RECAP:

CHAPTER 27

Jodha's heartbeats were running at the speed of the lightning. Her face was filled with massive terror. The loud thud sound of her heavy breathing was audible to her ears. The way she precipitously rushed inside Jalal's chamber while shouting his name JALAL out loud instead of 'Shahenshah' she pushed every person who came in her way to reach his bed. Her fearful scream not only distracted everyone in the chamber diverted their attention. Every single eye stuck on her like a hawk, including Jalal's.

After many weeks of a long wait, at last, his desire fulfilled, to see her one single gaze. He murmured silently to himself...Ek muddat se kar rahe hain intezaar teraAkhri tamanna thi ki maut se pehle ho deedar teraIt feels like I have been waiting for this moment for ages.

Before dying, my last yearning to see once again a glimpse of love in your eyes fulfilled, now I can rest in peace forever.

After seeing her traumatized condition, his heart sank, and his mind diverted from unbearable pain. It was shocking not only for him but also for every person in the chamber to see Malika E Hindustan without jewelry and sringar (makeup) and plain simple cotton colorless outfit. Nothing mattered to her when she heard Jalal got injured. She didn't care; her veil came off while running. It was dreadful for Jalal to see her so feeble, anxious, and vulnerable. It seemed like she had lost a noticeable amount of weight in just a few days. He felt relieved, witnessing a change in her stilled impassive, emotionless eyes, which were now flooding with many confounding emotions for him. It was clear that her love for him is still untouched, alive, and not dried out with her tears. He felt blessed. Even though he was in enormous pain with server wounds, blood was still flooding out like water, but his misery no longer impacted him after seeing her state.

Hakim began to clean his wounds, and his hands were shivering, seeing many deep cuts and so many pitiless injuries. He slowly cleaned most of the scars, but now his hand stopped for a second when he started cleaning the deepest brutal wound, but the pain had no impact on Jalal's face. Everyone in the chamber, including the Hakim, was staggered after seeing the pleasant smile on his face. He was beholding Jodha's gaze without a blink while holding his breath and clutching his fist on the bedsheet. His body was reacting to pain, but his face didn't have even a single expression of pain. His heart was at colossal peace, seeing her intense worry and care for him. Just seeing her face was making him feel content.

Jodha's eyes widened in shock seeing his critical condition and blood all over his body; tears dazzled out from her eyes without any sob. She got frozen, seeing the so many deep wounds and soaking blood... Finally, Slowly her eyes lifted from the bottom to the top; their eyes met again for the first time after Diwan E Khas incident. Both of them looked at each other with love, remorse, and regret. Momentarily, he got lost in her magical spell, but soon reality hit him hard; his memory slapped him. He recalled his torturous cruelty. His heartless acts... The realization filled his eyes with shame and guilt, but Jodha's eyes still had only concern and worries for him.He squirmed "AAAHHHH" in pain, but his eyes didn't move for even a mere moment... but the expression change in his eyes after realization, he couldn't believe his own eyes, her selflessness and worry for him after all the extreme brutality on her... He couldn't hold his tears; he was trained to bear the pain but not emotions. Finally, tears streamed out of his eyes in front of many. These tears were not for his unbearable pain, but it came out due to the enormous guilt and deep remorse. She also misread like others and thought due to extreme pain; tears came in his eyes. Nothing mattered to her at that moment. For a while, everything blanked out in her mind. She forgot what he did to her. Her memory paralyzed momentarily... It didn't even bother her that the chamber was filled with people. She sat next to him and kept her hand on his forehead and caressed to comfort him. Tears were overflowing from her eyes mutely. His discomfort imprinted on her face. It was visible to everyone that she was feeling his pain. Hakim started to make the most painful stitches, but his eyes didn't move from her, not even for a second. He was looking at his lovable and caring wife; her loving touch gave him a pleasant feeling. His intolerable pain had no impact... Hakim was confused about why he was not reacting to the pain. He thought, due to his severe unbearable wounds, he will get unconscious. He was in awe seeing his strength to bear the pain. Hakim finished with stitches and pulled the string to cut. Again Jalal squealed in pain a little louder than before. Jodha's attention diverted from his eyes to the hand; her left hand was resting on the bed. Jalal slowly rested his hand on top of her and squeezed a little to comfort her. Once again, their eyes met. He blinked to reassure her.

