Chittorgarh, Mewar.

1557

"Do you like it?" Rana asked, his hand clutching Jodha's wrist as he rushingly guided her through his Home- pointing at this corner, showing her some ancient wall- showing her the beautiful gardens, the harsh training grounds.
She laughed as Rana's enthusiasm worked to make her giddy. She could only keep up with his long strides if she half ran and half walked behind him. In Pratap's mind, the sound of her payals and her laughter seemed to brighten up the ancient stones of Mewar, in his mind...Jodha fit perfectly in his Home.  

"Like it?" Jodha asked in disbelief, looking around the Legendary Palace of Chittorgarh and she heard Rana laugh delightedly at the absolute disbelieving wonder in her voice. This palace had birthed the most Valiant Rajputs and the bravest warriors, perhaps there was something in the water or the air here that made a person feel braver than in any other place in Hindustan. This palace was the start of the Rajputs... it was a thousand years of History, seeped with blood and vermillion, and its bricks were baked with the burning fire of thousands of Rajput women and the love of its people. 

Chittorgarh had been home to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs for centuries- the strong and fearless clan, in fact, Jodha could name some valiant names off the top of her head that this place had made.
There was Rana Kumbha who was responsible for making Chittorgarh as strong and unbreachable as it stood today a century ago. There was Rana Sanga who even after losing a hand and a leg in the many wars he'd fought still went out to fight Babur- the first Mughal Badshah.
There was Meera Bai, who happily drank poison to prove her innocence and yet the poison did not affect her, Meera Bai left for Dwarka and only years later could she be persuaded to come and teach at Amber University- Meera Bai was now quite old, about 60 years old but her voice was still beautiful and her love for Krishna still pure and abiding.

Finally, Rana pulled to a stop and allowed her to look around the beautiful room.
Jodha looked around the chambers, frowning, something about these chambers felt very... familiar... she shook her head and remembered whose chambers she stood in, whose chambers Rana had been excited to bring her to--Rani Padmini's.
There was another brave Chittori, Jodha smiled thinking, Rani Padmini was a Rajput by marriage and so she couldn't say that it was Rajput blood which made her brave but still, there had been none other braver than this Queen.

Over 200 years ago when Allauddin Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, intrigued by the tales of the matchless beauty of Padmini, Rani of Chittor, of her wit and charm, decided to verify this fact himself.

His armies surrounded Chittor, and the Sultan sent a message to Rana Ratan Singh, Padmini's husband, to say that he would spare the city if he could meet its famous queen.
The compromise finally reached was that the Sultan could look upon Padmini's reflection if he came unarmed into the fort.

Accordingly, the sultan went up the hill and glimpsed a reflection of the beautiful Padmini standing by a lotus pool. He thanked his host who courteously escorted Allauddin down to the outer gate where the Sultan's men waited in ambush to take the Rana Ratan Singh hostage.

There was consternation in Chittor until Padmini devised a plan. A messenger informed the Sultan that the Rani would come to him. Dozens of curtained palanquins set off down the hill, each carried by six humble bearers. Once inside the Sultan's camp, four well-armed Rajput warriors leapt out of each palanquin and each lowly palanquin bearer drew a sword. In the ensuing battle, Rana Ratan Singh was rescued-but 7,000 Rajput warriors died.
The Sultan now attacked Chittor with renewed vigour. Having lost 7,000 of its best warriors, Chittor could not hold out. Surrender was unthinkable. The Rani and her entire entourage of women, the wives of generals and soldiers, sent their children into hiding with loyal retainers. They then dressed in their wedding fine, slid their farewells, and while singing ancient hymns, boldly entered the massive pyre and performed Jauhar.

By now, Rana had brought her to the very place it had happened. Jodha touched the painted hands outside the door of the Jauhar Kund and shivered, how many women burnt themselves down after Padmini-- Jodha closes her eyes as screams echo in her mind, and her hand went to clutch her forehead as she lost her balance, only Rana's presence saved her from tumbling down the steps, his hand holding her arm and back to keep her standing.

"Are you okay, Heera?" He asked with a worried frown before asking, "Have you had anything to eat or drink?" Jodha nodded, Rani Jaivanta Bai- Rana's mother- had had a veritable feast prepared in her honour and Jodha wasn't hungry- no this was something else.... there was just something about this Place. It was too-- too painful to be here. The Chambers she had seen before, the Jauhar Kund, the picture of Rana Ratan Singh... the lotuses in the water--Everything here was entirely too familiar as if she was dreaming the same dream for the second time. 

"Did I ever come to Chittor when I was young?" Jodha asked as Rana guided her gently into a sitting position before ordering a server to get some water.

"I do not believe so, Heer. Mother mentioned yesterday that Mewar would be hosting you for the first time. Why do you ask? What is it? Is it the Jauhar Kund- we could leave, Heera, I only brought you here because you insisted!" Rana said, his tone worried as he took a frustrated hand through his hair. He handed a glass of water to her and made sure that she drank it all.

"I know," She agreed, "I just wished to see this place. How must have they felt then... how dreadful had the situation been that Rani Padmini had to resort to this?"

"Not just Padmini, Heera, aye she is the most famous to have committed Jauhar but she hardly started the process. Many Rajput women have done the same whenever a war happens against Muslims. Sometimes... men luckily came back from the war but their women had already burnt themselves- it happens in the anticipation of defeat, not even in the event of defeat. It is the fear that kills, fear of dishonour, fear of disrespect."

Jodha's eyes watched the place and she closed her eyes as the pain in her head worsened,

"Distract me, Rana. Say something else." She requested and she felt him come to stand in front of her, blocking her view of the Jauhar Kund. The screams in her mind got less loud...

"Okay...so, Mother was over the moon when she heard you were to visit and so was I. Thank you, I know you chose to come here instead of visiting Amber, for which I will send an apology to Raja Bharmal but it will be done without any real regret. I know I've been pestering you to come to visit for too long and you only got tired and gave in." He said, his voice wry and she smiled, he had been pestering her for the better part of 6 years and yes she had given up and visited but she did not regret it. Rana's home was beautiful. 

"Everyone loves you here, Heera," Rana laughed, "My mother especially, she can't stop singing your praises to the family, even Guruji praised you in front of Father. Your answers must have really impressed him."

Jodha smiled tremulously as her words echo back to her, her voice mixing with another as she answered the questions asked by Acharya (Teacher) Raghav Chetan, Rana's guru and teacher. An extremely wise and intelligent man who was a Brahmin whom Jodha could respect, his questions had been to the point and complicated and she tried to keep her answers the same.

"...Roop ya Gunn?"

"Sambhaliye, Rani Sa, aapri pareeksha ho rhi hai. Bataiye, Roop ya Gunn?" Came Rana's voice and a pang of hurt and loss along with it. 
Jodha shook her head, Rana was fine and well in front of her... why was she feeling his loss so deeply when Rana was fine? And when did Rana ever call her 'Rani Sa'- she clutched her head- Rana always called her Heera then why was she-- why did she hear him say--

"Gunn."

"Aur roop?"

"Voh toh dekhne waale ki aakhon mein hota hai."

"Arthaath?"

"Kisi ko patthar me Shivling dikhta hai aur kisi ko Shiviling me bhi patthar."

"Hmm. Jeevan ka varnan teen shabdo mein."

"Amrit, Prem aur Tyaag."

"Prem... kya hai?" Her eyes watered as she allowed her feelings for Rana to envelop her-- Jodha, shook her head a little... her feeling for Rana? But Rana was her friend. She... did she love Rana? No. It would have been nice if she had loved him like that, easier... but Jodha did not. She did not love Rana, not like that and yet she remembered replying, 

"Ishwar ki aankh mein ubhra hua khushi ka aansu."

"Aansu, kya hai?"

"Sukh aur Dukh ki hadd."

"Sukh, kya hai?" The screams of men dying on the battlefield as women burned themselves-- Jodha shook her head again, she had to leave this place lest the screams of the dead plague her forever. How many had she led-- she? Jodha whimpered in pain and she heard Ran call her name. Jodha- why was Jodha blaming herself for the Jauhar? It had been Padmini and NOT Jodha who had led all those women to their deaths and it had been done voluntarily. But it did drive a point home, A Person can find happiness even in suicide- Happiness was a delusion, an illusion. 
And she'd always known that, perhaps that's why she had replied,

"Bhram."

Raghav Chetan's eyes looked at her as if he wished to take a look inside her head and read its secrets but instead, he had continued asking-

"Suna hai, aap Yudh neeti ki bhi jaankar hai, Jodha Bai."

"Jee."

"Ranbhoomi me sabse bada shastra?"

"Himmat."

"Zindagi me sabse kathin ghadi?"

"Pareeksha ke baad parinaam ki."

"Aur sabse badi bhent?" He aimed at her and her eyes rose to meet his as she joined her hands in Pranaam,

"Aashirwaad."

They had left the Acharya's temple then, Rana had many things to show her and the time was limited but the fact that the Acharya had praised her in front of Maharana Udai Singh- Rana's father- told her that she had passed his test with flying colours.
In Jodha's mind, a woman's image formed... she was beautiful beyond measure, her eyebrows joined forming a bow above her eyes, a curtain of beauty was her eyelashes... but it was her eyes, her beautiful amber eyes that made Jodha gasp and say-

"Take me somewhere else, Rana. Anywhere but here." She said and he gently guided her towards her own chambers, her female guards following them. Rana gently guided her to the bed and she curled away in pain. He stroked her head a few times and whispered,

"Rest, Heera and wake up well."

