While taking rapid long strides, Jalal marched towards his chamber. In a few moments, his emotion swayed like a roller coaster ride. The feeling of inferiority, jealousy, and the top most his manly bruised ego completely captured all of his senses and wits to think in a positive direction. Instead of viewing her decision in an optimistic way, he built an inner concrete wall with a shallow thought that she disobeyed him in front of others knowingly to gain a power and respect from the experts.

In a haste, he took off his royal robe and diamond encrusted crown then crashed on a couch with the feeling of betrayal. His heart was deeply sore and hurt, her words were constantly echoing in his ears. The words of praise from Maham Anga for Jodha put a fire in his scorching heart not only her but all of his administrators were awestruck by her intelligence which added the layer of strings in his heart. The kingly superego created a barrier of bitterness within him which paralyzed his sense of intelligence. This was very first time his male pride was damaged brutally in a Diwan E Khaas by the person who he trusted the most.... Love of his life.

'How dare you stepped over me Jodha? How dare you gave a verdict against my wish? Yaah Allah!!! this was games, she played all along...What a manipulation! You are truly a very sharp politician. You were pretending innocence all along... oh god, you were faking. You planned all this to control and rule over the court. Like others you also desired power... How tactfully you have proved to everyone that I am a ruthless and cruel king and you are a humble and wise ruler. You have successfully impressed the entire court with your wicked wits... How conveniently you kept your intelligence in politics from me, you never bothered to tell me that you have written a book on the economy. You wanted to influence everyone by surprise... What were you trying to prove that you are a better ruler than me?? I have given everything to you including myself and you betrayed me... Why Jodha Why???' Quickly, his mind got filled with negative thoughts.

After receiving many compliments and the appreciative words for her decision from many experts, Jodha turned around with worries... She recalled his disappointed stare and frustrated face which send shivered through her feet. Instantly fear took over her not only her mind but her slow walking pace, a mere thought of his anger lost all of her senses and she began to run towards his chamber while ignoring the odd gazes. She wanted to give justification for her verdict to him before the volcano erupts... While praying silently to Lord Krishna, she increased her pace as soon as her eyes laid on his chamber's door. Eight gate man weirdly stared at her hearing her hasty steps and the speed. None of the gatemen stopped her from entering his chamber, at first she felt slight strange but soon realized she is the Malika E Hindustan now so she can visit him any time without his permission. While panting heavily, she entered in his chamber but her feet got numbed at the extravagant Persian hand crafted rug out of fear... Her eyes laid on Jalal who was sitting on couch lost in deep thoughts. He looked at her with a plain gaze which had no expression ... The isolation... The emptiness... The aloofness in his impassive orbs gave her a jolt. Her feet shivered to cut down the further distance between them but she amassed herself and forward slow steps towards him. She was unable to understand the look on his face. He didn't look angry but it was beyond angry. Somehow she knew he would not yell. Finally, she took a seat next to him but was unable to understand how to break the ice. Her heart was beating with unknown fear, she could hear the roaring sound of a storm in his silence. Jalal kept his silence and continued looking at the other direction avoiding her gaze.

At last, after a minute Jodha put her hand on Jalal's hand and cautiously asked, "Did I made any mistake Shahenshah?"

Jalal scornfully chuckled and responded in a sarcastic, "Oh noo... No way how can the most intelligent queen, the Malika E Hindustan can make a mistake." Slowly, he pulled his hand from her grip and got up from the couch.

Jodha swiftly got up and hugged him from his back and said: "Shahenshah, I know you are upset because I gave a verdict against your wish but I am so happy you didn't get angry with me and as I promised I was here to spend the rest of day and entire night with you."

Jalal grabbed both of her hands from his chest and with a little jerk freed himself from her and replied in a sharp tone "Malika E Hindustan, My anger also has shown a hidden love for others, I only get angry at those people who are close to my heart and I should thank you for waking me up before it was too late."

