"Shahenshah I want to speak to you about something very important... but-" In a hesitant tone, she left the sentence in a mid-way.

Jalal in a dense tone mumbled while skimming her expression "Hmm... go on."

"I would like to discuss Queen Rukaiya, last night in Diwan E Khaas your announcement shocked everyone including her. Somewhere I felt you were unfair towards your childhood friend and chief Queen... as per my view, you should have well-versed her before you declared in Diwan E Khas. When I beheld her gaze last night, my heart splintered seeing the immense pain on her face, and very first time I noticed tears were brimming in her eyes. I have never seen this deep grief before in her eyes, it was clearly visible she felt you have deceived her, or snatched what was hers. Therefore, I am requesting you, please reassure her before Diwan E Khas today." In a cautious but polite tone, Jodha requested.

"Malika E Hindustan, my dearest Malika... come, sit next to me." Jalal forwarded his hand towards Jodha.

The way he addressed her, a hazy blush sprinkled her face, she graciously took a seat next to him.

While resting his hand on her hands, he continued in persuasive tone "Queen Jodha, this is all manipulation tactic it will take time for you to grasp. She was endeavoring to gain sympathy from others. I understand you are too new to all this but in Mughal Darbar (court) people give importance to individual according to their title, power and once in awhile to intellect, besides all this I have already given Queen Rukaiya her chosen title a long time ago and she knew that Malika-e- Hindustan position was never hers. I have also noticed the sorrow in her eyes but the fact is I love you, and it doesn't matter she consent it or not she has to comply this fact... I am not saying she doesn't love me, but for her power comes before me. This is the first time that any other queen's title is superior to hers but you don't worry, she is also close to my heart and my friend, I don't want to see tears in her eyes as well... I will make her understand that her importance will remain same but I admit, you are right I should have conferred to her last night.

"Shahenshah, Can I request you for one more courtesy." While caressing on Jalal's cheek she asked modestly.

"Yes."

"Please do not punish Queen Pinaz... You have already humiliated her enough publically, I don't want her to work for me, It's very disgraceful and embarrassing." She pleaded considerately.

Witnessing her innocence, purity and care for others Jalal was unable to hold himself. He whispered in her ears erotically "As you wish Malika -e- Hindustan..." Then slowly he inclined, put both his hands on the couch while capturing her in between. His unexpected move made her lean backward. She almost slanted down on the couch. His sharp bronzed orbs approved the view of her swollen bosom which was rising and falling towards his chest. Jalal leaned down

The way his hands stroked her waist demandingly and his skilled tongue began to lick slowly on her neck and below her ear, preciously at her sweet rousing part, she raised her neck to give him easy access, she moaned "Please...Shahenshah."

He continued licking and nipping on the same teasing spot... while his hand swiftly opened the tie of her blouse and before she could comprehend further his hand traveled inside. Once again she moaned dimly. He loved for a change she didn't deny or stopped him. He massages on her breast slowly and teasingly while arousing her every sensation. Her body was tilting further and further towards him. The pulsation on her neck and lurid massage on her bosom made her wobbly. Before Jalal could make his move further, a guard from outside informed "Shahenshah, Atgah Sahib has instructed me to inform you that the guest from Persia Lord Kamir Sahib has arrived.

Jalal annoyingly yelled while getting up "Takliya. (Privacy)"

With a swift move Jodha got up from the couch while fixing her clothes she mumbled, "Shahenshah it's time for prayer so, let me leave please."

He took a deep sigh out and responded, "You right Jodha, it's a hell busy day ahead, two kings and eight Subedar (Administrator) are going to attend Diwan E Khaas today, also I have summoned proficient policymaker from Persia to discuss the major conflict with Gondwana king and Mahakoshal king and this matter is too sensitive. They have accepted Mughal supremacy but requested for virtual sovereignty."

"Shahenshah, I have heard you sleep only four hours in a night and do administrative work rest of the time. Is it true?" Sensing pressure on his sound, Jodha asked in a worried tone.