*

Jodha was Dreaming again. 
She could hear the rustle of the trees the sounds of nature... Was she in Gondwana? No, Rajah wasn't with her and not once had she visited the Gondi Forests without Rajah beside her ever since the bear incident... so she was somewhere else? But where?

Suddenly, she drew her arrow and shot it in the direction she thought the deer was in but when she parted the tall grass, she saw... she'd shot Him. Who was he?  
'Rana Ratan Singh' 
The answer reverberated through her soul...she knew him. She knew him better than she knew herself. 

She loved him, she married him and she became Queen of Chittor, of Mewar and then HE took Ratan away... She tried to save her husband and she was able to achieve her goal but at a great loss. Men died to save her husband from HIS clutches. Allaudin's clutches. 

HE attacked again, this time with all his might, his obsession with her knowing no rest, no stop.

Now they had only a choice... a choice of either dying with respect or living a life filled with disrespect, dishonour and torture.

Jodha looked in the mirror, a little shocked when she saw Padmini instead-- Padmini smiled as she walked into the fire, the pain of losing her husband greater than any pain the fire could inflict on her person. The door was banged open and Allaudin's roared for her to stop but she had long been embraced by Fire.

'Do not repeat your mistakes.' Said the beautiful woman, said Padmini looking into Jodha's eyes through a curtain of water. 
'I don't understand.' Jodha replied, 
'If he sees you, he won't stop. Ever.' Padmini said and sighed, 'My marriage to Ratan was a short but happy one. I lead to his death-,' 
'Allauddin led to Rana Ratan Singh's death- ' 

'No. I did. Through the words of a seer in Sinhala, I had been told that I would belong to Hindustan's Sikander but when I saw Rana Ratan- I fell in love. I married him, knowing that I did not belong to him, knowing that I was challenging destiny... My Ratan died at the hands of Allauddin but it was I who killed him.' Padmini raised her eyes and looked at Jodha, 

'What would you say if I told you that the Sinhalese seer had meant Allauddin to be my husband?' 

'I would say she was mad. You married a Rajput, you became a Rajput... how can you say belong to that Afghan?' 

'Sometimes sacrifices are important, Jodha. Amrit, Prem, TYAAG...remember? I was perhaps the only one who could have turned Allauddin into a human, perhaps I would have lived an unhappy life, unloved life but the million others he killed could have been spared from his wrath.'

'Conjecture.' Jodha said, 'You do not know what might have happened. Padmini how can you even suggest-,'

'I fear history is to repeat itself. There is once again a Padmini, a Rana and a Beastly Sikander- you cannot allow history to repeat itself. Help others, do not be selfish as I was...do not lead your Rana into the clutches of Death-,' 

'Never! Rana is my best friend and I would never see him harmed, especially not for me.' Jodha snarled and Padmini looked at her with an expression that spelt understanding, 

'You Love your Rana, too... but it is a different sort of Love, isn't it? It is not the love a man feels for a woman but more the kind of love a Sister feels for a Brother. Good... you're already different than I was. Better too. You're stronger and will never lead 10,000 women to their deaths...Good, I regret that action of mine the most.'  

'Why come to me?' Jodha asked, 'Why come to give me such useless warnings? I knew already that I do not Love Rana-,'

'But you would have accepted his hand if he had asked.' Padmini stated as if it were a fact,
'I am telling you not to. He will be sad and your friendship will take a hit but at least he'll live.' 

'Why should I even believe a word you say?!' Jodha asked, anger in her voice but Padmini only smiled and looked Jodha deeply in her eyes, 
'Don't you recognize me?' Padmini asked softly and then, her eyes turned Golden. 

Jodha woke up with a gasp. She stood up and wobbled on legs that felt as weak as a colt's towards the mirror.
Then she laughed and laughed and laughed as tears ran down her cheeks, for in her reflection...

Her eyes were glowing Golden.

*

Jalal's War Tent, 
West Bengal, 1557

"Congratulations Jalal, on winning a war against a man such as Daud Khan and conquering West Bengal." Bairam Khan toasted Jalal's victory and the Shahenshah smirked.
He had finally grown into the throne he had been born for, filling the shoes his father left behind, quite well. Already the Soldiers sang Jalal's praises- praises of his calibre, his bravery and his skill which was proving to be greater than both his father and that of Bairam Khan himself.

"Couldn't have done it without you, Khan Baba," Jalal said as he sharpened his sword which had dealt the killing blow to Daud Khan. Now, he always kept one weapon each from both his fathers, the Gold dagger from Badshah Humayun and this beautiful sword from Bairam Khan accompanied him everywhere. Every second.

"West Bengal is a big win for us, Jalal... Why not celebrate this with a marriage?" Khan Baba suggested and Jalal smirked,

"Where did all the women from Daud Khan's harem go?"

"They merged into your Harem, where else will they go?"

"And how many women are in my Harem, currently?" Jalal asked, not taking his eyes off his sword. The edge was so sharp that had a butterfly come and sat on it, it would have been sliced from the middle. 

"Maham would know better," Khan Baba started but Jalal shook his head,

"Estimate it."

"Well, 2000 concubines were gifted to you by Afghanistan for not attacking them, Islam Shah sent 600 of his personal slaves for your enjoyment- he was thanking you for allowing him and his army to camp in Punjab, WHICH may I ask, why are you helping Islam Shah, Sher Shah Suri's son of all people?!" Khan Baba asked, looking completely stumped and Jalal smiled,

"He has his uses. Continue with the Harem count Khan Baba, you're getting distracted an awful lot."

"Allah only knows what goes on in your head Jalal," Khan Baba murmured under his breath and Jalal's teeth made an appearance in a parody of a smile, his surma-lined eyes shined in the darkness of the tent. 
Bairam Khan continued, 

"After that... about a 1000 kaneez (Slave girls, Random girls picked up from the street and turned into slaves) were collected from here and there by you- happy from their services during war times and about 5000 Concubines came as gifts from various people when you finally moved into Badalgarh, Agra. That's all I know, there could be more."

Jalal looked at Bairam Khan with confusion but his eyes remained mischievous,
"So if I have around 9000 women, waiting for me back in Agra... Why should I marry?"

"The Princess of West Bengal-,"

"- Is Mine." Jalal stated, pausing in his work.

"Just as West Bengal is Mine. And everything in it is MINE... I won it, Khan Baba. The Princess is akin to... a Trophy." Jalal said, waving his hand in dismissal before standing and putting his sword back in its sheath. He looked at Khan Baba who still looked like he wished to say something and Jalal couldn't help but subtly roll his eyes. He took long strides towards the exit of the tent- the birds fluttered in their cages and he smirked... another bird was going to be added to that cage- the Harem soon. 

"There shall be no more talks on this, Khan Baba. I have already spoken and decided- The Princess of West Bengal is to be welcomed into my Harem. Without a Marriage. See it done." 

Khan Baba sighed and asked,

"Will you at least tell me why you've allowed Sher Shah Suri's son to take refuge in your territory of Punjab? He could be a threat to your rule, Jalal."

"No, I will not and No, He can't pose me any threat. The only threat Islam Shah can truly pose- is to beautiful women, I, fortunately, happen to be a very Beautiful Man." He said cheekily while smirking and finally, Khan Baba huffed out a chuckle too. Jalal then asked, 

"How is Rahim?" Rahim was Khan Baba's son with Salima Begum and he was newly born. Unfortunately, Khan Baba's first wife had passed away just before Rahim was born- hence his name, Rahim for Khan Baba's first wife- Rahima. 

Khan Baba sighed, knowing well that Jalal was trying to distract him from his objective of talking more about Marriage and Islam Shah.
"Rahim is well or at least that is what the letter says. Jalal, let's at least visit Agra once before the next conquest?" He asked and Jalal shook his head,

"We cannot, We were just there...some months ago!" Jalal said, he had many plans and they would remain unfulfilled if he left for Agra now.

"9 months Jalal. Of continuous Battles, you used to love to return to Agra, you loved that place."

"I still do." Jalal intoned with his eyes on the moon outside.
 He did love Agra more than anything but lately- well for the past few years now he'd felt unsettled whenever he went to Agra. Agra was the place he had woken up to after...well after.

Jalal's grip on the bannister tightened. He had been searching and looking everywhere, he'd even tried to get Hawaii to tell him or take him back to where he had taken Jalal after the Battle in Baluchistan but to no avail. 

Baluchistan was His but Victory had felt hollow... not just the victory of Baluchistan, but every victory since had felt tasteless. Joyless. 

His hand went to his chest, covering the scar with his hand over his Royal attire and Khan Baba's eyes became wary, cautious. 

"Jalal-,"

"I know, 'You don't know.' " Jalal said, his hand falling from his chest and Khan Baba looked away, his lips pursed. 

"That's what you always say Khan Baba- 'I don't know, Jalal. You are being too delusional Jalal, You hallucinated everything Jalal, You were not well Jalal!'" Jalal paused, before turning away from Khan Baba and back to look at the Moon. 

