Ranisa: Jodha's Monther (Queen Mainavati)

Jamaisa: Son in law (Jalal)

Sindoor: Sindoor is traditionally applied at the beginning or completely along the parting-line of a woman's hair (also called maang) or as a dot on the forehead ("bindi" in Hindi). Sindoor is the mark of a married woman in Hinduism. Single women wear the dot in different colors but do not apply sindoor in their maang. Widows do not wear sindoor, signifying that their husband is no longer alive. The sindoor is first applied to the woman by her husband on her wedding day; this is called the Sindoor Dana ceremony. After this, she applies it herself every day. (Wikipedia)

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Chapter 13 part 3

Queen Mainavati heard the complete conversation between Jodha and Jalal. The entire scenario got cleared in a moment. Now she understood why Jodha had altered so drastically. Why she was keeping herself away from everyone. Intense pain in her eyes; Deep sorrow on her face; Her silence; Her fake smile. All of the questions got answered within a second. Her eyes got filled with tears hearing the word 'whore' for a second her Rajvashi blood boiled up with fuming rage, but it cooled off in a second when she saw true regret in his eyes. she looked at the real side of Jalal. She could feel each of his words coming out of his heart, and each word was filled with penetrating guilt and repent for his action. Even though he is a king of kings, a Shahenshah, he bowed down and apologized wholeheartedly. His unstoppable tears were shouting out to her that he loves Jodha more than his life.

While walking out, Jodha overlooked Queen Mainavati, who was standing in the corner. Jodha ran out with a pool of tears in her eyes.

Jalal was completely traumatized by Jodha's reaction. He could sense that she has become like stone. There was not a single impact on her of his repentance and apology. Instead of love, her eyes sparkled at him with fire. His entire body froze when he comprehends that he has lost her forever. His entire world crashed down; he grasped that he will never get his Jodha back; her hatred towards him has vanished all of her feelings for him. He had no strength left to stand; his knees felt jello. He collapsed on the ground in a helpless, shaken, and traumatized condition. His face turned bloodshot red and tears were flowing like a constrain river flooding out freely. After seeing her stony eyes, his courage and faith to bring her back to Agra completely abolished, he had no other option left than leaving Amer and repent for his entire life.

About fifteen minutes later, Jalal felt someone's hand on his shoulder; it was Queen Mainavati.

He swiftly got up and turned towards the other side to hide his pitiful, weak condition from her. But in one glimpse, he observed her dreadful teary condition. He immediately grasped that she had heard the entire conversation.

Queen Mainavati sympathetically put her hand on Jalal's shoulder. "Jamaisa, (Son In law), I know you have made a grave unforgivable mistake; if I knew beforehand, I would have not even allowed you to step in my door." She said in a stern tone

"Please forgive me, Ranisa," Jalal mumbled in a low tone while lowering his gaze down with a gesture of guilt.

"Jamaisa, I have already forgiven you, just because I have seen your true shame and guilt for your deed. I can see you have put your ego aside and bend down, and accepted your mistake. But unfortunately, I can't say the same for Jodha; I don't know how she will forgive you. You have betrayed her trust. You have disgraced her and demeaned her the worst way any husband could do. Now it is your responsibility to win her trust back. You have to gather your strength back to conquest Jodha's heart once again. You have to give her some time; I can assure you that she still loves you, but she is smashed by your blames. To win her heart again will be the biggest challenge. Jodha is very stubborn, once she decides something, it's not easy to change her mind, but you are the only person who can smile back on her life. The only reason I still have a slight hope that she might," She paused and requested, "Come with me, Jamaisa."

Jalal walked with her weakly, as if she was the last hope left in his life. She took him to a Jodha's art room. The room was filled with beautiful and amazing paintings. There were a few paintings; those were covered with red velvety clothes.

Mainavati pointed towards paintings and said, "Jamaisa, these paintings are made by Jodha. This entire month, she was in this room painting, and she has painted these covered paintings since she came from Agra. When you look at these, you will realize why I still see some hopes." She blessed him and walked out of the room, leaving him alone with the paintings.

The entire painting was filled with fire with a color of an orange burning blaze, and Jodha was standing in between the fire; her tears were turning into the fire. She was burning from inside.

He took two steps backward when he saw this painting; his heart shattered into pieces seeing her in this condition. He felt as if someone had poured acid on him.

.

In this painting, In the Jungle, Jalal runs towards her like an angry wild devil tiger. His eyes were spitting fire. His sword was dripping blood.

Jalal couldn't believe he looked that devilish in anger. He felt ashamed of himself.

After looking at the 2nd painting, he had no hope left for her mercy. He gathered the strength to see the next,

He was dragging her out of the darkroom while pulling her hair. Everyone was standing looking at him, shocked.

He realized how heartless and cruel he was, the ache in his heart grew deeper. This painting shattered all his courage and faith.

Before he loses all of his strength to see further,

He was slapping her in front of everyone; her eyes were filled with tears. He looked like a monster.