Rukaiya and Maham Anga fumed, seeing all of a sudden Jalal's mellowed attitude towards Jodha. Rukaiya walked nearby Jalal and asked in a concerned tone, "Jalal, how are you feeling? Are you in a lot of pain?"

Jalal moved his gaze towards Rukaiya and replied in faint sound, "Yes, It was unbearable before, but after seeing my love," He moved his gaze towards Jodha... Indicating her presence, then continued with a dim smile, "My pain has vanished, and wounds have no impact on me" Rukaiya felt offended the way Jalal gave importance to Jodha... While suppressing her inner turmoil, she gave a fake smile to Jalal and stepped backward.Hamida's heart pounded, seeing his son in so much painful condition. She was looking at him helplessly. She knew Jalal wouldn't like her near at this time. He hates to see her worry and care for him. Her eyes were pouring out tears silently for him. When she heard the entire incident, she Thanked God for saving Jalal. She was angry at him for taking this unnecessary risk but was also proud of him fighting bravely against so many dacoits. She whispered unknowingly a little louder, "Allah ka lakh lakh shukar hai... tum sahi salamat ho Jalal... (Thank God for keeping Jalal safe)" Her faint whisper echoed in Jalal's ears... His eyes searched for his Ammi Jaan in many people. When he saw her pale face with teary eyes, he realized she wanted to be near him. He looked at her, but her eyes were close as she could not see so many wounds on him.

Jalal murmured in a low tone, "Ammi Jaan" His two words echoed soothingly in her ears... She instantly opened her eyes with a stunned expression and felt overwhelmed when she perceived Jalal was looking at her.

Jalal gave Hamida a little smile, which soothed the vulnerable mother's heart, then his eyes scanned everyone else in the chamber and then again glued back on Jodha. Due to a vast amount of blood loss, he began to feel weak and dizzy. Even though his vision got blurred, he tried to keep looking at her until his body gave up, and his eyes closed with lyrical content.

Jodha shockingly screamed, "Shahenshah..."Jalal heard her anxious voice. He pushed hard to fight with all his inner strength and opened his eyes for a few seconds and clutched her palm tightly and gave her assurance that he is not going anywhere, and closed his eyes again.

Every person in the chamber felt dreadful seeing him unconscious. The way he closed his eyes and looked at Jodha felt as if it was his final farewell.

Maham nervously shouted, "Hakim Sahib... What happened to Shahenshah???"He replied patiently, "Vajire Aaliyah, don't worry, Shahenshah is fine. I have given him the same herb you requested a few weeks ago as soon as I saw his wounds. You must know this medication takes a few minutes to impact. now he will be in a deep sleep for the next eight hours straight."

Maham couldn't hide her mortified expression. Her face was clearly showing fear of getting caught. She had no idea that Hakim will reveal her secret like this.

Hamida instantly felt weird; she suspiciously cross-questioned with surprise. "Why did you need this medication, Maham?"

Maham took a deep breath in and took control of her fear. A few seconds later, she replied calmly, "Actually, a few weeks ago, one of the prisoners was very sick and was suffering from terrible pain, so I requested for this medicine for him..."

Hamida was stunned by her answer. She knew how cruel and ruthless Maham is, so why would she worry for a prisoner?

Jodha came back to her senses. Her frozen brain began to breathe again. The realization hit her that she was sitting next to Jalal and caressing him. all her pain came back... her unseen inner wounds opened also... Her unstoppable tears suddenly stopped... Her eyes again had the same silence... She was still looking at him without a blink... He was in deep sleep with content peace on his face.

Jodha's sharp brain started putting the puzzle pieces together about sleeping medicine... She realized a few weeks ago Jalal also had the same kind of experience... he fell asleep in Rukaiya's chamber... She recalled how Jalal went to Maham Anga's chamber before going to Queen Rukaiya's chamber... She already had a strong doubt on Maham Anga about Sujamal's letter misleading and after this, her doubt got much stronger on Maham... She looked at Maham with a bitter stare and asked a question to Hakim Sahib... "How long does this medication takes to effect on a healthy person??"

Hakim responded... "About ten to fifteen minutes."