"Just as I know that you lied. All Hakims have been given a patient as injured as I was and they have all died-- no one was able to save them."

"You did What?!" Khan Baba asked, his eyes wide and Jalal shrugged,

"They were all enemies, Khan Baba, no need to look so shocked. It was an experiment- The left side of their chests was shot with an arrow and the Hakims were called to save their lives... they all failed. This leaves only a few options open, Khan Baba- whatever was done to me was either too experimental and dangerous or it was done by a... Hindu." Jalal said and saw a foreign feeling of 'Panic' enter Khan Baba's eyes. 
His mentor opened his mouth to probably say something distracting to deviate Jalal's attention from this line of thought, but Jalal did not let him-

"Uh huh-," Jalal said, his finger moving side-to-side to stop Khan Baba from uttering a single word,

"So, Khan Baba," Jalal stated softly, his eyes closing as he imagined himself back in those healing caves, lying on a stone slab... in a lot of pain but feeling- perhaps for the first time- something akin to peace. 

"Rajputana, Gondwana, Gujrat, the entire South of Hindustan... there is too much ground to cover." Jalal said as he started leaving, "So you see, Khan Baba, I cannot return to Agra. Not yet."

But Jalal stopped when Khan Baba said, insistingly, 

"You think I am lying to you Jalal? You were half-dead when you saw this- this apparition! How can you trust in a vision you saw while you were half dead over me?" 

Jalal smiled bitterly,
"Your left eye flutters when you lie, Baba and anyway, not only do I know that what I saw was true but I also know that you saw HER too." The burn of jealousy was acidic and its hold was strong. Khan Baba had seen her...
He did not blame the man for lying because Jalal would have done the same. Kept the ethereal vision of her private and HIS. 

He could see the question in his Baba's face and answered, 

"Because Khan Baba, what are the chances of you not following Hawaii as he took me- injured and dying- to this magical land to get healed? What are the chances that you did not see HER as she saved my life? What...are...the chances?"

"I too was injured, Jalal-,"

"No, you weren't and I know this too because when I woke up, you were there, beside me, in the same attire you had been in during the battle against Baluchistan. It was obvious that you had not left my side even once. Not even to change your bloody and ashy clothes...and you wish for me to believe that you left me alone when I was dying- while some stranger was performing surgery on me... Do you take me for a fool?!" Jalal hissed. 

These questions had plagued him ever since he had started his search for this Fairytale of a Kingdom, the doubt that Khan Baba was for some reason protecting this Kingdom from him, that Khan Baba was lying to him. That Khan Baba was betraying him. 

"Be that as it may, we're not yet ready to wage a war at such a massive scale, Jalal-,"

"I do not care. You tell me where SHE is now and I promise that I won't attack. I promise I won't hurt her. I promise that I will cherish her- I promise to Marry Her!"

"I DON'T KNOW, JALAL!" Khan Baba burst out in frustration- still closer to pulling out all of his hair than he was to confessing the truth to Jalal. 

"Khan Baba-,"

"I don't know! But I can tell you this that had you not been dying and in need of medical help, SHE would have killed you herself."

"So, she is Real." Jalal said, falling onto a chair in relief and Khan Baba looked like he wished to take his words back, "What's her name?"

"I don't-," Khan Baba began but Jalal was tired of listening to the same damn thing, he raised his hand to stop the man. 
"The truth." Jalal's glare softened, "Please." 

Oh, how the days since he saw her had made Jalal desperate enough to-- to Beg. 

Bairam Khan sighed and sat down slowly, measuring his words in his mind. Jalal could see him breaking, the blood in Jalal's ears rushed--eager. 

"I did not really lie- I was injured and delirious with worry as I blindly followed Hawaii- followed you. When we reached this Kingdom...Hawaii became...loud. To say the least. People came from inside this land and blindfolded me before taking us to these...massive caves.
An old man tended to you for a while before calling for-" 

"Her." Jalal's voice was sure with belief and Khan Bada nodded with barely held back hesitation. 

"When I saw her, her face was covered- I saw only what you saw. Even less, for I saw her only from a distance but it was obvious she was respected. Skilled. Wary. 
I wasn't allowed in that cave with her inside for long but I know she treated you as best as she could and then at dawn she left you...
Our deal was that she'd heal you and in turn, I was to never repeat this to anyone. And never return."

"You've lied to me for three years..."

"I've protected you for three years! You're building her up to something she is not, Jalal. She was married and old-," Khan Baba said and Jalal snorted, cutting his old man off with his own rebuttal-

"She was young and her fingers were without a ring- I saw both her hands. Unwrinkled and Ringless. A freckle on the inside of her palm and delicate wrists- Don't sell lies to me, Khan Baba, I won't buy them!"

"She was performing Surgery, you fool! Do you think she'd wear rings there?! They could fall into the wound and cause untold infections.
She couldn't be young because she was SKILLED! Too skilled to be young." Bairam Khan's arguments held logic, they held intelligence. They held manipulation. They...continued,
"You were on enough drugs to fell an elephant, how can you trust- how can you obsess over-- over this lie! You are losing sense of reality!"

Jalal laughed sharply and replied,

"I saw her, Khan Baba! She was real, I remembered her even as you continued to lie to me FOR THREE YEARS! 
So right now I am a little less inclined to believe you or your words about her. No matter the drugs, no matter the pain- "Jalal spoke and Khan Baba's expression told him that he hated Jalal's memory at that moment, no matter how useful it was,"-I felt her... I remember her smell, like dew-dipped roses and soothing like the scent of earth after rain."

"I remember her fingers in my hair, soothing away my pain. On my chin, as she tipped my head back and sated my thirst. On my chest, pushing me back into the embrace of sleep." 
Jalal's eyes opened as if from a flashback and Bairam Khan asked, 

"What do you want Jalal-- If she was here, what would you do?" 

"I would thank her." Jalal replied snappingly-fast and Khan Baba scoffed out a disbelieving laugh and said,

"Well, she would kill you. No hesitation. No pause." 

Jalal shrugged, 
"My life is hers." 

Thundercloud of anger took over Bairam Khan, 
"NO! Your life is your Kindom's. Your People's."

"Is this why you've been lying to me- betraying me- for the last three years. You fear what I'll do once I see her. You fear that I'll betray my Kingdom for her. I won't." 

"You AREADY are! Jalal - you are obsessed! And it blinds you! Do you not remember Allauddin Khilji, do not remember how an obsession much like this led to his ruin."

"Those two situations are not comparable, Khan Baba, for one Padmini was married and for two... I am Jalal-ud-din, not Alauddin." Jalal had two of his fingers out to enunciate his point.

"Jalal, son," Khan Baba's hands came to rest on his shoulders, "I answered your questions- take it as a reward for your victory in the Battle today. Now I ask you- nay, Beg you. Forget Her." 
Perhaps, seeing the defiance on Jalal's face, Khan Baba's grip on his shoulders tightened, as if he was barely stopping himself from shaking the sense into his King. 


"Forget her," Bairam Khan repeated and with passion he whispered, "Or she'll be your ruin." 

*

 
Hindustan, the land he knew he would rule one day, was right in front of him just waiting for him to take it. Mir Dawar had outdone himself with his work in Agra and with Jalal's throne and once again with this Carved Table, Mir Dawar had once again proved to be a gem in Jalal's employ.

His eyes moved to Rajputana on the table and he shook his head. Too big especially now that all those stubborn Kings had somehow managed to become allies. His eyes then moved to the South of Hindustan and he knew that South would remain just a dream if he did not defeat Gondwana first- His eyes looked at Gondwana on the table and he took the Mughal Lion and hovered it over the Naturally Protected land- the seas protecting its east, the forests protecting its west, the eastern ghats to the North of Gondwana and a well-fortified army in Golconda to its South.

 If Jalal did not win Gondwana then his entry into the South of Hindustan will be impossible -Gondwana had always protected the South from any Invasion and hence the South was the strongest Pillar of Hindu Kings...of Hinduism.
If Mughal Dynasty wanted to go down in history as the Greatest then Jalal needed to take out the southern rulers- root and stem. 
But Gondwana was too well protected, too unknown... he needed someone with knowledge of that Kingdom. He also needed more experience- and for that, Jalal's eyes went to Gujrat. Hmm...maybe...

Something had to be done as Jalal also agreed with Khan Baba regarding the fact that Jalal was not ready for a war against the entirety of Rajputana-- how that had been made possible was also a fact that stumped Jalal, these small Kings, putting their pride and their self-interests to the side and joining arms against Jalal... He shook his head, he needed to clear his mind.

He pursed his lips and clapped his hands, when the server entered he said,

"Tell everyone to celebrate tonight, we return to Agra tomorrow."

The Servant's face brightened up and Jalal sighed, perhaps returning to Agra was best for now. His eyes were stuck on Gondwana on the Carved Table and the Lion he had been hovering over it was moved away and instead lowered on Agra.

---

Jodha was in Chittorgarh's Temple, pouring milk over the Shivalinga and tying a holy thread to one of the many Trishuls and joining her hands in a parting prayer.

"What did you ask for, Rani Sa?" Came the voice and Jodha did not startle, she'd felt herself being watched but did not get worried as she knew in Chittor she was safe.

