Love!!! A sarcastic dim smile curled on his lips with disappointment.

How imprudent is she? She won't accept me until we both in love. Love and me not possible. Her sweet, sour, and bitter words were drumming in his ears again and again; her utterance touched his spirit. Jalal was in the court chamber surrounded by many talented administrators. Even though they were discussing crucial and sensitive matters, he was unable to concentrate. His mind was too distracted, and his ears were ringing repetitively.

Subterranean thoughts took control over his mind; he questioned himself, 'Why am I so concerned about what she said??? Why every word of her impact me to this intense? Do I have a heart??? Is it possible, can I ever love her with my heart? My hands never shiver while killing enemies. I know that I am cruel and harsh; I do not feel any emotion while punishing offenders. No, I do not have a heart. I cannot love anyone. Does that mean my people do not love me, just because I do not love them with my heart? I have given them my childhood, my day, and night. I keep them well-secured and worry about their need. Don't I deserve respect from them? Why does Jodha think that they don't respect me or pretend to love me out of fear? She is wrong; she does not know my people; they worship me, does not matter; I love them or not; they all love me as their king. He was utterly upset by her views and conclusion; one side court was running, and on the other side, his mind was occupied with analyzing her words.

But I have always seen the fear in their eyes, even most ministers, administrators' shivers while talking to me; I guess they have my fear out of respect. Queen Jodha does not know anything, and she is so innocent and divine even to understand real politics and power; in this game, no one is your friend or relative. If I start taking my decisions with my heart, people will have no fear of their king, no one will follow orders, pay taxes, and everything will be ruined.

Finally, he concluded that her thoughts are making him confuse and weaker, and She is not a good influence on him, so he better stay away from her.

But his heart was not ready to give up so easily and diverted his mind.

I have already surrendered my ego to her and accepted her as my queen, but what she wants is my heart, which has already been dead long back. She clearly stated that she would not accept me unless we both are in love with each other. But love makes people weak; as soon as the heart starts beating, the brain stops working. I cannot let my heart take over my brain.

Disappointedly, he said to himself in silence, 'Queen Jodha, we can never be together. You believe in love, and I believe in rule, fear, and power. I am the king of the kings. I want to see the fear in the common people's eyes, fear of The Jalaluddin Muhammad. I want them to be scared of punishment for not following rules. Jalal is famous for his cruelty, and there is no space for love in his life. Our destiny can never be together.'

Leaving her thoughts behind, Jalal was back to his cruel and merciless judgment. That is how he had grown up under the shadow of Behram Khan and Maham Anga.

At a very young age, he saw the cruelty on himself. When he was merely 13, his own uncle tried to kill him for power after his father's death. He was exposed to a callous life at a very tender age, which made him ruthless. Maham and The Military general Behram khan trained and molded the young kid and made him the king. He spent his entire youth in wars, betrayal, and blood and battlefields. These battlefields created a hunger in him to win power, Supreme power over the entire Hindustan. When this young kid needed his mother to nourish him, he was brutally killing people, and she was busy saving the kingdom for him. Her negligence generated deep silent bitterness and anger towards his mother and life. Gradually he got detached from her. Hungry for motherly love, the poor kid found comfort in the arms of his Badi Ammi Maha Manga; unfortunately, her motive was to use him to gain power. Little by little, he gained a lot of power with his hungry killer merciless sword and made himself a successful king of the kings at this young age. His long vision, commanding power, and multi-layered personality made him an expert in manipulation. He became a shrewd politician. Soon he got surrounded by selfish people. He shut his own emotions, closed his heart, and made up his mind that everyone loves him for his power or their own selfish needs, making him extremely egoistic, rude, and short-tempered.

His foundation was based on the mantra.

Power Is Everything, Go To Any Extent To Gain It,

People Only Respect Others Out Of Fear.

Do Not Trust Anyone, Not Even Your Own Shadow.

Everyone Around You Wants Something From You.

Love Makes A Man Weak.

