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Chapter 23

A mirage of emotions flashed through his eyes. Once again he forwarded his hand toward Malika E Hindustan while beholding his intense gaze, Jodha shyly gave her forwarded her hand with an angelic smile on her face. As always he took a hold of her hand and squeezed gently with a mischievous smirk, then he slightly lowered and slurred teasingly in her ears "It's your turn to proclaim your love for me Junglee Billi."

She looked at him with a shock with the expression of 'No way'... Not here'. She gently nodded her head and looked down. Seeing her crimson pink cheeks, he grinned mysteriously, for a moment he forget they were surrounded by many people and every eye were viewing them keenly. He softly lifted her chin and mumbled "Jodha your innocent eyes speaks more than words, don't veil them from me. At a snail's pace she raised her beautiful hazel eyes, the way he was staring at her with intense love and contentment, she even forgot that they were in Diwan E Khaas. When this duo was lost in each other longer than thirty seconds, the crowd wheezed seeing their romantic gesture, and some of the jealous queens hissed with scornful giggle. Gradually dim humming whispers grew in the hall and soon turned into a mocking and teasing laugh. At the same time both of them become conscious, this time even, Jalal felt slightly awkward and shy. While looking at the Abdul he just smiled brazenly.

No doubt apparently everyone looked happy but many of the administrators fumed with the announcement inwardly. Malika E Hindustan title to a Hindu Queen, it was not easy to digest. His l court was filled with ninety percent Mughal's administrator and many maulvis. Most of them sensed bitterness with this sudden decision. Few desired to even argue but after seeing Jalal's keenness none of them dared to utter a word and kept their poker face with smile and agreement.

While perusing spectators, Jodha noticed two beautiful blissful teary eyes and the glowing face with genuine happiness. When Jodha's eyes behold a gaze at Hamida her lips curved into a content smile. All of a sudden, Jodha pulled Jalal's hand with a gentle tug, her face directed towards Mariam Makhani Hamida Banoo. Seeing unexplainable happiness on Hamida's face with content satisfaction and her mellowed eyes with tears of happiness he sincerely smiled back at his Ammi Jaan. It had been years since he saw this kind of pleasant happiness on his mother's face. For a moment all the hatred was forgotten... With Jodha, Jalal also instinctively moved towards his mother. Hamida's heart stopped beating for an instant when she noticed his lost son was walking towards her with a pleasing appearance...

Mother and son both looked at each other without a blink... But all of a sudden the bitterness took over Jalal, and he withdraws quickly while breaking his gaze from her. Jodha rapidly drew him little closer then she bends down to touch her feet out of respect and to get her blessing for the occasion... Jalal stood their confusingly, deep down he wanted her blessings as well but his Shahenshahi ego and past bitterness stilled him from bending even though for a change his noble head slightly bowed down out of admiration . Hamida's tears were still flowing... She put her hand on Jodha's head and blessed her with all the happiness in the world and prayed for an heir for the sultanate. Jodha and Jalal both looked at each other shyly hearing an heir blessing, Jodha blushed and Jalal smirked.

Jalal recalled his Ammi Jaan's concern for Jodha, in a polite tone he teased "As per your advice Ammi Jaan, I have not punished Queen Jodha for coming late to DWK but instead I have rewarded her."

Hamida grinned at his ironic tone. "Also, I have fulfilled your wish to bring back your beloved bahu!" Jalal finished the sentence emphasize your beloved bahu (daughter in law)'

Hamida amorously caressed his face... He instantly took a step back and flinched at her gentle touch but ignoring his hesitation she responded "Jalal I am not only happy to see Jodha in Agra but most intriguing is the positive and optimistic changes in Mughal Shahenshah" Once again with a contentment she blessed the couple for long happy life and many kids.

After many years son and mother both glanced at each other with love. It was too sentimental for both of them, in their silence both were sensing the change in their relation. She cleared her throat before guiding his son "Jalal, it is your responsibility to make sure that Queen Jodha doesn't have tears in her eyes. I have wiped her tears till now but now she is your responsibility... Make sure you always stand by her."