She turned to face the Acharya and joined her hands again in Pranaam as Moti and Sujata came to stand beside her, forever her shadows while both Bheem and Rajah were back in Gondwana,

"I have everything I could possibly want, Acharya, I only prayed in Gratitude."

Acharya nodded,

"There is a problem I have been wanting to solve, will you be willing to help, My Queen?"

"Of course," She said with a smile, "If there is anything I can do to help then I will be willing."

The Acharya patiently asked,

"Do you know why a Brahmin is said to be the God's voice on Earth, Queen Jodha? Do you know why men like us are able to make Kings and Queens out of ordinary people? Why we are considered to be the closest to God?"

Jodha shook her head and her smile looked as if carved to perfection- how could she have discounted the fact that the Acharya was a Brahmin too? A caste which hated Jodha as declared her Queen of all things Unholy and wrong?

The Acharya walked towards the burning torches and held his hand over the fire- his face unlined with pain, before meeting Jodha's eyes and dipping his hand into the fire. Moti gasped behind Jodha and rushed to help but Jodha stopped her movement by lowering a hand a bit to her side while Sujata was standing still behind Jodha, watchful.

The Brahmin raised his hand out of the roaring fire and Jodha saw as he cupped his hand and when he raised it out, a small fire was dancing in his cupped hand- as if he were cupping water and not Fire.

"You see, you've angered many of the Brahmins and for my sake and yours, I must ask...Why? You were born into a royal family, you are Princess of Rajputana's crown state- Amber and the Queen of Gondwana- you were born this way because of your Karmas in your previous life-," At this Jodha held in a wince, if that were true then Jodha should have been born an Executor, for all the people she had led to their deaths by encouraging Jauhar.
"-Why disturb the Sacred Caste system? Why distribute power where it shouldn't be, where God has not willed it to be? Who are you to decide, Queen of Gondwana, what meaning does your word hold over HIS will?"

The Acharya came closer to her and this time she heard Moti and Sujata bang their spears loudly onto the ground in warning but that did not stop Brahmin. Moti raised her spear but Jodha lowered it with her finger,

"It was God's will to marry girls at an age of 5 or 6, to a man who was more than 20 years older?" She asked calmly and saw the Brahmin smile, the fire close to Jodha's face but she remained unafraid, even as he answered,

"Girls find it easier to adapt to marriage at that age, Rani Sa. A child learns quickly-"

"-Learns to accept Rape, you mean? Accept becoming a Sati when her husband dies 20 years before her, accepts the burden that her family will place on her to produce children at an age where she should be playing and learning. Accept... what, Brahmin? How can you pray to Maa Durga and then allow a man to marry a 5-year-old girl, how can you call yourself wise and good when you discriminate against half of your population."

The Brahmin remained quiet so Jodha continued,

"If Caste was really something so sacred then why was it so easy for me to shake its foundations and have it come toppling down Brahmin? If God really willed power away from ordinary people then why did he give them the same intelligence as us to understand everything being taught at the University?" Jodha asked, 
"If this is really God's will then he should have birthed the untouchable with spikes on their bodies, the Shudra with a plough in their hands and the Kshatriya with a sword strapped to them at birth, while a Brahmin with a book but that is not the case- a Brahmin can fight like Chanakya used to, A Kshatriya can sing like Ramtanu, like Mira Bai. A Shudra can become King- like Chandragupta Maurya and go on to build one of the greatest dynasties Hindustan ever saw. And a Vaishya can write books if he or she wishes." Jodha replied, going closer to him- and as she kept coming closer the fire in his hands changed colour to blue making the Brahmin look at it in shock. 


"These limitations of Caste were put on our society by the Brahmins, for Brahmins and hence the top of the food chain is led by a Brahmin- I will change that and I will see all these corrupt peddlers of Greed who use Religion to sow seeds of hatred among their own people come toppling down."

Jodha promised and this time instead of waiting around she joined her hands in a Pranaam and to finish, said, 

"I respect you Acharya but don't for once think that my respect for your knowledge will ever persuade me to give up this idea that your so-called sacred Caste system is useless and I promise to break it- no matter what but until then, Pranaam."

She gently blew air at the fire in his hands and the fire went off as if it was never there...and a second later neither was Jodha.

*

Jodha was in her chambers when Rana knocked and she smiled when he entered. He looked nervous when he said,

"I wish to speak to you about something...would you care to join me?"

"Of course." She then looked behind Rana and frowned, "I thought you were going to collect Ajabde, where is she?" She asked and Rana shook his head quickly,

"She must be on the way-- Heera, this is important, can you--,"

"-Yes, yes, fine," Jodha said chuckling a little, a bit surprised at how frazzled Rana looked, Moti started following her but Rana shook his head again, his hands turning into fists as he said,

"Alone, please."

Moti started to say something but Jodha, whose eyes were still stuck on Rana's fists, shook her head- whatever this was Rana needed it to happen alone and Jodha knew with him she was safe. So she raised her hand to stop Moti from saying anything and yet she did,

"Jodha, if anything happens to you Bheem will kill me and Rajah will help him take care of the body by eating it, please don't do this." Jodha chuckled and said,

"I am safe with Rana," Her eyes met Rana's and saw as his softened and some tension left him as she continued, "I always have been. Stay here Moti and call Sujata back to keep you company."

Moti bowed, her fist on her chest but Jodha knew her friend was against her decision.

Soon though, Jodha and Rana were wading through the forests of Chittor, and she had to laugh and say,

"You know, we need to stop doing this, Rana. Somehow the two of us always find ourselves in the thick of the Forest...also, please tell me there are no bears here in Chittor."

Rana laughed, much more relaxed outside and amidst trees than he had been in the Fort, he held out his hand to her and she smiled before grabbing it, her dress has been giving her trouble in the forest and his help was much appreciated.

That and also the fact that Rana was leading her somewhere... the destination though was unclear to her--soon though she heard something.

"Rana... tell me that's not what I think it is." He laughed and nodded and she squealed,

"Really?!"

"Really," He said, "I found it during a hunt and the moment I saw it, I knew I had to show you- through here, step on the stone...yes." He said guiding her through the narrow way through the shrubbery, when suddenly Jodha saw it, a disbelieving chuckle left her as she met Rana's eyes with her wide excited ones.
A waterfall!
It was not as big as the one there had been in the forests of Gondwana but so very Pretty nonetheless.

Jodha hopped in her place making Rana smile and the two of them ran together towards the pool where the water was being deposited. Jodha flung her sandals away, while Rana copied her movement before both of them jumped into the water- racing towards the Waterfall- Jodha won.

She laughed as she cleared the water from her face,

"This is Amazing! Rana, the best gift ever!" Jodha said, and he shrugged,

"Not as good as the gift you gave me but Good enough, I suppose." He said and Jodha beamed, she had brought a horse for Rana- he was pure white in colour, his mane silver and he had been born and brought up in Gondwana. If Purebred Gondi elephants were well known for their strength then Purebred Gondi horses were known for their speed and loyalty.

"Chetak is the best gift anyone has ever given me, Thank you Heera." He said as he came closer and she smiled,

"He is a Beauty and I knew he was to be yours, you know. Did you know- Simba, Toofan and Chetak are brothers!" SIMBA was the name of Jodha's own horse and he was pure Black just as Chetak was pure white, they looked beautiful together.

"I did know that fact, actually. What about Toofan, did he finally choose someone?" He asked, Toofan, the last of the trio was a beautiful Silver-grey in colour- among the three horses, Toofan was the fastest and yet he had yet to choose a rider much like how Chetak had chosen Rana and Simba had chosen Her.
Toofan rarely let anyone but Jodha ride him and she hoped he would choose someone soon. 

She shook her head,

"Not yet, I do believe that he is waiting for someone, but I know not who. I introduced him to both Maan and Sujamal Bhaisa but he rarely let them near himself." Jodha murmured, she was sad that Toofan was still riderless.

"I am sure he will find a rider soon, Heera, trust the process. And how does it feel to finally be crowned Queen?" Jodha smiled a little, she closed her eyes and floated in the water on her back.

"Its... I was already doing everything that a Queen ought to be doing while I was still Heir. My Grandmother is the last person to coddle anyone, so the transition was easier on me. It took a few months to get used to Grandmother not being called the Queen and instead having people bowing to me and calling me Queen but I did get used to it sooner than I thought I would." Jodha said and Rana remained silent, letting her unwind.  

"The thing that I hate most as Queen is perhaps the Council itself. This council has been the same ever since my Grandfather's time and the people in it are old to the point of being ancient and very conservative. Their imagination is exceptionally limited and they think a female ruler is easily manipulable...my grandmother may have been fine letting them think that about her but I am Not." She said and shrugged while Rana chuckled, 

"Surely that all will change with you at the helm now. You DID singlehandedly change the future of both Amber and Gondwana, managing some old and outdated men should be easy for you. " She snorted and shook her head while a blush climbed her cheeks- Rana always praised her too much. 

"All of that was a collective effort-," She started to say but Rana interrupted by splashing water at her face and she spluttered in shocked silence, 

"Shut up, take the compliment." He commanded and Jodha burst out laughing while he too snorted- only to regret it when water splashed on his face. 

A silent truce emerged now that they were even and Jodha let herself relax. 