She stares at his hushed eyes with a shock, it took her a few seconds to grasp what he mean. As her mind commenced to grasp his heartless statement, her steps backward. His words were too sharp for her to digest. 'Oh god... did I hear correct?? Did he mean I am not close to his heart any more??' She felt a sharp pain as if someone had poked a knife in her heart brutally.

Two quiet deserted tears spilled from the corner of her eyes, her knees gave up, she felt too frail to stand so she got hold of the nearest pillar to balance. She pleaded brokenly "Please forgive me for my mistake. You can get angry or even slap me for my wrong verdict but don't hurt me like this, don't detach me from you... Your apathy towards me is unbearable Shahenshah."

Jalal turned towards facing her. When he saw her in tears with folded hands, for a moment his heart melted seeing her in such a pitiful condition. Blankly he stared at her for more than a minute then in a composed tone responded: "Queen Jodha, I am too tired to discuss further, please leave?" His words echoed and pared the stillness like a whip.

Jodha began to cry with loud sobs seeing his cold approach, her heart sank when she realized he do not even want to talk further. In a vulnerable tone she pleaded again, "Shahenshah, I am begging you please forgive me. I will not be able to bear this." She ran towards him and hugged him forcefully and continued "I just want you... nothing else..." she mumbled.

"I wish it was true" he droned under his breath quietly. A furious anger crawled on his face and his eyes turned dark. His mind screamed out loud that she is manipulating him again but his heart was not ready to believe it... But his mind won over the battles too quickly, his easily defeated heart also agreed with his mind and turned into a solid rock. Her tears and words had left no impact on him... He pushed her away and loudly shouted "Queen Jodha... leave me alone..."

Her sobbing stopped after hearing his loud angry shout at her... She glanced at him fearfully... His sudden anger... and harsh words she was unable to grasp that just for a verdict against his wish, he has this much anger. She confusingly stared at him to read his mind but she completely failed, it was no use to talk to him when he is not in his control so she decided to walk out.

But before leaving she asked in low tone "Shahenshah, I really don't understand what has suddenly happened to you, just for one verdict against your wish you have begun to hate me!! Anyway, as per your command, I will leave you alone." In a slow pace, she walked towards the door, still... her heart had hoped... he might stop her. In a huge chamber, the only sound of her anklet was thrashing both of them. He was looking at her leaving pointlessly... She paused and turned back to see in his eyes once again with the last hope and saw his face was filled with pain, immense hatred, and bitterness... He saw her sad and paled face with tears in her eyes... Seeing her pitiful condition, his suffocating heart failed to hold the tears which were threatening to flow, it spilled slowly from his eyes. He swiftly turned to another side to conceal his tears from her...

Jodha sadly smiled and spoke in poetic tone.

शहेंशाह... दर्द जो दिया, इतना गहरा दिया आपने

Shahenshah...You have given me unendurable ache

करके वादा, आखिर में छोड ही दिया आपने हमको

After giving promises you deserted me.

बेदर्दी बालम... ज़ख़्म देनेका शुक्रिया

My cold-hearted lover, Thank you for rupturing my soul

आपने तोह ज़िन्दगी का मतलब ही सीखा दिया

Your aloofness has taught me a lifelong lesson.

Hearing the depressed poetic lexes, he failed to hold himself any longer... as if he heard her last desire he turned to see her one last glimpse. Their eyes locked for a flashing moment, emotions swiveled both sides, and his narrowed eyes glistened as her dismayed orbs glared at him, and shouted silently for his betrayal and poured unstoppable tears.

Jalal closed his eyes to inhale the pain. He stood there motionless with his bruised ego and shattered heart for long.

Entire day he spent alone in his chamber... recalling the time he spent with Jodha. Jalal was in his chamber. He gave strict instruction to guards not to let anyone disturb him. Maham and Rukaiya both tried to meet him but the guards requested not to disturb him.

He was in a deep dilemma and confusion... as always he asked himself few questions, 'Why Jodha went so far against him and gave a verdict in favor of the family? Was she right?