He simply nodded in agreement.

Before leaving regal old lady smiled at the duo walked out of the Diwan E Khaas with congealed posture and royal grace.

From the other corner, Maham Anga was observing at Jalal and Hamida with piercing gaze. She fumed inwardly noticing Jalal's gradual drew toward his mother Hamida banoo. Her heart pinched at a thought, for the first time in years Jalal went to Hamida banoo first to get blessings instead of her, but her shrill eyes and clever mind captured a view how Jodha indirectly impelling him towards her. Anger smeared over her face while silently she mumbled 'This Rajvanshi has begun to play her pawns.'

It was a late night and time for to dismiss the court... As per the ritual, the first time the emperor and Malika E Hindustan walk out together. Jodha's heart beat when he slurred dimly "Ready to begin our journey together Malika E Hindustan..."

She smiled shyly and stiffened her posture... He squeezed her hand and both took a step together while looking at each other contently. All of her feeling altered and her nervousness smeared away while walking regally with him... Just in one single day, everything reformed... Last night was filled with aching tears and today tears out of happiness were brimming in her eyes. Everything happened so fast, she was still in the dreamy state. She never thought Jalal would announce in front of the world that he is in love with her.

The moment was too extreme to abstract. She indeed felt exceptional and very superior. The people were bowing down to couple with gratification. Both of them held each other's hand and walked towards the gate.

While walking out Jodha's eyes caught Rukaiya's. Seeing her intense pain on her face and tears in her eyes, gave deep sting in her heart. She never aspired to snatch him or the power from Rukaiya.

Soon couple was again lost in each other. Jalal walked towards his chamber while holding her hand. She paused at the door and politely requested "Shahenshah it's late night, you must be tired so I am going back to my chamber... Good Night. "

Jalal was so lost in her, he didn't realize they walked towards his chamber and His ears only heard the Goodnight statement... In a firm tone he demanded, "Queen Jodha, you are not going anywhere."

She stirred closer to him and in dim tone muttered "Shahenshah you are forgetting that this is your chamber and you don't prefer to share your personal chamber with any of your queens."

"You are right Queen Jodha, I do not like to share and I will not share my chamber with my queens, but I would love to share my personal chamber with Malika E Hindustan." He mischievously smirked.

"Hmmm... Ohh" She smirked and teasingly responded while stretching her hands "But Malika E Hindustan is too tired and wants to rest for the night."

Jalal encircled his hands on her waist and flung her closer with a little jerk and sensually whispered: "But Shahenshah e Hindustan doesn't feel like resting tonight and wants to spend the entire night with Malika E Hindustan doing what we did in the morning."

She was unable to hide her blush from him while caressing his cheek she timidly responded in a dim tone in his ear "We have done it two times since morning... spare me tonight... and Shahenshah e Hindustan has to wake up early in the morning, so now good night my dear husband."

While rubbing his nose on her cheeks he responded: "I spent the entire day with my queen but now I want to spend my entire night with Malika E Hindustan."

She noticed guards, who were listening and enjoying their romantic talk all of them were blushing while looking down as they were close to the gate of the room. Jodha nervously signaled Jalal with her eyes pointing towards the gatemen and signaled him not to talk like this in front of them. She stubbornly stated while turning in the direction of her chamber "Good night Shahenshah I am going to my chamber."

Jalal pulled her hand and quickly carried her in his arms in front of all the gatemen without saying a word and walked inside his chamber.

His sudden move stunned her for a moment. While pretending to be angry she requested in a grumpy "Shahenshah let me go..."

Jalal smirked seeing her phony pretense. He gently made her sit on his huge round bed. She was feeling shy and excited but with her fake act she continued "Shahenshah, Let me go to my chamber and don't come near me."

Jalal purposely went closer and mischievously asked "Can you explain in detail... How much close should I not come Jodha begum??"

While looking in his she whispered, "Let me go."