She pushed herself on her back and floated serenely on top of the water, her ears submerged in silence. 
Her face heated as she realised that her clothing had been white... she had not anticipated this dip in the lake and Rana's impatience had scarcely allowed her to wear juttis only, not even giving her enough time to change...
White was transparent upon its-- she quickly straightened and submerged herself into the water up till her very nose and saw Rana's face-- bright red and turned away respectfully. 

"Shut Up!" She hissed and heard him laugh and exclaim,  

"I didn't say anything!" 

"I forgot!" She bemoaned and he laughed again, 

"I...can see that." He said and she splashed at him, 

"You said you wouldn't say anything! Gods Rana!" He snickered at her embarrassment, his face finally turned towards her, still a bit red but filled with humour. 
"It's fine, Heera." He comforted, "It's...you're not showing anything." 

"I know that!" She glared and they became silent, a bit awkward before Rana asked, 

"What is that which you're wearing?" He finally articulated and she raised a brow, her hands crossed in front of her chest even underwater. 

"What do you mean- they are still clothes, Rana, even if they have been rendered useless." 

"No...underneath that." He asked, shameless as he was and Jodha blushed yet again, 

"It's something new." She confessed and he smirked, 

"Where from? The street of Silk?" He asked and her eyes widened at them. Street of Silk, a polite way of addressing areas of ill repute, the residing area of tawaifs and the address of the Kingdom of Kothas. (Red-light district.)

"Nooo!" She whispered, "It's from Paris." 

"France." He noted with approval and before he could say anything she hissed, 

"Not another word." She mimed him sowing his lips shut but he only smiled with mischief, 

"I like it." He teased but soon sobered as Jodha blushed brighter, "But we should probably get out if you want your clothes to dry by the time we have to leave." 

She saw sense in that and nodded.
He got out first and sat down, his back to a tree such that his face was turned away from the lake which gave Jodha enough privacy to get out and sit down on the other side of the same tree. The tree between both their backs.

"You could always change the council, bring in new blood." He suggested, picking up the conversation from where they had left off and Jodha nodded, 

"I... tell no one but the plan is under works. The entire council is primed for replacement. Once new members are selected and settled, ruling Gondwana should be akin to sailing on calm seas."

"Have you involved Rani-- um Durgavati Devi in this plan of yours?"

"Grandmother needs rest, while I am here she is in Gondwana but as soon as I return she will go to Amber to visit Mother, then maybe visit Kedarnath or some other religious pilgrimage... she wishes for a break and I have no wish to make her worry."

"Yes, I guess, but you do know that you don't have to do it all alone, right?"

"What else could I do?" She asked, "Maan Singh and Sujamal Bhaisa both offered their help but they are not Gondi, Ramdeep is reluctantly helping as much as he can and all my friends in Gondwana hold almost no political power.
I am essentially alone, surrounded by old men who would sooner lead me with puppet strings than allow me to rule my own Kingdom and I can't ask for Grandmother's help because...truly I wish to prove to her that I can do it without her help- that I am ready and to not worry because I will take care of Gondwana."
Jodha found it easier to vent now that she couldn't see his face and the forest glade they had found themselves in was the definition of peace. 

She was thankful to Rana for bringing her here, she wondered what Rajah would think of this place. 

"I could help."

She smiled at his offer as she tilted her face up towards the sky, drinking in the bright sun. It warmed her skin feeling like a hug from her father and she knew her dress was almost fully dry by now. 

"No, you couldn't, you're not Gondi, Rana." She replied absently, she opened her braids to allow her hair to dry and saw Rana come around the tree and sit beside her as she was fully modest now. 
A look of fear crossed his face and Jodha thought it a little strange. Rana was Courage itself. 

"I could be." Came the stilted reply and Jodha...couldn't make sense of those words for a minute. 

"What?" She asked in confusion, pulling herself upright and looking at Rana.

"I said, I could be." He said, his eyes on the lake still but she could feel that his attention was fully upon her even if his eyes were not. "A Gondi." He clarified, not that Jdoha needed him to.
"I could become one."

For a person born outside of Gondwana, for them to become Gondi required...

The realization came slowly as if wading through the muck of her mind, and when it did it---

Rana turned his head towards her, his eyes- a comforting brown- vulnerable as she had never seen them before. 
He was asking--
Rana was...no. No. 

She stood up and started to leave, hurrying as she heard him get up to follow. 

"Heera." He called out and jogged a little to catch up to her, he gripped her wrist and turned her to him. 
"Heera, we've got to have it out."

She slammed the hand he held to his chest and disagreed, 
"No." 

"Please." He said softly, his eyes beseeching her to accept. 

Accept what? 
His love?- Since when!!!
His...what? Proposal?! WHY!?
Hey Kanha! What was she to do now? What was she to do?!


"Why?" She simply asked, her voice breaking and he smiled, 

"Why?" He repeated, he simply opened her fist that was on his chest and rested it above his heart, "Because I simply couldn't not anymore." 
His heart was beating hard enough that it synced with her own and she could feel-- blood rushed loud enough that she could hardly think let alone feel.

She freed her hand from his and was about to hurry away yet again but his grip on her wrist was strong. She watched as his hand released her wrist...he was allowing her to leave. She could leave now- she should leave now but it wouldn't be fair. Not to him...he deserved to have her hear him. 

"Since the day I stumbled upon you sequestered in that library... I have loved you. 
I tried to show you but you wouldn't... everyone saw but you.
And It's fine. But I must make you hear it now."

"Don't. Rana-" 

He shook her words away, 
"I need an answer, Jodha because I cannot Go on like this. Any longer and I fear that I..." Rana shook his head, his breathing was accelerated and his eyes were scared but determined. 

"Please, Please don't." She pleaded and closed her eyes as she would when she was a child and wanted to hide.

"I could give up everything- I could give up my right to throne of Mewar, the Heirship, the name, the Rajput identity, all to follow you to Gondwana. I could make Jagmal Singh the heir-,"

"-Gods, Rana." Jodha swallowed, how long had her friend been thinking about this? How... how long had he felt this for her? From the very start as he'd said or... maybe it was just a phase? Maybe he was just infatuated.

"I could give up everything, I could wait until you're ready- I could wait forever because-- because I Love You, Heera. Because I figured you'd love me too. And I realize that I'm not good enough and I am not this great man like Prithviraj Chauhan--,"

"--Yes! Yes, you are, Rana. You're the best man I've ever met and I do... I do love you but not the way you want me to." She said, her hands moving on their own accord to cup Rana's face between them, "I wish I could love you back but I... I don't know why I can't."

"Yes, you can." He said, his hands clutching her wrists- keeping her hands on his face.

"No, no Rana, I can't. I can't change how I feel..." His grip on her wrists loosened and her hands fell down, "and It would be a lie to tell you that I love you like a woman does a man when I don't. When I can't. I would know by now, Rana. I would know!" She said, a tear falling down her cheek... Rana's almost lifeless eyes followed its tracks down her cheek.
Rana had always hated it when she cried and he would always wipe them away but not today... today when he looked up to meet her eyes, his too were wet. 

"I can't love anyone else, Heer." He spoke up, "I only love you."

"Of course, you can!" She said, "You're the most wonderful man, Rana, girls will fall over themselves to be with you and one day you will find Her... the one who is smart and brave and beautiful and you will love her. So much. But I am not her." 

He smiled sadly, his eyes though...they were breaking her heart. 
"I don't want her to be anyone but you, Heera." He said, "Say yes...make me that happiest man in the world. We'd be perfect together, don't you see?" 

"We'd be horrible together." She sobbed, "We'd never fight, you'd adhere to everything I'd say, you'd treat me like a Princess and sacrifice everything for my sake." 

"What's wrong with that?" He asked with a shrug and Jodha laughed sadly, tears leaving her eyes freely, 

"Everything." 

"Say yes." He repeated and Jodha shook her head, 

"You have a destiny, Rana. You'll be legendary! Greater than Prithviraj Chauhan, greater than any Rajput before us. But me...I'll be your ruin." 

He only smiled,
"You will be...if you don't Say Yes." 

"I can't say yes Truly so I won't say it at all," Jodha said, her own tears slipping as she raised her hand to wipe his, he slapped her hand away- still gentle- but Jodha did it again, undeterred until he finally allowed it. His eyes fell close at the touch.

"Rana, you may not see it but I do- you will be a Great King so never-- And I mean it- Never, talk about giving up your Throne. Never, do you understand me? Eventually, you will see that I was right and you will thank me for it." She said with all her soul and yet he turned away,

"I'd rather die than realize this, Heer." He said, pulling away from her touch, "I've loved you all my life. Whenever we were apart, I would count the days until the next time I could see you. Whenever your letter came, I read it enough times to memorize each one of them. In every new language I learned, your name was the first thing I taught myself to write. I have loved you, Heer... more truly than I can confess-," He stopped himself and looked at her, looked at her silence and shook his head. Suddenly looking too tired to do anything. 

"Is there anything you'd wish to say?" He asked and Jodha looked deep into his pained eyes and shook her head. He nodded once and turned away-

"Except that-" She started, he immediately turned to face her, nodding for her to finish, "Rana, I don't believe I will ever marry. I am happy as I am, I love my liberty too well to be in any hurry to give it up-,

"-I think you're wrong about that, Jodha." He said and Jodha felt a pang go through her when he used her name instead of the many nicknames he'd given her, he smiled genuinely but sadly, painfully...

