Chapter 33 Part 3

The guard's cautious tone awakens Jalal from his sunken thoughts. "Hazoor, the chief Agent Shahid Faizi would like to see you." Jalal's expression changed to attentive; without delay, he called him inside. Shahid, with courtesy, bowed down three-time and said, "Aadab Huzoor E Ala."

"Aadab," Jalal paused and came to the point directly in a vindictive tone; his pent-up anger was visible. "Shahid, tell me you got some clue."

Shahid got nervous seeing the King's scowl and clipped tone; it took him longer than expected. "Shahenshah, please forgive me; it took me three weeks, but yes, I have some reliable information to share. As per your doubt, we went to Healer's helper, Wahida's village; your suspicion was accurate. All of a sudden, in three months, her lifestyle changed drastically. Her husband has purchased farming land and a bigger house, also he hired maids at home. The spy working for the Healer informed that Wahida is planning to leave work and go back to the village."

Finally, after many days, a little smile crawled on the King's lips, and his eyes sparkled with new hopes. His doubt got confirmed that she is involved with Maham Anga. Slowly the dark clouds moved out, and again soothing winds started to blow in his favor.

"Good work, Shahid; take one week off and spend time with your family." His emotionless face sparkled with a faint smile with appreciative words.

Hearing admiration Shahid felt content, but it was shocking when the King himself gave him one week's leave. He had never seen this compassion in his eyes before. His one-sentence touched his heart. Shahid bowed down, three-time with gratitude and said, "Thank you, Huzoor E Ala."

Jalal sends eight guards to summon Healer's helper Wahida to his chamber. When she entered Jalal's chamber, she was shivering and sweating out of fear.

Jalal, sitting on his encrusted throne; his piercing enraged eyes scanned at Wahida. In a thick voice, he asked, "What is your name?"

"Wa..hi..da," She stammered.

Jalal asked in a restrained, composed tone, "How would you like to die, Wahida???" he paused to see her reaction.

Her eyes widened at his statement, and her face turned ashen.

Suddenly he got up from his chair and busted with a loud roar, "Would you like me to choke your neck till you die?" His eyes widened, a red haze fumed from his body, he ran towards her, in the flick, he gripped her from the throat, in a dangerously low voice he asked again, "Tell me how would you like to die, you have killed the heir of this sultanate. You have killed my unborn child. How dare you, you bitch???" His voice got louder and louder, and his grip on her neck got more robust, "Tell me, who else was involved in this conspiracy. No one can save you now; not even Maham Anga can protect you." Jalal pushed her towards the ground so she could explain.

As soon as she heard Maham Anga, her mind stopped making schemes, and she lost all courage. Instantly she realized Shahenshah knows everything. With tears and sobs, Wahida broke down in front of him. While crying, she begged for her life, "Huzoor E Ala, mercy, please forgive me." She repeated a few times then continued in a broken tone, "Shahenshah, please forgive me. I am not your real culprit. I just arranged the drug, but I have not killed the heir of this sultanate. Queen Rukaiya has played you and the sultanate. She lied to everyone that she was pregnant, but she never conceived a child in her womb. My heart would never allow me to kill a child. I believe in giving life, not taking life from anyone; please trust me, Shahenshah, my conscience would never allow me to do Gunah-E-Azam (unforgivable) crime. Yes, I made a mistake in my hunger for money; to fulfill my dreams, I got trapped in Wazir-E-Alia's conspiracy. I didn't realize what could happen if this drug falls into the wrong hands. I didn't know what plan they were making until Queen Jodha got punished. I even went to Wazir-E-Alia, but she threatened me that she would kill my child and husband if I open my mouth. No doubt. I am the mother of a three-year-old child; how could I kill an unborn child."

Her words attacked him as a flash of bright lightning crackled on him with thunder, and it stuck directly on his heart. Jalal walked two steps back from her with a baffled expression; he looked like he had lost all of his senses. His ears couldn't believe what he just heard. What? Rukaiya... Rukaiya was never pregnant? Her words, again and again, bellowed back on his brain and soul. It was clear his best childhood friend betrayed him. He muttered, "Yaa Khuda, Itna bada gunah (Ohh God!!! It's an unforgivable crime), Ohh Rukaiya what you have done, you have not only played me, but you have involved the entire Awam's emotions?"