After Behram Khan's death, Maham Anga tactfully controlled his judgments and his thinking some level; Maham Anga hated Hindus; Hindu people were treated very poorly at that time; they had to pay extra taxes, they were not allowed in many places, and many of them were forced to change their religion. Overall, it was not a fair kingdom; after many years of blindly following this, Jalal also started to think that Hindu people are not that trustworthy.

Jalal's original foundation by his father Humanyu and Hamida banoo was still strong; he often took decisions unknowingly with his heart. For example- He never agreed with Adham or Behram khan to kill or arrest all the soldiers and the king after winning the war. He thought that if the defeated king wants to surrender and then give them proper respect. He knew what he was doing was not fair in his heart, but he didn't want to admit it.

Ever since Jodha came into his life, he was going through many emotions like love, hate, aggravation, mystification, delusion, rejection, which he had never experienced in his life.

Jodha had unknowingly dropped a stone in still water and took away his peace. After their marriage, he was not able to sleep peacefully, even for one night. He wanted to make her life miserable, but she made his life puzzling and more confusing without doing anything. Her words were crushing his pride gradually. Jodha was altering him; she was showing him the real truth. It was surprising and disturbing for him to know how simply she read him clearly and said, you are alone among thousands; she bluntly said the stuff he feared to even think in his thoughts. His every act gave him the guilt, and she told him without fear. He always knew that no one truly loves him, but hearing from her was hard for him to accept.

Jalal wanted to satisfy his bruised ego. Unknowingly deep down, he began to desire for her pure and selfless love. He wanted to feel loved by someone, so he decided to see Rukaiya. She was the only one he could open his feelings, and he knew since he got married to Jodha, he overlooked Rukaiya.

Jalal's disregard was hurtful for Rukaiya, but she knew he would come back to her after a while. Their relationship was based on friendship and trust in each other.

Jalal went to Queen Rukaiya's chamber without any announcement. He saw Rukaiya was standing in front of the mirror, fixing her makeup; he slowly walked by and grabbed her from her back. Suddenly warmth of her touch evoked his desire to be loved and ignited his suppressed longing; before she could say anything, he began kissing her on her neck with passion.

At first, she got surprised by his sudden kiss and unexpected passion. She quickly freed herself from him and moved away to show her anger for his negligence, without saying a word. Jalal turned her towards him and kissed her again; before she could say anything, he possessed her lips with his and whispered, "Rukaiya, I want to hear that you want me... you desire me. I am you're, everything."

Before Rukaiya could come out of this sudden passion, he moved further and carried her in his arms and softly put her on the bed; he demanded firmly once again, "Say it, Rukaiya,"

Seeing lust and desperation in his eyes, without wasting a second, she responded, "Jalal, I want you, and you are my life; please take me, kiss me, hug me." The desperation in her tone darkens his eyes and soon turned into action.

He hungrily claimed her mouth, then roughly opened her blouse, while passionately began to kiss on her lips, collar born, neck. Soon gentleness converted with excitement; he bit on her small curvy breast. He cupped one of her breasts harshly so he can suck on her aroused nipple. She moaned loudly with his sweet torture. "Jalal"

He was impatient and hungry for love. In a few seconds, all of the clothes and Jewelry were on the floor. Since Jodha came into his life, this was the first time he desired women.

The first time Rukaiya felt he was demanding and craving for her touch, he was angry but desperate, he was wild and rough, but the first time she felt loved by him. His kisses were shouting desire for her; after many years, she felt he wanted to worship her, even though he was coarse and harsh, yet she felt the gentleness in his touch. He demanded her to beg for him not once, again and again. She moaned loudly and pleaded with him to sink inside her and take her to the edge of passion. He was aroused to his extreme fullness, he was pounding deep inside passionately, his eyes were close, but his grip was loving and caring. She reached climax not once but many times; it was the longest sensual encounter between them in her entire life. At some point, she felt his unsatisfied need. He was not ready to release him inside her; he was throbbing inside her with relentless speed, to feel the completeness he was longing for. Finally, his body gave up, his sensual touch took her to heavenly pleasure, but he didn't felt content. At last, all of his energy drained after an hour of riding on her. He released inside her with a loud yell and crashed on top of her.