"I think you will marry. I think you'll find someone and you'll love them and you'll live and die for them because that's your way and-- and I'll Watch." He said, his gaze on her as If he had already said goodbye to her in his own mind even as she stood right there in front of him.

He then turned and walked away.

And Jodha did not stop him.

On wobbly legs, she slid down a tree, covered her face with her hands and allowed the tears to flow.

---

"And you will do as I want?" The man asked the other man who nodded,

"Yes, just provide us with the travel details and all will be taken care of- I have a person ready to collect her."

"Be very careful once you take her, she is extremely clever and will try to escape."

The man smiled,

"I am sure the Sultan has the needed preparations in place to keep a Tigress well contained."

The two men spoke and left only when their plan became foolproof.

Far away in Punjab the Sultan smiled to himself and assured himself- Finally, he will have his revenge.

---

Badalgarh, Mughal Fort, 
Agra. 

Ruqaiya entered Jalal's chambers and smiled when she saw him still looking at the Carved Table, probably planning his next move.

She went and stood beside him, her body angled towards him as she gave him a chalice full of wine. It had only been a few days since Jalal had returned to Agra but she had yet to spend any time with him.
In fact, no one could say that Jalal was back from his campaign, so rarely had anyone seen him. She knew that something was troubling him...Jalal had never been this distant before so whatever it was must be serious.
There was definitely a sort of change in his demeanour and in his approach to others...something she couldn't put her finger on.

Jalal was changing and that worried Ruqaiya more than Jalal not spending time in his Harem. 

She hugged him from the side and said,

"You should rest a little, Jalal. How many hours have you slept?"

"Enough to not feel tired."

"Jalal." She said exasperated and he copied her tone,

"Ruqaiya."

"Come on, let's go to bed." She urged and he stopped his work to turn to her and with a smile said,

"You go, I promise to join you, soon. Go on, I do believe I am onto something here." He said as he urged her to go rest. On her way out Ruqaiya paused right in front of the easel which had haunted Jalal's chambers for the better part of three years.

Ruqaiya leant forward and removed the cloth, uncovering the painting and her eyes narrowed as she watched those life-like eyes painted on the canvas... eyes she'd seen a thousand times before. Eyes that made no sense. 

Ruqaiya gazed into those gazelle eyes painted in Black and Gold and felt a shiver travel down her spine. Her eyes travelled towards Jalal who was once again busy with whatever he had been planning and so he did not see as Ruqaiya stared at him, trying to determine why Jalal kept this unfinished painting in his room.
Nothing he kept in his chambers was without its use so then Why had he not finished it?

He hated unfinished things too, much like her, so if not finish it then why did he not throw it away?
A man who got bored as easily as Jalal did, someone who craved change...why did such a man keep a painting such as this as his constant companion? 

Ruqaiya sighed, she had long since accepted the mystery wrapped in a riddle that was Jalal, so as she turned to leave she was startled when heard him say without even looking up from that blasted table- 

"Cover it before you go."

"Why do you keep it here, Jalal? Aren't three years enough to know that you won't ever finish it?" She asked and heard a crack echo in the room, her eyes snapping to Jalal's hands which held the broken elephant figurine and her shocked eyes looked at Jalal whose face showed no emotion,

"Are you okay? Let me see--are you bleeding?" She asked, worried and Jalal smiled tightly, throwing the broken elephant onto the table before showing her his unhurt hands-

"I'm fine, see." He said before turning back towards the table and picking up a new elephant figurine, obviously meaning to go back to work. She nodded her head hesitantly at his dismissal, once again feeling that something had changed... Jalal had changed and it irked her that she could not pinpoint just HOW he'd changed.
There was also this...lack of attention. He was always ...somewhere else. Physically here but mentally he was miles away. 

As if he was thinking on a different level than she was. As if there was a world where Jalal alone existed and where she didn't and she hated that. 

She shook her head before she picked up the red cloth and began to cover the unfinished painting- and for a second, for less time than it takes to blink, she thought those eyes were watching. 

*

Ruqaiya had called for Abdul right after her visit to Jalal's chambers. If anyone would know what was wrong with Jalal, it was Abdul. 

"Abdul, has something happened that I am not aware of?" She asked and Abdul straightened- his eyes going towards the Badshah's room before moving back in her direction,

"Nothing as such, Begum Sahiba, I too have been a bit worried but I am sure it will blow over and the Shahenshah will return to his usual demeanour soon."

"Do you have any inkling or theory pertaining to his current behaviour?"

"It could be a few things, My Queen. The first and most probable is that the Shahenshah has just returned from a long and exacting conquest, men change during War. The second could be that he is planning his next step and perhaps the next Target is an extremely difficult one and hence requires his full attention. Then there is that fact that The King and Bairam Khan have been disagreeing over his decisions in the recent past but I do believe that that only happened because they have been fighting non-stop and Bairam Khan wished for a reprieve."

Ruqaiya turned to look at Jalal's chambers again, her mind going towards those Golden Gazelle eyes. The eyes Jalal had painted three years ago. 
She couldn't let go of the feeling those eyes had inflicted upon her. The feeling of being watched and Judged. The feeling that everything...was connected. 

"And what happened all those years ago? What happened to Jalal while fighting against Baluchistan? How and where did Bairam Khan take him to heal?" 

Abdul seemed to hesitate for the first time since her questions began. 

"I am ashamed to say this Begum Sahiba, but I don't know. That wound was too severe to survive, it should have-," The man silenced himself. 

"Go on." She commanded, 

"It...Jalal couldn't have survived such a wound-  don't get me wrong, I am glad that he did but...he had an arrow sticking through his chest. I would have followed him as Hawaii escorted him off the battlefield but Hawaii was too fast. The only one able to follow them was Bairam Khan." 

"All I know," Abdul resumed after a pause, "Is that a few days later, all three- Jalal, Bairam Khan and Hawaii returned. Jalal's wound had miraculously closed and he was on the way to mend." 

"Was Jalal awake when he entered the palace?"

"No, unconscious. Bairam Khan says that he found them near the borders that way." A lie, they both knew.

"And what does 'the Girl with the Golden Eyes' have to do with all this?" She asked and saw Abdul smile, finally relaxing as the tension left him with this question. 

"The Girl with the Golden Eyes, the title sounds as fantastical as the Girl itself, Begum. Such eyes, though beautiful, are not a natural colour and they do not exist. Cannot exist. I was tasked to find and listen to whispers about ANY Golden Eyed Apsaras by our King but it's been three years since I put out a few feelers and there has not been a single whisper."

"So the Girl... doesn't exist?" She asked, relaxing herself a bit once she heard this. 

"That is how it currently stands, Begum Ruqaiya. The King says that he saw his Apsara while he was injured but he was obviously dosed up on heavy sedatives to sleep through his stitches and through the cauterization...it is highly probable that whatever he saw then was a fever dream. And anyway, the sort of woman he described could never be true." Abdul said, with a shrug and a click of his tongue. 

"What do you mean? What did Jalal say?" 

"That, my Queen is between us friends-," 

"-Three years ago, about someone who doesn't even exist." Ruqaiya said, demanding with her eyes, 


Abdul sighed, 
"Well, the first thing that gave it away was his description of her being silent, except for the Anklets she wore. Most women I have come across- speak before they even smile. Quiet women are rare enough but silent ...such women in my experience, don't exist.
The second thing was his description of her as an Apsara- these women exist in Hindu Mythology, carved on sacred walls, they are said to reside in Heaven. Their carvings have perfect proportions- " Abdul was shameless but how could he explain to her what perfect proportions were...surely she knew and he could just continue? 
"And third...he said that she was made to Love." 

"What?" Ruqaiya hissed and Abdul smiled, 

"He was on drugs, strong drugs. Enough to think that whoever this woman was...she had been born to be Loved. So yes, in my opinion, she was a fever dream which played on Jalal's curiosity and his love for mystery. Because Jalal and Love--" Abdul and Ruqaiya both scoffed. 

She dismissed him before he could continue.  Abdul bowed and left towards Jalal's room while Ruqaiya remained standing where she was... a fever dream.

Could that be it? Was Ruqaiya worried about a woman who did not even exist? Was she jealous of a woman who could not exist- not even a full woman, really, Ruqaiya had been jealous of a pair of eyes for the past three years and only now were her worries being put to rest.

Jalal was probably only distracted not because he was thinking of ways to acquire the golden-eyed girl but because he had only recently come to terms with the fact that his golden-eyed saviour was nothing but a dream... Anyone would feel a little lost in that situation and in fact, she was thankful that Jalal was dealing with it so positively.

She smiled, she was sure that the easel would be out of Jalal's chambers soon and with this thought, Ruqaiya slept deeply through the night.

Jalal did not visit.

*

He was walking through the desert, the heat of which was comparable to the burn of  Ice in Kabul. It was beautiful... this unending sand held a calmness and surety of death in it and perhaps his lurching mind, his pitiful soul would find some peace in this land of sand when it had not found it in the land of ice or even in the land of his Ancestors. 