He was wrecked emotionally; within a moment, his life was upside down. His forehead filled with sweat drips. He felt like someone was hammering on his head cruelly. Roughly he slid his hands in his hair. One sentence took away all his strength. He bent down and sat on his knees, then painfully complained to Allah, "Yaa Allah... Why Rukaiya... my best childhood friend... my first wife... my backbone... how could she deceive me this brutally? Rukaiya knew how desperately I was craving for a child. She knew how deeply I loved Jodha, and knowingly she insulted her, she slapped her, she kicked her out of this palace. How could she break my heart and dreams??? Dreams of my little angel, Dreams of my little prince. She never even once thought about how I will get shattered when my dream breaks. Rukaiya, I have given everything you have ever wished for, and what have you given me in return? What happened to your love? You always said that you love me more than anything then how could you do all this?"

A few minutes later, Jalal returned to his senses and realized that Wahida was still standing there shivering. Jalal called a guard and instructed him to lock her up in the next chamber and warned them to keep it confidential. He also guided him to use the door from his enclosure.

Then he called another guard in his chamber and instructed him to tell Abdul to see him urgently.

Seeing Jalal's pale and teary face, Abdul got scared. He worriedly asked, "What happened, Shahenshah? Is everything okay? You look miserable?"

With a heavy heart, Jalal informed Abdul, the entire conversation between him and Wahida.

Abdul also got staggered after an earshot about Rukaiya's fake pregnancy. He fathomed immediately what agony Jalal was going through. He kept his hand on Jalal's shoulder and assured, "Jalal, I can understand your pain, but you have to keep patience and keep faith in Allah; everything will get sorted out soon."

Jalal dryly chuckled, looking at Abdul, and stated, "Abdul, Sorted out, what will sort of, Trust me. Nothing will get better; there is Nothing left to get better? Tell me, What else do I have left? Everything is finished; Jalal is wholly ruined, the people I trusted the most have broken my trust, the person I treated like my mother she coldly slid the knife inside my heart brutally. The person who was my closest childhood friend and my lawfully wedded first wife has not only betrayed me, but she played with my love, my queen Jodha and the entire Awam's emotions. She hurt me inside out. Everyone close to me is playing tricks on me, first Adham, then Abul Mali, Maham, and now Rukaiya; all of them were close to my heart, whom I trusted blindly. What else I have left in my life now, my love, my heart, my life Jodha begum also left me alone."

Abdul sadly said, "Jalal, I am again saying the same words, keep faith in Allah. Don't lose your courage and keep fighting. First, you need to prove your love, innocent. Think about the future."

Jalal took a deep sighed out, and in a sad tone, he said, "I need one hour."

After an hour, Jalal met Abdul.

Jalal, in a composed tone, "Abdul, I have a plan."

Rukaiya and Maham both received a threatening message from Wahida summoning both them 'See me urgently in fifteen minutes in a room next to the clinic. If you don't come now, then I will have no choice other than to reveal the truth.'

The fear ran down Maham's core after reading the message from Wahida. She started to sweat even though it was winter. Her expression packed up with numerous emotions; She was panicked and angry at the same time.

Jalal walked into Maham's Chamber at the same time without announcement to see her reaction. Maham fumbled seeing Jalal in her chamber, she immediately rolled back the letter and tried to hide, but it was too late.

Jalal asked quizzically, "Badi Ammi, why are you looking so nervous??? Why are you sweating?"

Maham answered while fumbling, "Ji... J..alal...No nothing... Just that the winds are too mild today, so it feels a bit hot."

With a casual expression, Jalal asked, "Who wrote this letter to you, Badi Ammi? I am sure it's not an official letter."

Maham's face turned pale, and nervously she responded, "Jalal, nothing important, this letter is from Resham."

Jalal responded in a laidback voice, "Oh, yes, Resham is not back yet? Badi Ammi, tell me, how are you adjusting to your new routine? I am truly missing you soon. I will start coming to you to get your advice on political matters. I want to make sure you are well and healthy." Maham was supposed to see Wahida in a few minutes; hence Jalal didn't want to give her much time to think; thus, he spent about ten more minutes there and then left her chamber."