Both of them were panting loudly even after five minutes of rest.

Rukaiya noticed the change in his touch; she had never felt this much desire and possessiveness in his lovemaking before.

His eyes were still closed, but he looked restless! He realized while making love with Rukaiya, he was thinking about Jodha in the bed. He was aroused to his extreme just by the thought of her in the bed. He was consciously making out with Rukaiya, but unconsciously he was with Jodha only. His mind and body were slowly losing control over himself. Even after this long session, his body was unsatisfied.

The realization of being unfair to Queen Rukaiya gave him a deep ache in his heart; immediately, guilt spread on his face; he did not see in Rukaiya's eyes.

Rukaiya also felt a big alteration in Jalal, his sudden hunger. His touch was incredibly unusual. He never made a move this zealously and aggressively; both of them were silently lost in their thoughts.

After dressing up, Rukaiya hugged him with love and asked him straight, "Why do I feel that you have changed? Your touch and love were not the same; it felt like you have renewed. I can't tell what, but something was different about you today?"

Jalal did not want to hurt her, hide his guilt, he replied, masking his emotion. "Why? Didn't you enjoy it?"

She blushed shyly and said, "Oh Jalal, I have never experienced this much passionate love from you before. I felt like your touch was pouring so much love for me. First time ever, I felt you desire me and worship me... I feel complete today with your touch and love. I feel like you loved me for the first time. "

Hearing the word LOVE' again and again from Rukaiya, Jalal lost all of his wits with his temper and got extremely mad. He shouted, "Stop it, QUEEN JODHA, how many times I have told you, I don't have a heart, and I don't love anyone."

He immediately realized what he has said! Jalal got dumbfounded and shocked at himself. COMPLETE SILENCE... He didn't know what to say?? Instantly, he knew he had hurt Rukaiya to the extreme. She never admitted, but he knew that Rukaiya loves him.

Silence has its own language, his face filled with extreme guilt; he had no strength left to perceive in Rukaiya's eyes. Jalal also loved her, but as a close friend and companion only. He decided to leave her chamber, but before he could leave, Rukaiya held his hand; she wanted to verify once again in his eyes. He looked back with immense remorse in his eyes; at last, tears pricked out of her eyes. She realized Jalal came to see Jodha, not her. He was pouring all his love on Jodha, not her. She released his hand and ran out of his sight. Jalal was still standing there, frozen in his place with a repentant face, saw her running away from him with tears and pain.

Jalal realized his mind and heart were both entirely captured by Jodha.

Other Side!

Jodha was feeling much relieved after talking to him about her feelings; suddenly, her face was shimmering with an unpredictable smile; she wanted to tell everything to Reva and Moti about what happened. How she got lost in his arms under the tree, their first kiss, his passionate desire for her, his strong grip, all those moments were giving her goosebumps and butterflies in her stomach; her face glowed with a pink blush. She talked to herself, oh, I was so wrong about him, he is so loving and caring, and little by little, her heart was opening for him.

It was almost evening; Moti came back and saw Jodha lost in deep thoughts and smiling mischievously. She could tell she was charmed by Jalal. "Where are you lost, Jodha, In Jalal's arms?" She asked playfully

A sudden giggle snapped Jodha. "Moti, stop teasing me and listen. I have to tell you a lot of things." She briefly told about what happened and with so much contentment.

The two friends were chatting and lost in their talk and never realized Maham Anga was standing outside, listening to their whole conversation.

Hearing about Jalal and Jodha, Maham got witlessly mad; she never thought Jalal would come this close to her. Lastly, Maham came inside Jodha's chamber and gave her the velvety green roll of the message. Her sudden arrival shocked Jodha and Moti both. Instantly Jodha got up and respectfully thanked Vajire Aliya Maham Anga and took the message from her.

Before leaving, Maham gave her evil guise and left.