He walked as if searching for an oasis.
He had no thirst but he knew that soon his throat would become as dry as the sand he walked on. His feet were becoming uncomfortably warm in the sand and yet he walked and he wondered if this was what his mother had gone through, pregnant with him, lost in the sands of Rajputana, desperately seeking shelter.
He too walked in search of something- perhaps the Oasis- and yet the oasis remained elusive. Everything remained elusive. 

He might have walked for a day, for a week... but the sun never set so he had no way of measuring time other than the increasing number of blisters on his feet, the steps he took with them and the increasing thirst until all he could do was fall onto his knees and--what was that?
He tilted his head to the side, he could hear... something. Someone-- A horse?

He heard a Horse galloping in the sand and with his eyes closed he could also smell roses- he scoffed, a Rose in the Desert? Impossible.

But then his eyes opened and he knew Khan Baba's words had finally come true-- Perhaps he really was going insane.

 She got off her horse and her gentle and magically cold fingers tilted his chin up and poured cold water into his parched mouth- just as she had once poured medicine years ago in those caves- giving him something more precious than all the gold he owned.

He kept his eyes open against the glare of the sun and soon, in her presence the heat vanished, the pain disappeared and it was as if cooling aloe was spread through his entire being when he met those eyes.

She had found him...
No matter what everyone else said, no matter how much their words had bothered him over the years, he had always known in his soul, even before Khan Baba confirmed it, that she was Real. 

His hand rose to remove the dupatta precariously covering the other half of her face but her hand caught his and their fingers entwined. Her other hand waded its fingers through his hair and he allowed his eyes to close.

His grip on her hand never loosened as he fell asleep. 

When he woke up, his hand was clutching the bedsheet tightly but... he looked over to his beside table and smiled. The jug of water was full but Jalal didn't even feel thirsty. 

He stood up, stiffly releasing his fingers from the bedsheet walked towards the Canvas and removed the red cloth covering the unfinished painting.

He went to the firepit and picked up a still burning coal in his hand, unfeeling to the pain, he blackened his fingers with coal and added another detail to the painting... the softly curled black wisps of hair as they escaped the prison of her dupatta and fluttered freely over her covered cheek.

Once Jalal added the details he took a step back and stared for a minute before picking up the red cloth and covering the painting yet again.


Soon, he promised, soon he would finish the painting. 

---

Chittorgarh,

Mewar.

Jodha joined her hands in Pranaam as she took her leave from Mewar's Royal Family.
The last few days in Mewar had been excruciating to spend with the sudden absence of Rana from the palace. Jodha couldn't leave early else she knew everyone would come up with their own conclusions for her early departure and she hated rumours with a passion.
Especially now when her reputation in Rajputana was seeing a sharp popularity.

Tales of Jodha had taken their own life and now the people of Rajputana called her the
'The diamond in the Crown of Rajputs' (or just the Crown of Rajputana, in short) in such an atmosphere she could not afford any rumours about her and her supposed reasons for leaving Mewar unceremoniously, already people were going to speculate after Rana's absence. 

 With titles such as 'The Rose of the Desert' came the scrutiny of the people and if Jodha had to make sure to remain as she was in the eyes of the people then that meant that she couldn't just leave the strongest Rajput Kingdom as her heart wished lest she incites rumours of dissent.

Her eyes caught the gaze of Rani Jaivanta Bai, who came forward and hugged Jodha,

"Don't worry, Daughter. Pratap has always been strong, he will heal. You just take care of yourself, hmm? He sends his apologies for not being able to accompany you back to Gondwana."

Jodha's head snapped to look at Rana's mother who smiled at her look of shock and answered an unasked question. 

"Yes, I knew. A mother always knows." Jaivanta Bai smiled, "Especially when her Son is in love. I was also aware that you did not feel the same. At least not the same way he did."

"Then why did you-," Jodha stopped herself from finishing but the Maharani of Mewar understood,

"Why did I not stop Pratap from baring his heart to you?" Maharani touched Jodha's cheek in sympathy,
"Regret, my dear, hurts much more than a broken heart in the long run. Had my son never tried, he would have lived in a constant state of 'what if'. Now at least he can move on and see what life brings him."

Jodha pursed her lips,

"I never meant to-," She began but stopped, feeling wrongfooted in front of the mother of her best friend for the first time in her life.

"Oh, I know. And so does Pratap, he knows you love him, perhaps not the way he wants you to but you do- I see it. I know that you would have never hurt my son if you could help it, in fact, I wish to thank you...thank you for not lying to him. Thank you for being gentle but firm with him. Thank you for being Clear in your Rejection because he would have clung to any scarp of hope you would have thrown at him... so Thank you. "

Jodha shook her head, wanting to cry but unable to do so as they were in public.

Instead, Jodha took out an envelope and handed it to Jaivanta Bai,

"Would you please see to it that Rana gets this? It shall be... I promise it will be my last letter to him." She said and Jaivanta Bai took it,

"You don't have to do that, Jodha, just give him time." She said and Jodha shook her head, Rana's face shrouded with hurt swam in her mind.

"I cann-- I will not do that to him. It will only hurt him if I pretend that this does not affect me just as much as it has affected him. He is and will always be my closest fri--Please just, the letter-,"

"He will have it in his hands the moment you depart, my dear. I cannot guarantee that he will read it though." Jaivanta Bai said and Jodha nodded before stepping back and doing a deep Pranaam before turning to sit in her Palki. Her actions were graceful and elegant, and her royal manners hid her inner turmoil and sadness well. 

Her eyes watched Chittorgarh's fading outline until it was completely out of view and finally, she allowed herself to think- what now? 

*

"Are you all ready? Remember which one to attack?"

"Yes, Sarkaar, the one with the female guards."

"Yes, and do you have the sedative ready- have you checked if it works?"

"It does work Sarkaar, it was tested on that man just a half-hour ago." The soldier pointed at another soldier who was lying at an awkward angle- obviously deeply unconscious. The Sarkaar nodded and then they heard the approaching party.

"None of you are to touch her- the Sultan wants her untouched and pure- is that understood? If any of you even looks at her- I shall take your eyes and eat them for breakfast." The man ordered and the men surrounding him nodded in fear before turning their eyes to the target--

Soldiers of almost all Rajputana Kingdoms surrounded one single Palki. There were soldiers from Mewar, soldiers from Amber, even soldiers from Virat and Bhanpur. That was also discounting the fact that the Palki was surrounded by at least 10 female guards in the first layer and 200 Gondi guards in the second and third layers.

"So this is how the Crown of Rajputana, the Queen of Gondwana travels, with a veritable army." The man smiled before he heard a soldier say,

"Sarkaar, we cannot fight these many, we did not anticipate an army."

"You mean you did not anticipate it... I did." The Sarkaar replied and then pointed at the crates. The crates were opened and inside were gas bombs given to him by that Pandit.

"This should be enough to put this entire army to sleep." He said and stood up.

It was time to attack and capture the so-called Rose of the Desert for his Sultan.

---

Jaivanta Bai entered Pratap's chambers and sighed when she saw him looking out from his window, straight at the moon a glass of wine in his hands.

"Pratap."

"Yes, Mother?" He replied, turning to face her and nodding respectfully. He looked...awful.

His eyes were bloodshot- not that she saw them for too long, he kept them facing down.
His clothes were the same since he'd returned from the forest without Jodha and... she could see the fragments of his broken heart all around the room. 
Half-burned letters, pictures of Jodha...a de-petalled rose...

Her own heart ached to see him thus, no matter how necessary it had become for him to move on- and he will- this process was still not going to be easy but at least it was ready to begin.
He was a brilliant young man- women would kill to be with him. She knew Ajabde would...

"Jodha was sad when she left, I could see that she was-,"

"Forgive me for interrupting, Mother, but I do not wish to talk... about her. Is there anything else?" Her dutiful son, still holding onto his manners, even as his heart bled open and punctured.

"Yes, actually. She left this for you before leaving, and said that this will be her last letter to you."

"Throw it in the fire." Her son said after a minute's pause, "If she wishes to sever our friendship because of this-- and anyway, what good is a letter now!? She said all she had to me, there is nothing left to it." He said, his bitterness finally showing.

"Some things are best said on paper rather than in person, Pratap. Read it, I am sure she had her reasons for if you don't, my son, you will regret it-,"

"I already regret it, Mother!" Pratap cried out, his voice a little higher before he controlled himself with a deep breath and whispered, "Forgive me," before turning to look at the moon, "I never should have--," Pratap stopped himself from finishing his sentence so Jaivanta sighed,

"You know what your father says... if you can't finish a sentence then you don't really mean it. You know as well as I do that you will never regret anything related to your Heera. That is what Love is, Pratap. True love doesn't have to be reciprocated to be Love."

She said and then started to leave the room only to be stopped by his words,

"Does it get any easier?" Her son asked and Jaivanta stilled, how did he- she smiled sadly, he was her son, of course, he knew. She did say he is Brilliant. 

"No. You will love her forever but your heart will grow, enough to fit the love you hold for her in it along with someone else's too if you so wish it."

"Is that what happened to you?" He asked, "When Raja Bharmal married Rani Mainavati, is this how you felt?"

"No, what I felt was different... My love for Bharmal was a 'love from afar', Pratap. We never spoke much and then he fell in love and married Rani Mainavati- I did not resent him for it for he doesn't even know that I... I loved him enough for the both of us and then I was married to your father, my heart grew and now I love your father too."