He deeply inhaled "Hmm... Jodha the supreme power and title of Shahenshah come with many compromises and burden... My one single wrong move can destroy many lives, but I am blessed I only have to worry about the security of Mughal borders and majority administrative decision regulated by Badi Ammi. And a question to your answer is yes when I am in Agra, most of the days I get to sleep few hours only."

"Ohh... So how frequently you have to go out of the Agra Shahenshah." Jodha asked sadly

After a long pause of silence, he replied in composed tone "About six to nine months in a year and if any major battle is going on than sometimes longer than a year."

Silence prevailed for longer than few seconds, her face turned pale, tears began to gleam in her eyes.

"Oh... that's too long." She slurred in unclear tone

"Jodha, it is going to be very difficult to stay away from you for months. More I come close to you more I crave for you... I cannot even envision how will I concentration on my work without you. Feels like you have put a spell on me, such a busy day ahead and I don't feel like leaving you."

The way he pronounces openly her sadness instantly faded. "The feeling is mutual." She mumbled while looking down,

While walking towards her slowly, looking at her timid face he teased, "If you feeling mutual then I will postpone all the meetings and we will continue where left off."

"Oh... no... not again... Shahenshah, I will see you in the Diwan E Khas." Before he could capture her once again, she swiftly loped out of his chamber while chuckling.

*****

There were two people in the palace who couldn't sleep the entire night...

Wazir E Aliya Maham Anga was deeming the entire night how Jalal gradually altered since Jodha came in his life, earlier he used to avoid even beholding at Hamida Banoo and hatred toward her was clearly visible in his eyes but gradually he is coming closer to Hamida just because of queen Jodha and her intimacy. He has commenced taking decisions without my guidance... furthermore, he kept his visit to Amer secret from me. She confusingly thought how Jalal and Jodha reconciled?? Jalal slept in Rukaiya begum's chamber but still there was no impact on Jodha. Many questioned emanated in her little-confused mind about Jodha... Is Jodha acting innocent and playing all along? How quickly Jalal gave her Malika E Hindustan title? She is becoming a danger for me day by day... I need to reconcile with Queen Rukaiya and throw Jodha out of this palace soon. Early in the morning to play her next move, Maham went to see Rukaiya begum in her chamber.

Maham respectively greeted, "Adab Begum E khaas."

Rukaiya countered in a grouchy tone "Aadab Badi Ammi, What are you doing here early in the morning?"

Maham smirked hearing her peevish sound, she answered sarcastically "Rukaiya begum, I am here to wake you up... seems like you have been sleeping for months."

In an arrogant tone, she yelled "Whatever you have in your mind tell me clearly...Let me warn you, I am not in the temperament to discuss anything, so don't assess my endurance... "

"Queen Rukaiya, I came here to shake hands with you, I thought after what happened yesterday you need a shoulder to sustenance but appears you don't need assistance... I presume you have accepted your defeat without even contesting... You probably don't realize but I am your well-wisher." Maham stiffened her posture and replied in dense tone

Rukaiya mellowed her tone and replied "Well-wisher... Wazir E Aliya??? I still remember every incident when you have walked over Me. Particularly in the Diwan E Khas in front of Jalal." She sarcastically chuckled

Maham controlled her anger and replied in a harsh tone "Queen Rukaiya, the feeling is mutual. You have treated me worse than I did. Anyway, one day your ego will take away everything from you and your value in this palace will be no more than a common begum and yes I am your well-wisher. Probably you are thinking that Jalal came to you to spend the night with you." Instantly this statement caught Rukaiya's attention... Maham continued looking in her eyes "No he just came to inform you that he is going to spend the night with Queen Jodha and do you know how and why he suddenly went to sleep while talking to you?? Because I mixed sleeping ark in his drink and I sent him to your chamber forcefully so that Queen Jodha defeat against you. Not only that but I created a rift between them but unfortunately, Jodha reconciled easily."

Rukaiya realized the whole game Maham played. In a regretful tone she asked, "Badi Ammi, please forgive me for my arrogance, I never thought you really cared but you took such a big risk to save my reputation in the harem...but as far as I know you, you don't do any errand to anyone with your benefit. Why did you help me???"