While talking to Hakim... Jodha was beholding Maham with an angry and bitter gaze... Maham knew very well, why she gave her the heated gaze.

Hakim said in an instructive tone to Jodha "Shahenshah is in too much pain so while sleeping you might hear him weeping or murmuring due to extreme pain. It will take more than a week to fully recover..."

After few seconds he requested "Mariam Makhani, If you allow me then I would like to check on Abdul, he is also badly injured. Anyway, Shahenshah will stay asleep for many hours... I will come back in few hours to see his condition."

"Thank you, Hakim Sahib... you can surely check on Abdul's condition and please keep me updated about his health too." She responded calmly.

After the Hakim left, Hamida requested everyone to leave Jalal alone. Everyone left other than Hamida, Maham Anga, Rukaiya and Jodha who was still sitting next to Jalal.

Rukaiya sarcastically said, "Queen Jodha you can go and rest, I will stay with Jalal and take care of him."

Jodha with a hostile gaze replied sulkily "Why not Queen Rukaiya, you are a very special queen to Shahenshah, you should stay with him all the time... Anyway it's time for my pooja."

Hamida got shocked seeing Jodha leaving Jalal in this condition but at the time she very well knew Jalal's ego and all the hurtful things he had done to Jodha... She couldn't say a word but she knew Jalal needed Jodha at this time the most.

Jodha got up from the bed to leave but in deep sleep, Jalal was still holding her hand with a strong grip like a little child clutches her mother's pallu in sleep.

She tried unsuccessfully to relieve herself from his grip... Once again in a frustration tears gushed out of her eyes when she felt helpless.

Hamida instantly said, "So Jalal has decided who will stay with him so Jodha you better stay and take care of you husband." Even though she commanded but happiness in her sound was clearly audible.

Rukaiya and Maham with defeated feeling walked out of the chamber.

Hamida felt guilty for forcing Jodha... she walked near her and wiped her tears and kissed on her forehead. Then with an apologetic gesture, she folded her hand and pleaded, "I am very sorry for hurting you my child but I am a selfish mother... I know what you are going through but he needs you... I am requesting you, please fulfill your wifely duties."

Jodha was still not out of the shock of his injury and now her frozen brain warmed up with bitter memories... She was feeling helpless and suffocating with her own emotions... One side her mind was hindering her for her weakness and at the same time, her divine golden heart wanted to comfort him by pouring her love for him... She felt like choking with suffocation... Her silent clean mind and heart suddenly stormed up with many emotions... she needed a shoulder to cry on... she was feeling so vulnerable and confused... Hamida realized her dilemma and pain... she took Jodha in her embrace to give her the warmth she needed... Jodha broke down with loud tears and frustration... She murmured "Why is it me all the time??? Why my destiny has been cursed???" She cried out with loud weep for long until she felt better... Hamida also with tears caressed on her head with love...Without any communication, they both shared each other's pain.

Jalal was still holding her hand like his possession.... Jodha felt much better after taking out her sorrow and sharing her pain with Hamida, which she was holding inside her for last few weeks... After a while, Hamida left from there and went to check on Abdul.

Jalal and Jodha were alone in his huge oversized chamber, where they have shared their precious time together... Jodha's eye caught the beautiful painting of them resting in each other's arms under the tree... which was hanging on the wall... To stay in the same chamber with him was unfeasible for her... this painting was giving her deep sting... today their beautiful moment was giving her throbbing pain... In the past two weeks her enormous pain and betrayal feelings turned into extreme level of peace... she crossed all boundaries and now she was at a place where there were no feelings left... her pain and anger taught her to keep away from his memories... She felt frustrated that his presence still impacts her so much... her heart was enjoying his closeness and his strong possessive grip on her hand....but her mind was cruelly punishing her and threatening her for loving him so much.

Two hours passed... He was lost in deep sleep and Jodha was sitting next to him... Suddenly she heard his painful squeals and his grip slacken on her hand... His facial expression changed in sleep... he looked in intense grief... all of a sudden she noticed, tears started trickling down from his eyes... She could feel he was in vast pain... he began to blubber in the sleep... She heard in a broken sound... "Jo..dh...a..." Automatically her hand went to his head to give him comfort... she caressed his head but his tears were constantly gushing out... He calmed for about a few minutes and then again he started weeping... he murmured out words... 'Don't... leave '... then she heard more clear and loud sound 'don't go... don't leave me...' every few minutes he repeated: "Don't go..." Jodha tried to calm him down... she whispered in his ears "Shhh shhh shhh...." and gently patted again on his forehead.