'No... She played you all along and was seeking others attention Jalal.' His mind quickly shut him off

'Was I wrong all along? Does she have better vision than me? I would have punished Azim and cut his hand." His inner voice spoke

'No way Jalal, you were following the law... the law is a final ultimatum... you can't bend for your convenience.' His mind debated.

'But with my decision all three would have paid for this punishment... If I keep law aside and see then she took judicious decision but why does it bother me so intently, is it because she hurt my self-esteem?' His heart still was not completely captured by his mind.

'She did all this to put you down? To prove it to the court experts that you are heartless king. Remember her statement 'If a kid who has not received food for days and he steals bread and we cut his hands for stealing that would be considered injustice and cruelty.' It means you are a cruel king towards your people??

To sooth his inner conscience Jalal gave justification to his heart, 'But if I start looking at the motive and reason behind stealing then I will end up forgiving all of them... People will not have fear of punishment and crime will increase...'

His mind spoke immediately to comfort his guilt, 'Exactly Jalal, law is law, and emotions have no position when it comes to a law.'

Jalal responded to his mind 'And that is how she always played with me and make me feel wrong. She even said many times before, people respect me out of fear not because they love me.'

'She is right, your people respect you out of fear. It is true.' His mind and heart both answered together.

He decided to talk with Atgah Sahib and called him to his room...

"Adab Shahenshah..." Atgah bowed down gently.

Jalal with a dim smile welcomed Atgah sahib and requested him to sit "I would like to discuss today's verdict which Queen Jodha has given? What is your opinion about that, do you think that was a right decision???"

Seeing his dilemma, Atgah sahib answered tactfully, "Shahenshah I have two opinions about this verdict... If I look at this case with humanity, than there is no better verdict than this. I am extremely impressed with the far vision of Malika E Hindustan. I had no idea she is so knowledgeable and intelligent. Shahenshah, I am proud of your decision to make her Malika E Hindustan." After a brief pause he continues, "But If I look at this case in terms of laws then this verdict is completely wrong. Azim confessed his mistake and his brother also admitted his mistake so he should be punished as per law and law should be followed in all conditions so when it comes to the law we should think using brain not heart. We get thousands of cases like this and it is impossible to judge each case like this and all cases does not come to diwan e aam. In the court, we get only five percent cases, so it will be unfair to others whose case judges by only law." Jalal just listened to him and kept his silence.

Atgah continued "But today Queen Jodha has forced me to think that we should have a measurement of each crime. Her example about the hungry kid really left me thinking, we really need to review our laws. Punishment of the crime should be based on disparity of the crime. I am so impressed with queen Jodha's thinking and I am completely speechless."

Jalal with distressing expression asked him "Atgah Sahib, Do you think that I am a cruel and ruthless Shahenshah??? Today Jodha begum's verdict left me thinking that I am unfair to my people and they respect me out of fear?"

Atgah sahib replied in comforting tone "No Shahenshah... Not at all... You are not ruthless or cruel... I agree that you take decisions using your brain and not the heart but for a good ruler, this is the main requirement. Soft hearted kings cannot bring peace and safety to their people... and please don't make the mistake of judging yourself based on just one case. I know how much you think about your people and their safety. All these laws are made for people's benefit and there is no kingdom that is perfect. You can't please and make everyone happy but that doesn't mean that you are cruel and heartless.

Even after this long speech, Jalal just nodded his head.

Atgah Sahib praised "Having said all this, there was one thought of Queen Jodha which I really loved was 'Law is made for our convenience and with the time... changes are necessary.'

Jalal tried hard to smile at Atgah sahib... and agreed with what he said "Samay ke saath badlav jaruri hai... (With time changes are necessary)"

Atgha Sahib left but his opinion didn't satisfy him instead created more fire inside him... his ego was once again crushed... When someone praises Jodha for her intelligence... instantly he starts to compare himself with her and his manly Shahenshahi...ego and jealousy created anger inside him. He was feeling scratchy within, it was bothering him that Jodha decided against his wish and her decision was better... His heart knew his decisions were ruthless and cruel sometimes. He never thought twice while punishing and never thought about the reason behind the crime. Is Jodha trying to prove in front of everyone that, I am a merciless and a forbidding Shahenshah??