Jodha got surprised and excited to see a letter from Sujamal bhaisa (brother). This was the first time she heard from him after her he left Amer forever. She was also worried for him; she knew he was feeling betrayed by Amer. She knew her father was not fair to him, Sujamal deserved to be the next king, and greedily his father, King Bharmal, chose his real brother even though he was braver and well deserving. Even though Sujamal was a cousin's brother, she loved him more than his real brother; their bond was unspeakable; he was not only his brother but also trained in archery and sword. She respected him as his Guru (teacher) as well. But this disputer did not impact their brother-sister relation, even though King Bharmal kicked him out of his kingdom when he opposed his unfair decision. As soon as she read the letter, all of the memory came back in a swift of the moment. She got surprised to read that Sujamal wanted to see her twenty miles away from the Jungle cottage's palace, and he had also mentioned not to inform anyone.

She knew that he was alone and very much in pain, so she decided to see him in the morning. It was a challenging task for her to leave the palace without anyone's permission, but she decided to take the risk to see Sujamal.

Maham was watching Jodha's reaction, and her wicked smile came on her face!!!

"Moti, I will have to go see Sujamal bhaisa; there must be something essential that he wants to meet me." Jodha anxiously said while reading the letter.

"Jodha, you need to tell Shahenshah before you go, don't hide anything from him; he is your husband," Moti replied with guiding tones.

"Moti, Sujamal is my brother; how can I betray him? When he specifically mentioned not to inform anyone, there must be some reason behind, and I don't know much about Shahenshah yet; what if he arrest him or something, now Amer is under Mughal's protection and Sujamal bhaisa is enemy of Amer."

"But Jodha, how will you go out of the palace without his consent? As per Shahenshah's condition, don't you have to spend the night with him tonight, then how will you manage?" Moti replied confused

Jodha playfully gazed at her and said, "Moti, have you forgotten how many times I have run out of the palace in Amer? Just inform Raman to prepared my horse for tonight bring it backside of the palace. Don't worry; I will manage."

Jodha's worries disappeared as soon as she realized that she would spend the night with Jalal. In a swift, her tone got louder in excitement. "Oh my god, Moti... I have to get ready and do a lot of things."

Moti just smirked back at her, seeing Jodha picking out her favorite dress, Jewelry, and ordering Moti to fix her hair. Then quickly, she finished the daily evening prayer and Aarti. Same as Jalal, she was not able to concentrate on her prayer.

After prayer, there was some time left for sunset, so she went out for a walk in Jalal's garden. It was a pleasant and calm climate; there were lots of clouds dancing in the sky and making surrounding soothing; her mind and heart were feeling so peaceful that she felt like dancing and singing with them. Her eyes caught a very little white rabbit running around in the garden; she began to run behind to catch the Rabbit like a little child; her innocent face had a genuine smile.

Jalal watched her running behind the Rabbit from his chamber; he got lost in her giggle and was happy to see Jodha's mischievous smile. He had waited so long for this smile. The race between Jodha and the little Rabbit was still going on. The Rabbit was also playing with Jodha. The Rabbit ran and hid behind trees and waited for Jodha to come and again run away from her. After a while, she started to giggle out loud when she realized Rabbit was really waiting for her to catch him.

When he saw her giggling, Jalal again forgets what he decided, and couldn't hold himself longer, swiftly he came out from his chamber to the garden. Jodha didn't realize Jalal was walking towards her, and suddenly when Rabbit saw Jalal, the little one got scared and turn to hide. Jodha also turned behind the Rabbit but crashed into Jalal. She lost her balance and was about to fall, but Jalal pulled her by her wrist and glided his hand around her waist to hold her and save her from falling. They were hugging each other in no time.

Jalal became conscious and pushed her away softly. Jodha was utterly lost in his arms, breathing profoundly. She also realized and pushed herself away from him with a little blush.

Jalal observed her tinted pink cheeks; her eyes were down. He just smirked.

While glancing at her beauty, he asked, "Jodha, do you want to walk with me?"

Jodha nodded her head shyly in a yes.

They both walked in complete silence, and both of them didn't know what to say.