He was in very deep sleep... her voice didn't reach him... his howling was getting louder than before, he repeated same words but he sounded too panicky 'Jodha don't leave me...'

Jodha's heart wracked seeing his condition... When their eyes met, she instantly felt regret and intense grief in it... she knew he has realized his mistake... but seeing him repenting in his dream and sobbing like a little child wracked stones in her heart... emotions again started to flood in her heart... his muttering increased with very clear loud tone... "I am a cruel heartless king, everyone hates me... Jalaluddin Mohammad failed" his entire body started to tremble and shiver. When she realized he is not only repenting for her but he is completely shattered knowing his failure... She had no strength left to fight with herself... Seeing her love in so much in grief was too painful for her. She let go of her pain... her ego... her anger and wrapped her arms softly and carefully around him and then kissed on his forehead and cheeks and whispered in his ears "Jalal, I love you so much... I can't live without you..."

As soon as he felt her warmth and nearness he slowly calmed down... She hugged him until he felt peace again. She was feeling so feeble and helpless inside.

She sat next to him while gazing at him... there was a debate going on between her heart and mind... but after many days she felt the first time she kneeled down against her love... She cursed herself for giving up her self-respect... Time ticked slowly... she regained her control over her weak heart. She reminisced every moment since they met... His brutality... cruelty... His intense love and care, everything came in front her eyes... She completely got lost in their beautiful moments once again but soon sweetness followed by extreme bitterness... Slowly her mind and heart both were coming out of isolation state.

Two hours passed, she felt slight a movement underneath her palm... she released Jalal's hand with a tremor and swiftly, she ran towards the gate and instructed the guards to call Queen Rukaiya urgently... then she instructed his maids to bring mild Khichdi (Rice and lentil boiled mixed without spices) for him.

Hamida and Rukaiya both came running to the chamber... Jodha quickly got up from the bed so Rukaiya could sit next to him. Hamida noticed but didn't say a word... Jodha went to the backside corner of his bed so she can see him but he can't... In few minutes Jalal came to full consciousness, he opened his eyes and saw Rukaiya sitting next to him holding his hand and Hamida standing next to him... His eyes slowly moved around in search of Jodha, but she was nowhere.

"How are you feeling Jalal?" Rukaiya asked

Jalal replied in a dim tone, "It's too painful... Feels like someone has clutched my shoulders in throbbing grip, I can't even move my hand a bit."

Hamida sympathetically replied, "Don't worry my child, you will get cured in one week but it is very important that you take care of yourself properly and rest."

Jalal genuinely smiled and replied politely "Ji Ammi Jaan (Yes, Ammi Jaan)" a few seconds later he requested "Can I get some water? I am too thirsty."

Hamida requested Jodha who was standing next to the water jug. "Jodha my child, can you give water to Jalal???"

Jodha unwillingly replied in a dim tone "Ji Ammi Jaan..."

Jalal realized she was standing behind his bed in the corner... he was so much in pain and was not in a condition to move even a bit but as soon as he heard her voice... his ears started ringing with the music, tons of energy got filled inside him... He moved his body and face just to see her one gaze.

Hamida anxiously said "Jalal, What are you doing??? Don't move... relax ... Jodha is bringing water for you..."

After realizing his impatience, he quickly controlled himself... she got a glass of water and came to the other side of the bed where Rukaiya was sitting she forwarded her hand and gave the glass of water to Rukaiya to feed him and moved in the corner without looking at him.

Jalal looked at her sadly with deep sorrow and guilt on his face. Jodha could sense his penetrating gaze at her but she didn't budge at all and stubbornly didn't lift her eyes.

Rukaiya and Hamida gave support to Jalal to sit... Rukaiya forwarded her hand with a glass of water towards his mouth.

Jalal slowly pushed away from the glass and said in requesting tone "Rukaiya, I don't mean to hurt you but I will eat or drink only from Jodha's hand... Hope you understand!"