Jalal wrapped his arms around her, rubbed his cheeks to hers and slowly whispered "Ohh Jodha... I can't stay without you for a single moment... I would like to crush you in my arms and cuddle you entire night...I want to be lost in your warm embrace... I can't tell you in words, how happy I am feeling today... Now onwards Malika -e - Hindustan will only rule on Jalalludin Mohammad's heart."

Jodha gazed at him without a blink and blushed heavily.

He sat next to her on the bed and nibbled on her cheeks softly then sensually murmured in her ears "Queen Jodha, your hazel brown eyes have intoxicated me... more I come closer to you, the more I thirst for you... you have charmed me and your eyes have done some magic spell on me...I can't see anything other than you."

Then slowly he smooched on her ears... She closed her eyes and hissed "Isshh Jalal... let me go please and don't seduce me."

Jalal kissed her again on her neck. She whispered "Ohhh... You are making me crazy for you... please stay away from me"

Jalal smirked and kissed on her earlobe. She murmured "Are you playing a game of seduction with me Jalal???)"

At last, he kissed her softly on her lips and pulled back to see her reaction. Her entire body trembled with his soft and sweet touch. He again kissed her with little more passion. His hand began to move around her bare waist and her eyes closed and she slowly she was relaxing her body towards him, his touch was making her restless. Within a few seconds passion ignited in her, she gave up her restraint and countered with a passionate kiss. Their lips created fire... Her hands rolled behind his neck and she pulled to kiss him wildly... She was straining her body towards him... She had a sudden urge for his touch... Now her desire was at the mountain. Her entire body was filled with enormous energy... Jalal knew she wanted more but to tease her Jalal slowly broke off the kiss and moved a little away from her and said impassively "Good Night Jodha begum!!"

Jodha looked at him and gave him a mischievous look and replied in the same impassive tone "Good Night Shahenshah..." She got up from the bed... which surprised Jalal, he was sure that her desire was at a peak and she won't leave... but with her sudden act he felt ignored, his manly ego felt hurt, Suddenly anger took over his mood. Unknown to the Jalal's sudden mood change Jodha continued playing the game of hiding and seek. She walked all the way to the door and then turned and looked back at him to see his expressions... he gave her fake smile by hiding his anger... She smirked naughtily and closed the door and came back to him.

Jalal's ego was bruised with her little act... he looked at her with anger and asked her in sarcastic tone "Jodha begum, why did you come back??? Please leave ... and for god sake do not worry about me... if you are too tired then no problem... You know very well my harem has five thousand women... I will find a way to spend my night???"

Even though her heart ripped at his words, she ignored his harsh statement and with a seductive gaze went closer to him and sat cautiously on the edge of the bed where he was sitting... She gently caressed his face and asked tenderly "Hmmm... Do you really want me to leave? Should I leave Shahenshah???"

Jalal fumingly moved her hand with jerk from his face and bawled in a thick tone "Yes!!! Leave."

Seeing his pale vulnerable face and angry eyes, she understood anger has taken over his senses... She took the challenge to defeat his anger, to please him once again she wrapped her hands around his neck and went close to his ears and whispered: "I won't be able to sleep without you, my love???"

His resentment captured his brainpower, her gentle tactic didn't reach to his heart... His stubborn mind and ego froze his senses to comprehend her simple tease. All of a sudden, he was feeling rejected and hurt. The feeling of love was too new to him, he never acquainted with the terms of pleasing a woman. As per his habitual routine, every night he just had to choose the woman. They were not only willing but desperate to spend the night with him. Almost every night, every one of them thanked him for choosing them... He had seen many time women fought and played dirty tactic with each other for him... They felt so obliged to him that they gladly go to any extent to give him all kind of sensual pleasure. He typically fucks them ruthlessly in a various way till he desires for his pleasure and in return, he simply presented them valuable jewels and silk fabrics before marching out of their bedrooms coldly with no string attached... There was hardly communication between them... it was plainly for his sensual pleasure. Rukaiya was the only one queen, he compromised and slept with her to satiate her carnal hunger, but even in that connection, Rukaiya was putting many efforts to please him... she was more than willing and adventurous when it comes to sexuality. All of his queens got what they yearned for in terms of material or power, but Jodha never aspired for anything not even the title of Malika E Hindustan. He was not used to crouching down or entertain anybody for anything and Jodha's denial was not acceptable to him. He was anticipating her to behave like any other women in his palace. Back of his mind, he granted her with the greatest reward he could offer to any of his queens therefore in return, he was demanding for her love... Unknowingly, he wanted her to satisfy him the way others did and acknowledge with appreciation what she was given...