Jalal walked into Rukaiya's chamber without any announcement after many days and quietly stood in the corner. He wanted to observe her reaction after reading that letter. When Jalal entered, she read the letter from Wahida; gradually, her expressions changed; first, her face turned pale and scared, then her face got filled with fuming anger. She threw the letter on the floor and started to walk rapidly back and forth in the chamber. Her behavior confirmed Jalal's doubt that she was also involved. He walked out with disappointment and disgust. The confirmation of her betrayal broke him. A lonely tear rolled out from his eye. With a deep groan, he rubbed his tears and focused back on his mission.

Maham and Rukaiya, with edgy and creepy miens, paced to the chamber where Wahida was waiting for both of them.

Rukaiya and Maham both entered the chamber simultaneously and looked around to make sure no one looked at them.

After confirming, Rukaiya shouted at Wahida, "Badtameez, Namakharam, You stupid bitch. How dare you send me a message like this??? Have you forgotten that I am the chief consort of the Mughal Empire? Do you have any idea about the consequences of extorting?"

Wahida looked at them fearfully and replied, "Forgive my audacity, but unknowingly I got involved in a big crime. Queen Rukaiya, for your fake pregnancy Wazir-E-Alia got that ark from me and proved Queen Jodha culprit. It was a big conspiracy; Wazir-E-Alia never told me why she wanted that drug. Now I am petrified, I can't sleep anymore, all the time I feel that I will get caught, so I have decided to move out of Agra, but for that, I need five thousand Dinar."

Rukaiya loudly yelled angrily, "You scoundrel, Do you have any clue who you are compelling? What are you going to do if we don't give you Dinar? You will tell everyone that I faked my pregnancy, and you think people will believe you. Listen, you stupid, we have planned the entire plot very wisely, and we have not left any proof; even Chief Healer was not able to find out that I was not pregnant. Do whatever you want to do? But I am sure because of your stupidity, you will end up in jail for a lifetime for confronting Badi ammi and me."

Maham continued in a threatening tone, "You greedy woman, we have already given five thousand Dinar to get us that ark secretly. Was that not enough for you??? So now you are asking for more money and extorting us. ARE you threatening us? Listen carefully; you better get going and leave Agra; otherwise, your condition will be worse than death."

Jalal... Salima... Hamida... Abdul... Fufijaan... Atgah sahib... Maulvi... Everyone was hiding and listening to their conversation... Queen Salima's eyes widened, Hamida's mouth left open; it was shocking for all of them.

It was enough proof to prove that Rukaiya and Maham planned the entire plot; Jalal couldn't hold any longer. He came out from the hiding place with everyone while clapping and loudly yelled sarcastically, "Wah Rukaiya Wah!!!" "Excellent, my Queen, what plan!!!"

Seeing everyone in the chamber, Maham and Rukaiya both grew numb. Their eyes extended in panic, and they forgot to breathe. Seeing everyone's expression, they instantly realized that they both were caught red-handed.

Rukaiya looked at Jalal confusingly; what just happened, she couldn't understand? Her fearful and baffling expression annoyed Jalal more; he walked rapidly and slapped Rukaiya three times without mercy. He smacked her so hard that she started to bleed from the corner of her lips.

She shivered to perceive the devil in Jalal. She began to cry loudly and tried to excuse it out, but before she uttered a word, Jalal roared with fuming red eyes, "Not a single word."

Everyone got terrified of Jalal's monstrous rage. His blood was boiling to kill her. He screeched out loud, "You bloody crook... you devil... you played with my emotions. You have hurt every person in my sultanate. You lied about your pregnancy; what kind of a person are you? Disgusting... I am feeling ashamed of myself to say that you were my closest friend??? Your betrayal will be written in history with black ink. You gave me a fake dream so that you can shatter it. Shame on you; you have defamed the Mughal sultanate. You don't deserve to be a mother; I feel like choking you till you die."

When she realized Jalal would kill her at any moment, she had never faced him this mad. Rukaiya ran to get shelter from Hamida. In a begging tone, she said, "Ammi Jaan, save me from Jalal; he will kill me."

Hamida gave her a low disgusting stare and slapped her harshly. "Rukaiya ... you deserve worse than death. You have spoiled Mughal sultanate's reputation; get out of my sight." She pushed her towards Jalal.