He felt like an unknown force was constricting his throat tightly, making it harder to breathe. The feeling of suffocation was killing his last ounce of energy and courage. His eyes got filled with tears and intense pain. He had no courage left to remove the cloth from the next painting. But he could not control himself to see what she has gone through, with trembling hands. He slowly removed the cloth to see the 5th painting.

It was Jalal's painting. He was sleeping peacefully in Jodha's chamber, and Jodha was in a white soldier attire, looking at him with deep intense love with a peaceful smile on her face.

This painting showed how deeply she adored him. He was surprised to see this immense love in her eyes. Then, with curiosity, quickly, he moved on to the next painting.

This painting was the most precious moment they spend together. In this painting, both were sleeping next to each other under the big tree by the pond; Jodha's head was resting on his shoulder with divine peace on their faces.

This painting was the memory of their first kiss. The first time both accepted each other and lost in that moment. It was a treasurable moment; they were close to each other's hearts for the first time. Jalal's face gleamed with happiness to see this painting, their first beautiful moment together. Suddenly his heart started beating again, seeing this beautiful painting. Jodha still thinks about our beautiful moment together; the thought sends millions of vibes of hope inside his depressed and hopeless soul.

It was the time when Jalal tried to kiss her in the garden, there was a little rabbit around them, and she was blushing! The orange glow of the sun was making her more bashful.

Jalal was very surprised to know that she still remembers all their beautiful moments. Suddenly his somber face started glowing with a hopeful smile.

Jalal was kissing her on the bed. Half of his body was resting on her. Her eyes were closed, but the deep blush was clearly visible on her face.

That was their most sensual and beautiful moment together! This painting brought the biggest and cheerful smile with a blush on his face.

Jalal realized she still loves him; she loves him a lot. She is still thinking about their precious moments; little by little, her anger is cooling down. 'She loves me more than she hates me.' His hopes came back. He realized that he needs to be around her all the time. He needs to give her some time. His smile came back, and he said, "Awww! Jodha, you are an amazing artist. Your talent has saved me; you are not my challenge; you are my life. I have to win this battle of my life."

Jalal started thinking about how he can get her back. She is not even ready to talk to him. If he tried being polite with her, she will eat him up all the way and kick him out of Amer with her harsh behavior. It's not a good tactic. He thought of something and smirked mischievously and mumbled. 'Hmmm, Queen Jodha, I will win you back by hook or by crook.

Jalal was in Jodha's chamber and resting on Jodha's bed while planning the strategy for his next move and recalling all those beautiful paintings of their beautiful moments and didn't realize when sleep took over him.

He fell asleep on a Jodha's bed.

Jodha came back to her chamber to get ready for the administrator's daily meeting'. She closed the door quickly and got some clothes to change. Jalal heard some noise in his sleep; he recalled, he was resting in her bed. She was so much in a rush that she didn't notice Jalal was sleeping on her bed. She took off her chunni; Jalal slowly opened his eyes and saw her changing clothes. He just smirked seeing her without chunni; her backless blouse, low cut skirt (Chania), and curvy waist made her look more sensually beautiful. She was almost ready to open her blouse, but before that, Jalal made a noise with his throat to warn her... "hhh...ahhh." She swiftly turned back and saw him lying on her bed. She got shocked, seeing him, and she quickly covered her bosom with her hands.

"What are you doing here?" She shouted angrily.

Jalal couldn't hold his laugh seeing her annoyed and embarrassed mixed expressions.

Seeing him laughing shamelessly made her even more annoyed; she yelled, "What is so funny?? Stop laughing and leave from my life and Amer."

Jalal, with an intense gaze, walked slowly towards her with a mischievous grin on his face. She began to take backward steps with each step that Jalal took towards her. Finally, Jalal trapped her between his hands and the wall.

"Shahenshah, leave me alone and get out of my chamber. Don't you understand that I hate you!" She said in a fuming tone while pushing him.

He softly muttered, "Queen Jodha, I know that you hate me, but I don't hate you" then he continued in a genuine tone, "Jodha, I have missed you so much; this entire month, I was not able to sleep one peaceful night." Then softly, he kissed on her cheeks, sweetly, and gazed at her beautiful face. She closed her eyes and turned her face away from him. He cupped her face in his hands, and pleading tone said, "Jodha, please forgive me. I can't live without you."

Jodha opened her eyes with rage and replied, "NEVER," and harshly pushed him away and took her chunni from the table and swiftly covered herself and opened the door and firmly said, "LEAVE" Her sound trembled like she was about to cry.

Jalal softly smiled at her but kept himself calm.

"What is so funny? Stop laughing and leave my chamber." She asked in an agitated tone

He teasingly said, "Jodha, Do you know your nose and cheeks turn red when you are angry, and you look so cute in the red nose. I feel like kissing you again and again." His cute compliment, Jodha couldn't control her blush, but she turned her back towards him to hide it. "Shahenshah, leave. I don't want to see your face ever again." Her words were harsh, but her sound did not match the pace; her tone was shivering, and her body trembled to break down.