Maham wickedly smirked and answered "Queen Rukaiya, you know me very well, I helped you just because we both have the same enemy... Queen Jodha'... I can't tolerate that Rajvanshi on the throne next to Jalal. That tricky witch has played too wisely to captured Jalal into her claws, however, I have a cure for this disease... I can help you if you willingly shake hands with me."

Rukaiya continued in vicious tone, "Well, we both need each other so let's fight together. Do you have anything in your mind, how can I help you?? What do I need to do?" She quickly submitted herself to Maham knowing how impious her mind is.

Maham commended "First, you wipe your tears and no one should come to know that what is going inside you... Just pretend like nothing happened, keep your fire up to yourself and let your fire burn you inside...You have to act like true politician, play wisely and snatch your title back from begum Jodha"

After a brief pause, Maham went near Rukaiya and murmured the entire plan in her ear. Hearing the plan a malicious smile crawled on Rukaiya's face.

*******

Jodha with a sweet smile walked out of Jalal's chamber, completely lost in thoughts of their most romantic and beautiful night ever, she passed by Queen Rukaiya's chamber not noting her vicious gaze towards her.

Rukaiya with swollen puffy red eyes saw Jodha walking out of the Jalal's chamber. Seeing that her heart stopped beating. Once again she thought, Jalal never allowed any of his Queens spending the night in his 'khwabgah' sleeping chamber. He never shared his private life with anyone including her. He himself decided whom to visit and never let anyone come that close to him. This sly witch has taken over complete control over Jalal in her crafty claws. Entire night Rukaiya was unable to sleep, she felt suffocated, betrayed, annoyed, angry and deeply hurt with Jalal's decision. She never thought in her dream that one day someone will capture Jalal's heart. Foremost, she was annoyed, he gave Malika-e-Hindustan title to Jodha instead of her. Her tears were flooding out with anger and jealousy. Slowly inside her heart fire of revenge, began to simmer.

She murmured angrily- 'Queen Jodha, START COUNTING YOUR DAYS. Enjoy these fractions of happy moments as much as you could because soon you will have to pay for Rukaiya's tears... I will not forgive you easily. You have stepped upon my dreams, crossing all your limits and seizing my powers... Not only that, you even took away my Jalal by mesmerizing him in your beauty... It's my turn now, soon you will pay for it. Be ready for the consequences of your gravest mistake, Jalal is only mine and he will remain mine only, you are very new in this game of 'Shatranj' (checkerboard), soon I will kick you out of Jalal's life... In no time, your beauty spell will be faded from his blindfold..." She wiped her tears with a shrewd gloomy scowl on her face.

****

After many days Jalal felt like attending Diwan-e-Khaas. All of a sudden realization hit him that he realized he has ignored lots of political issues for months. Since he got married to Jodha, she became his priority. But today he was sensing the changes and feeling. The thought of being with Jodha and accompanied by her in political issues at DWK was giving him absolute contentment. The feeling of isolation was now slowly dissolving from his life. As per his daily routine, he got ready for his Sword Practice, but before that, he decided to meet his beloved first wife Rukaiya. He knew his announcement has hurt her but it wasn't intentional. While striding towards her chamber, he reminisced her eyes with many questions and immense betrayal pain. Suddenly his walking speed increased towards her chamber.

Jalal reached to Rukaiya's chamber, but what he saw was truly unbelievable. As per Rukaiya's persona, he was expecting a tornado, a furious storm of anger, teary face and upsetting look from her but when he saw her sitting and smoking a pipe (hukka) as if nothing has happened gave him bombshell surprising shock.

She welcomed him with a forceful smile on her face. While skimming through her face, Jalal sat next to her. There was complete awkward silence lingered longer than a minute between the two. It seemed as if it was a stillness before an enormous storm. He was waiting for her to unleash her tantrum and extreme retort.

Eventually, Rukaiya broke the discomfited excruciating muteness and asked in a sarcastic but calm tone- "Jalal, how was your first night with Malika-e-Hindustan???" With her blunt approach and unexpected reaction, Jalal got stunned again.