When Ruqaiya comprehended that she had Nothing left in her defense, she shouted furiously while looking at everyone, "Yes, I pretended to be pregnant. Since my childhood, I walked behind Jalal; I supported him in everything. I cried with him in his pain and smiled in his happiness; I changed myself for him. I forgot what I wanted; I have given him my entire life, but what did I get in return. Nothing... Neither was he able to give me a child, nor was he able to love me? And, that Rajvanshi Queen, he gave her everything... his love... his attention... he even made her Malika E Hindustan." She stared at Jalal bitterly and continued, "Jalal... I don't have any regret for what I have done. I am so happy I successfully separated you from your so-called love. I wanted you to feel the same pain that I am suffering every day, every second. I will pray to Allah that you don't find her ever."

Everyone got so shocked to see Rukaiya behaving so low and disgusting.

Jalal grumbled, "Rukaiya, Do you know why you were running behind me? Because you wanted power, you wanted begum e khaas position; you wanted to rule on my harem; you wanted political power. I was always truthful in our friendship; I gave you everything you desired; I gave you power that you starved for, but I never said that I love you. I have so many queens, but I can't love everyone. I respect and care for all of them, but it is not in my hand to love someone. In reality, you just wanted to control me, control my brain. Perhaps God has purposely not given you a child because you don't deserve to be a mother. You are not jealous of me and Jodha's closeness, but your problem is that I made her Malika E Hindustan. You are worse than my biggest enemy. And, you are saying that Jodha is a devil and a player. No one in the world can be as pure as her; she is selfless, divine, and an untainted woman. Never say a word against Jodha." he paused and ordered in an imposing tone, "Guards, arrest this woman and keep in her chamber and take her away from my sight."

Jalal looked at Maham with bloody red eyes... his tears were flooding out endlessly; everybody was shaken seeing Jalal's condition. It was difficult to predict that he was angry more or he was hurt more.

Maham was making plots in her mind to come out of this mess. With her fake tears, she ran towards Jalal and hugged him firmly and in a vulnerable tone said, "Please forgive me, Jalal... Rukaiya trapped me in her scheme; otherwise, I would never make this big mistake."

Jalal became more enraged after seeing her fake drama; he shouted bitterly, "Stop it, Badi Ammi... It's enough excuses. I know your acts very well, Badi Ammi. I know you well enough; you won't hesitate to kill someone for your little benefit. After seeing all this drama, all my doubts got cleared. You played with Jodha and me from the beginning; you have tried to rift us, you tried to kill Jodha many times. What do you think? I don't know anything, I always had doubts about you, but I kept my silence since I had no proof. Even though I knew what kind of person you are, I always thought you loved me, and you will never hurt me. I also gave you what you wanted? I made you Wazir-E-Alia; I gave you more respect than my own mother. After what you have done to me, no one will be able to trust their dudh maa (Milk Mother).

Do you know that you have really got success today? You wanted to punish me for killing Adham. Clap for your success Badi Ammi. Your mission is successful; Jalal is shattered. Even after this horrendous betrayal, I still love you, Badi Ammi, I will never forget your unconditional love, but I do not want to see you again. " He looked at her one last time with pain and love. He repeated the same sentence in a faint tone, "Jalal is shattered."

Tears started to flood out from his eyes profoundly, and he slid both of his hands in his hair and sat on his knees. He broke out with a loud cry. Everyone's tears rolled out, seeing Jalal's vulnerable condition. After viewing Jalal's state, Hamida took over and loudly ordered, "Guards arrest her and keep her in your chamber, tomorrow in Diwan E khaas Queen Rukaiya, and Maham Anga's punishment will be announced."

Hamida sat next to Jalal and hugged him warmly, then caressed his back for a long time. He cried like a little child on Hamida's shoulder for a long time. He kept his sorrow inside himself and acted strong during the last three weeks, but today he was absolutely devastated by the end.

My Point of view: Maham: I feel at some point she loved Jalal, but after Adham's death, she lost all of her mercy, and revenge took over. So I m still thinking about the death penalty or not?

Rukaiya: She has spent her entire life for Jalal, she could have given the death penalty to Jodha, but she didn't, so I feel she doesn't deserve the death penalty.

Don't forget to vote and answer my questions, please.