Jalal once again gulped his insults and replied, "Queen Jodha, it's our chamber till I am in Amer."

"Don't you have any self-respect? Don't you get it, I hate you?" Tears began to dribble down from her cheeks.

Jalal felt hurt by her rude and harsh words, but he knew what he had done was nothing compared to this. So he swallowed his pride and said, "No, Jodha begum! I know you don't hate me, you probably think that you hate me, but I know you can't hate me from your heart."

"You know what, think whatever you want to think, but I will never forgive you," Jodha replied in a frustrated tone.

Jalal dejectedly leered at Jodha then walked out of her chamber sadly.

When Mainavati entered the divan, Jalal and Bharmal were discussing current political issues Amer was facing. "Shahenshah, most of Rajvanshi has cut the relation with Amer, and in this situation, your sudden unannounced visit could put you in danger. Most of the Rajvanshi awaiting for the opportunity to capture you." King Bharmal concernedly said

"King Bharmal, don't worry, I can handle the entire troop myself alone, and half of my life I have spent on war field and also, for the security reason I came here unannounced, even in Agra no one knows that I have come to Amer," Jalal replied evenly.

Before their conversation continued, Queen Mainavati came to inform about the final ritual of ' Havan.'

"What is this Havan for??" Jalal, with curiosity, asked.

"It's a tradition, and the last ritual of the wedding; in this ritual, husband and wife take their seven promises (vows) again and sit in the prayer together and pray to god for their happy married life," Mainavati explained.

Jalal was very pleased to hear that he asked, "When will this Havan has organized with an exciting tone?"

Mainavati could read Jalal's expression and understood why he was so excited; with a grin, she replied, "In two hours, but before this havan, you need to retake a bath and need to wear new clothes."

Jalal agreed with his eyes expression.

Queen Mainavati went to Jodha's room to inform about Havan. Jodha, with a smile, welcomed her Masa.

Mainavati informed, "Jodha, today I have organized 'Satyanarayana Bhagavan's Havan' for you and jamaisa, for your happiness and long married life. It's the final custom of your marriage."

"Masa, I have no interest in this Havan. I don't want to sit in the Havan." Jodha dryly replied

Mainavatil politely took Jodha's hand in hers and made her sit on the bed.

While caressing her cheeks, Mainavati replied, "Jodha, I am your mother, and I know something is going on between you and Jamaisa, which is not right. In the last month, I have not seen a real smile on your face. My dear, don't take marriage as an easy relation which you can break with no trouble. When two people decide to spend the entire life and stay under the same roof, a problem will surely happen, and you have to give some time. It takes a long time to establish trust with each other. In the beginning, both of them make mistakes, but that doesn't mean you don't forgive each other."

Jodha replied with the argument, "But Masa, some mistakes are unforgivable."

Mainavati, with deep sorrow, said, "Jodha, I agree with you, some mistakes are inexcusable, but it also depends on the individual, how they repent for it. If a person feels guilty for his action, he or she should get one opportunity. Even god forgives the person who repents for his mistakes with heart."

Jodha, with a low tone, replied, "But Masa... I want you to hear me out, then tell me how I can forgive him."

"Jodha... Remember my advice forever, no matter what happens between you and your husband, it should stay between you two. If you involve me today, I might lose respect for Shahenshah, and tomorrow you will forget your dispute with him, but it will impact our relationship forever. I don't know whose fault it is, but I want you and him to talk it out and resolve it."

Jodha nodded her head, disappointedly.

When Mainavati realized Jodha is still not fully convinced, she tactfully said, "Jodha, you know that you have two younger sisters, and if something goes wrong with your marriage, then they will end up compensating for it. So you have to think and act as an elder sister as well. You are much matured; I don't need to tell you that your relationship also has a political effect on Amer too."

Jodha looked at her mother helpless; she felt shooting pain rip through her chest when she grasped how vulnerable condition; then with deep sorrow on her face and a few tears in her eyes, she said in a low tone, "Masa, Why always women have to worry for everything... why always it has to be meee who has to compromise?" Shivering sound of pain escaped from her lips mixed with sobs

Mainavati just smirked sadly and replied calmly, "I wish I had the answer to your question, my child, but I don't. Go and get ready in two hours for havan. Here are your clothes and Jewelry" then she walked out of the room gracefully and said to herself. 'Oh Jodha, I know you very well; how stubborn you are, and Jalal made the biggest mistake of his life, but I saw pure love in his eyes for you. He deserves one more chance. Forgive me for forcing you this way, you may feel today that I was harsh, but you will understand me better later.'

Jodha was in her chamber, thinking about what happened since Jalal came. How desperately he searched for her and how he controlled his anger even after she humiliated him in front of her family. He searched for her for hours and hours. His sincere apology, deep pain on his face, and tears in his eyes, he also didn't react when she shouted at him angrily. She insulted him and kicked him out of her chamber; she could sense her painful words were shattering him. All these thoughts diluted her anger a little bit. Ultimately, a very faint smile crawled slowly on her face, and she went to get ready.

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