He kept his silence so she could take out her retort but when she didn't react and behaved composed, he decided to talk to her openly. Along with regretful gaze, he took her in gentle embraced and kissed on her forehead, after a long cuddle he mumbled dimly while parting. "Rukaiya, I can understand your disappointment and hurt, just because as always I didn't discuss with you before making the official announcement of Malika-e-Hindustan, but I have thought about it for long before making the decision... Probably this is for the first time that I have taken any decision from my heart, therefore, I didn't want anyone to be a part of this decision but that doesn't mean I don't sense your deep sting in your heart." Along with a deep sighed out he paused to read her impassive face. Her composed unexpected calmness in her behavior puzzled him, for the first time he was not able to understand what's going on in her mind.

Rukaiya kept silence and continued looking at him sadly without showing any retort. After a long pause of silence, he further continued "Rukaiya I know you long enough to feel your inner pain, you don't need to conceal it from me." He pressed her hand gently while looking in her eyes he began "Rukaiya, I can read your eyes clearly but I want you to know that both you and Jodha are very close to my heart. Perhaps you are closer to me, since my childhood, you have always supported me in my thick and thin time, I have cried on your shoulder when my isolation became unbearable... You were my strength when my closed one betrayed me brutally, without your sustenance Jalal would have only been Jalal. You have accompanied me in the journey from Jalal to Shahenshah... Together we have drawn the tears of happiness and grief in the moments of joy and sorrow. Rukaiya, you are the only one who owns my childhood memories. The purity of our relationship would never let us get apart but today I am standing between friendship and love and I want you to accept my love from your heart and maintain the purity of our bond of friendship."

After listening to Jalal's loving and caring words Rukaiya responded him back manipulatively with tears in her eyes- "Jalal I am not at all disappointed with you, and would never be... Yes, sometimes I get angry at you but I know you'll never upset me intentionally... I love you so much that I can even give up my life for you... Jalal I cannot see you in so much worry, your worries gives me shuddered me inwardly while your happiness overjoys me... I don't know why I never realized before but today nothing is more important for me than you... I am really glad that you have found your true love and I am happy in your happiness Jalal and I am very confident queen Jodha will fulfill her responsibilities efficiently. I have no doubt on your decision, I am sure she is capable and knowledgeable enough to speak in front of our intelligent administrators... She'll not let you down... I am very sure she will respect and support your words in the court."

Jalal was shocked hearing such an intense response from Rukaiya. Jalal always knew that Rukaiya loves him but she never admitted it. She always valued power and her position more than anything else, even more than her husband. But today, after listening to her so much concern, Jalal's eyes got filled with love and he overwhelmed with joy... In an emotional tone, he slurred while cupping her face "You are very close to my heart and will always be... Jodha will rule on my heart but you will always rule on my mind... I am feeling blessed to have you in my life..." Before Jalal could finish Rukaiya passionately kissed him while tears ran down her cheeks, seeing her in tears and intense love Jalal kissed her back with passion... Instantly Rukaiya took the opportunity and leaned her body closer to him, but as soon as Jalal realized her further interest he pulled himself with an excuse he is running late for the exercise and DWK. Before leaving he gently kissed on her forehead and walked out of her room with tears of contentment in his eyes.

After discussing with Rukaiya, Jalal's mind got filled with so many questions regarding his decision. He murmured to himself- 'Will Jodha be able to stand in front of those extremely sharp and talented administrators??? Does she have any knowledge about political issues??? Hope she doesn't get nervous in front of so many people, she is too naive and straight thinker, but how would she play these games of manipulation? Have I taken the right decision???' His heart immediately responded back to him- 'Why are you worrying Jalal... What if Jodha is new to this game of politics? She is not alone like you were in the past, after all, you are there to support her and she will soon learn and understand astuteness of diplomatic aspect... What all she needs in DWK is your support and motivation... Just be calm and have faith in your decision... She will never disappoint you.' Jalal assured himself.

As soon as Jalal walked out Rukaiya smiled wickedly and said to herself- "Jalal you are only mine and soon I will be the Malika-e-Hindustan of this Mughal Empire... No other begum can rule over this empire, very soon I'll show you your right place Begum Jodha... "

Maham walked in Rukaiya's room and both of them had an evil grin on their faces. The first step of their plan was successfully accomplished. Now it was time to play their next trick.