"But you still love Jodha's father."

"Yes, and I always will just as you will always love her." She smiled and handed him the letter in her hands, "Read it." He clutched it like a lifeline and asked,

"How is it different?" He asked, "You said that what you felt was different... how?"

"I didn't have much to lose other than my heart, Pratap. You do. Your friendship with her is precious to both of you. It is so pure that it is Sacred. Don't... don't let her go- don't abandon her friendship- just because she can't love you the way you want her to, Pratap, she deserves better than that."

Saying this Jaivanta left and when the door closed she leant against it and closed her eyes, how was it that History was repeating itself once again? She fell in love with Bharmal and now her only son was tending to his broken heart after falling for Jodha...Bharmal's beloved daughter.

She made a point in her mind to never let her Grandchildren meet Bharmal's grandchildren, lest she tempt history and its cruel streak yet again.

****

Days later, Rana Pratap finally gathered the courage to open the letter, he did so at night.

While Rana Pratap looked at the letter In his hands, wondering if he really was ready for whatever was written in the letter, miles away Jodha's party was being attacked. Gas bombs were unleashed over her guards and the smoke knocked everyone into a deep sleep, even Jodha, who though still a little conscious was knocked out completely when the stronger sedative was applied to the cloth and pressed onto her nose.

In Mewar, Rana Pratap opened the letter and far away, Jodha was picked out of the Palki. Her hands and legs were tied before she was pushed into a cage like an animal.
A red cloth covered the cage, after all, she was to be a Gift. 

Rana read through Jodha's letter, an arrow of pain striking him with every line... He read it again and again until some lines stuck with him. 

'Rana, pyaar karti hoon tumse... bhot pyaar karti hoon, parr vaise nahi jaise tum chahte ho. Vaisa pyaar nahi hoga mujhse...'
(I do love you...just not in the way you want me to.)

Rana Pratap's eyes watered as he read the words written on the letter and far away the Caravan containing Jodha's slumped form started moving away from her destination and towards the enemy.

'Rana, Pyaar me junoon hai lekin Dosti me sukoon hai. Aur mai yeh sukoon kabhi nahi khona chahti, kabhi nahi.'
(Rana, Love has passion but friendship...friendship has Peace. I never wish to lose this Peace, Please.)

Rana Pratap folded the letter after he'd read it completely and carefully kept it in his favourite book, the Art of War- the same book he had once upon a time suggested to Jodha and that's how their friendship had started.
He left the room and started to get ready to leave- he was starting to realize that he and Jodha had parted on the worst terms and that he had to go meet her as soon as possible-- only Ajabde chose that moment to come and stopped him from leaving. Saying that Jodha was probably close to Gondwana already and that some time apart will be Good for the both of them. 

Meanwhile, Jodha got further and further away from safety. 
Perhaps this was her punishment. She was being punished for breaking the heart of the only man she could have learnt to Love. 

---

Jalal's eyes opened softly from his prayer and just then he heard the Guard announce Abdul's arrival. Jalal nodded to allow Abdul in and soon he heard him say,

"It has been done, Shahenshah."

A smirk danced upon Jalal's lips as he nodded at the message, Abdul though did not leave and instead chose to ask,

"I still don't understand what is going on in your head, Shahenshah... whatever game you're playing, it's too dangerous."

"No game is fun without its risk and this is the greatest game of all...the Game of Thrones."  

Jalal smiled and finally decided to reveal a few details.

"Gondwana is the key to my entry into the South of Hindustan- up until now, no Muslim King has managed to step foot past the guard- that is Gondwana and conquer the South. 
Khilji came close but then he lost his zeal. The reason why Gondwana is so unbreachable, so unattainable, is because of its natural barriers.
The forests to the east are dangerous to all, the Ghats to the west are treacherous and the sea coast further west is well protected even if they were not, the Mughals have no navy to speak of as of yet. The South of Gondwana is our only way in...it is extremely well-manned but comparatively it is the weakest."

Jalal took a sip of wine and then kept the goblet away, he walked towards the carved table and paused on Gondwana.

"Gondwana also has strong allies- namely the Rajputana in the North and entire South of Hindustan. If I attack it, I will be surrounded before I can yell 'Yalgar'." Jalal stated point blank and Abdul's face showed his doubt regarding Jalal's defeat and that made him like Abdul even more, even if he over-estimated Jalal's army.

"I have to out-wit it and for that... I need to learn my enemy's strengths and weaknesses. But I cannot allow them to learn my strengths and weaknesses and this is where Proxy War comes in."

"What is a Proxy war?" Abdul asked,

"The entire court has questioned my judgement about giving Islam Shah refuge in Punjab and that's because no one can see the bigger picture," Jalal smirked as he picked up Islam Shah's flag and placed it over Gondwana.

"Islam Shah has greater enmity for Gondwana than he does for me. I will help Islam Shah get what he wants from Gondwana and he will help me achieve what I want by weakening Gondwana's defences. By Telling me how they respond to a threat like ours. By seeing who comes to Gondwana's aid."

"But why have their Queen kidnapped?"

"Oh, that?" Jalal asked and Abdul nodded with a frown and Jalal shrugged, "Islam Shah says she is who he wants and anyway, Islam Shah's men kidnapped her, not I. I only provided the information of her movements as you informed me." He said before sighing and asking,

"Have I answered all your Questions?"

"No, I have one that remains, What will you do with Islam Shah if he wins Gondwana?"

"I will take it from him."

"And what about his Army?" Abdul asked and at this, Jalal barked out a laugh,

"What army?" He asked and then pretended to understand, "Oh, you mean the Mercenary army that I paid for?" Jalal asked, laughing some more at Abdul's stupefied expression,

"That army of Mercenary foreign fighters was bought by me, Abdul. Islam Shah thinks it is his army but in reality... let's just say that they know exactly who they belong to." Jalal let it hang and then he smirked as he placed the Mughal Lion over Gondwana,

"When is the attack planned for?" Abdul asked, curious. 

"It will take some time, the mercenary army needs to be trained. Gondwana needs to be weakened, the southern allies need to be threatened... my first step will be to intimidate the Southern Kingdoms into pulling their support from Gondwana." 

"Why will they do that?" Abdul asked and Jalal smirked, 

"Islam Shah will promise them that he won't attack them if they do not help in the war against Gondwana, he will say that he is waging this war for revenge- Gondwana did not help Sher Shah Suri during his war against the Mughals and hence this is personal and the Southern Kings ought not to involve themselves, they are honourable, they understand Revenge," Jalal explained- he looked at the Gondi Elephant and picked it up- replacing the Mughal Lion in its place. 

"Once Gondwana is in our grasp... the Kingdoms of Rajputana will be surrounded and easier to defeat next."

---

Gondwana,
A Month since Islam Shah launched a war against Gondwana.

Durgavati looked down from her castle, down at the city... at the Kingdom gates.

Everything felt...numb, ever since-,

"Queen Mother." Came the voice from behind her and Durgavati sighed, Bheem and Moti... what good were they if they couldn't protect the one person who had been in their protection.

"Any news, Bheem?" She asked and the usual silence, the usual disappointment answered.

"We have already looked through all the surrounding forests in Mewar again- all Rajput Kingdoms have offered their help in these tough times... my suggestion would be to use Gondwana's army to protect and fight back Islam Shah-,"

Durgavati snorted,
"Islam Shah will never be able to touch Gondwana, Bheem, not if he continues as he is. Jodha has prepared the Kingdom well. What it needs is its Queen. Where. Is. Jodha?" Durgavati asked before repeating, "Where is my Granddaughter, Bheem? Moti?"

As was the case, Moti maintained her silence- as she had since the moment Jodha had been taken and Bheem...
He knelt and said,

"I am leaving tomorrow to look for her, Queen Mother. I promise... I promise I will return with our Queen or I shan't return at all."

Durgavati said nothing, only turned her gaze back to Gondwana's doors. The same doors Jodha had entered through a thousand times...
Hey Shiv, Durgavati prayed, wherever Jodha is, keep her safe. Keep her strong. Above all, Keep her alive. 

*

Bheem entered Jodha's chambers and sat down beside Rajah- who had lost a lot of weight in past one month. Rajah had stopped going out to hunt- preferring to wait for Jodha in her chambers lest he miss her return.

Bheem sighed before hesitantly resting a hand on the great cat's head. What startled him more was that Rajah allowed it instead of trying to bite his hand off as he usually did. Things were getting more and more dire...

"I have never understood the connection the two of you share but I have always respected it. Been in awe of it, really. She needs us Rajah and tomorrow I am leaving to look for her. I will comb through the entirety of Hindustan if that is what it takes to get her back home... come with me." Bheem pleaded and pleaded some more.

"She needs us, Rajah," Bheem said but all Rajah did was turn away his head and Bheem closed his eyes in defeat. Rajah had refused to leave Gondwana for anything-- what was keeping him here?! Did he not understand that Jodha could be...could be--

Bheem stood up and swiftly left the room. 

Later, much later an epiphany would strike him...could it be that Rajah was somehow in contact with Jodha? Had Jodha ordered Rajah to stay in Gondwana and if so...why? 

*