Still, his mind was in the process of absorbing the distinction between given-take relation and love. His manly conceit ego was bruised to a point he wanted to forgive her but was incapable of controlling his anger.... He shifted his face to the other side and answered scornfully "Queen Jodha, you must be exhausted, leave me alone and sleep."

She was not ready to give up on his anger this easily, therefore, she nibbled on his ear and sensually bit on his cheeks.

Her sudden nip made him hostile, he viciously thrust her away from him. She nearly tripped on the marble floor, his sudden rude behavior traumatized her, it was unbearable, shortly tears began to slide from a corner of her hazel eyes, she dejectedly stammered in a heavy tone "Shahenshah please forgive me. I also can't live without you for a single moment, for your one little smile not only I am ready to surrender but ready take poison if you want. I desire you not only for a tonight but I aspire to spend my entire life in your embrace. I don't know how I disregarded that you have thousands of women to entertain you but I have only you and it's my duty to please you." Her own words pricked in her solace...

He was still staring at the other side. No response from him was killing her, eventually, she decided to proceed back to her chamber... She got up and twisted to depart but before she could leave the chamber he grabbed her wrist, and slurred in an inaudible tone "Wait."

She turned back towards him but was incompetent to view direct in his eyes for long. Her unstoppable tears and faint sob dissolved his stone heart. Sincere regret in his eyes was noticeable. He gently wiped her tears and captured her in his tight embrace. "Jodha, I can't see you in tears." In a remorseful tone, he mumbled while kissing on her forehead.

She rested her head on his chest while sobbing loudly. He caressed her back and let her cry until she felt released.

After a long pause of silence, in a pitiful cracking tone, she droned "Shahenshah, one day your anger will divide us forever and I won't be able to survive without your love."

Jalal hold her face gently and apologized "Please forgive me, I really don't know what happened to me suddenly, why I got so angry? Jodha remember, I don't want anyone else to love me other than you. Your ignorance... your rejection... killed me inwardly. You are my life, my solace, and no one can separate us, not even my anger."

"Shahenshah, I was simply teasing and your sudden anger scared me... you threatened me. I don't understand how to behave anymore. I will be more conscious and careful in future but please don't punish me like this ever again, I can't see hatred in your eyes. My heart will stop breathing in case of separation." Jodha replied gloomily.

"I don't want you to be conscious... Our relation is too different it will take me some time to adapt but please don't change yourself for me, I just want you the way you are. I Promise, I will improve myself." While holding her face, studying in her eyes he assured.

"Promise?" She queried.

He nodded his head with surety.

She glanced at him with a hint of a smile... he kissed on her cheeks and once again seized her in his embrace and uttered, "I am sorry."

After a while he casually directed "You take rest on the bed, I would like to change this heavy attire and be back soon."

'Shahenshah I want to change too but I am afraid you will think, I am still upset that is why going to my chamber.' While sitting on his bed a simple thought ran down her brain.

As if he heard her thoughts, he opened the armoire and gave her a pure silk red night robe and informed, "I personally ordered this nightwear for you for our first night... if you wish, then you can wear this tonight or you can send someone to your chamber for your night clothes."

She was again surprised with his sudden politeness and care, she grinned enigmatically and grabbed nightwear from him. After taking off her heavy jewelry, she went into dressing room...

He came out wearing only his night pant and was lounging on the bed while waiting for her. She felt awkward and shy wearing deep cut sleeveless and backless long nighty which was too revealing. Just to cover her back she left her long shiny hairs to fall over her back... While struggling to shield herself, she came out of the room.