***

Jodha is in her chamber sitting on the floor in front of Krishan's temple with confused feelings... For the first time, she couldn't read Jalal's mind... She didn't understand why he is so annoyed and ignoring her... she knew that he didn't like that she decided against his wishes but he reacted much more than that... she was puzzled and hurt with his detachment... The way he looked at her as if she was guilty of doing something wrong... His gaze and anger were somewhat similar to when he suspected her having relation with another man. That time he was angry... furious... but this time, he looked broken and shattered more than angry. Jodha was feeling vulnerable entire day and night. She decided to talk to him and ask him what is bothering him the most? Why is he so upset?.

It was early morning, she finished Lord Krishna's prayer and went out to do Tulsi pooja and noticed Jalal was not practicing sword today, which surprised her because it was time for his exercise and no matter how much busy he is, he never misses his practice. She quickly paced up towards his chamber and viewed Jalal and Abdul both were marching towards the horse stable. Their eyes caught each other's gaze from very far. The direct sun on her face and bright yellow color outfit glowed in a sun like a lively bloomed sunflower, for a few moments he forgot to breathe, but as she came closer the empathetic sadness in her eyes and pale face sank his heart. Both were unable to break the gaze from each other. When Abdul noticed the duo lost in each other, he instantly left them alone and walked towards the other side.

The sound of her melodious anklet enclosed in his heart as she came closer, in a polite manner she requested, "Shahenshah, I would like to talk to you for a few minutes."

He inhaled sharply... "Tell me quickly, I have many things to finish..." Jalal replied with a rude attitude.

To ease the conversation Jodha casually began, "Shahenshah are you going out somewhere??"

He glared at her with an annoyance before replying "Do I need to take your permission before going somewhere or give you an explanation where am I going, what am I doing the entire day???"

Jodha with hurtful shocking expression responded, "I was just asking... I didn't mean to inquire."

"Anything else??" Jalal to cut her off asked in loud apathetic tone

After seeing his attitude and the mood Jodha felt it was not the right time to discuss further but his tone was so forceful, she abruptly informed, "I just wanted to tell you that tomorrow I won't be able to attend a Diwan E Khaas." word slipped out of her mouth unknowingly.

Jalal looked at her sarcastically and replied "Seems like you have shown enough in one day... And you have no desire left to show more of your intelligence"

Jodha sadly replied, "It's nothing like that Shahenshah, tomorrow I'd like to go to Ambe Mata temple for prayer."

"Oh... As you wish... Malika E Hindustan." He replied bitter tone while emphasizing on Malika E Hindustan.

Before Jodha could respond, Queen Rukaiya walked towards Jalal. Jalal warmly smiled at her and deliberately he passed Jodha and walked towards Rukaiya. Jodha turned to see curiously who that was and saw just four feet away from her, Jalal and Rukaiya were embracing each other with a passion...As if it was not enough to hurt her, a few seconds later Jalal kissed on Rukaiya's forehead and while kissing Rukaiya his eyes were stuck on Jodha. Seeing them kissing, her heart ruptured from inside... it died... silent tears began to flood out from hazel eyes... she stared at them without a blink.

Rukaiya asked excitedly, "Shahenshah, where are you going?

Jalal replied while beholding Jodha's eyes, "Oh my dearest queen Rukaiya, how could I leave without informing you? I have always and I will always inform you before going out of the palace... actually, I was coming towards you, but my morning is not that good... some useless people stopped me in between and wasted my precious time."

Jodha's doe-like hazel eyes dropped down, she gulped the intense pain and tears, soon her tears turned into resentment and without saying anything she turned and walked away from there... After a few steps, she ran towards her chamber... The sound of her anklet throbbed in ears again and again until she disappeared from his view.