The thoughts in this chapter are inspired from my conversations with my mamma, she always have the best to say, so I blended her thoughts with my story.

Hope you will love it.

He hit me again, this time on my stomach.

Enough.

Now I hit him on his jaw tightly.

"I hit you softly you bastard" He said caressing his jaw wincing in pain and I looked at him with victorious smile.

But my smile lasted for a second when he hit me again on my jaw.

I looked at him wide eyed, It was indeed so strong.

Kyu, aaya maja, is se bhi jor se maara tha tune. " He grinned stupidly.

I marched towards him in urgency and we indulged into very much important battle this time.

He ran into chamber after few kicks and punches and I chased him. I will not let him go before I take revenge.

We were so much indulge in making each other black and blue, unaware of the world around.

"Ariz, Baaz" suddenly ammi jaan's voice rang loudly in our ears and both of us stilled at our place.

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 Me sitting on his stomach, my hand in air merely an inch away from his face and his one hand clutched my one bicep and another one on my mouth making my face structure weird.

After recovering from shock we quickly moved away from each other, I kicked his leg intentionally while getting up and he glared at me. I glared even harder.

What turned our world upside down is presence of Maharaj Surya Pratap Singh in the chamber standing just behind Ammi jaan.

We both instantly looked at each other and then looked at floor.

Embarrassment is a very small word to describe what we were feeling right now.

All this happened because of this rotten chicken leg piece. AGRHH

I composed my self and looked at them. Ammi jaan was glaring us, expected. Ranaji was looking like he has seen humans for the first time. 

"Yes Ammi jaan, anything important." I initiated the conversation ignoring her gaze while she was mentally chasing me with stick in her hand and me running through the whole palace.

"I called Maharaj to discuss here" She said in cold tone.

I gave my attention to him , gestured him to sit and asked, "Yes Maharaj, come, sit."

We all settled on couches and Ammi jaan initiated.

" Maharaj we want to discuss something personal with you."

"Ji, tell me Begam sahiba I am all ears." He said politely

"The thing is Shahenshah wanted to marry princess Ishwasa." Ammi jaan spoke and Maharaj looked at me suddenly. I will be a lie if I say I was not panicking but I appear confident.

"WHY? Shahenshah." He asked in heavy voice after looking at me with stern eyes and I got to know that I should have to be prepared for this. As of now  whatever I say will directly come out of my heart and one slip of tongue will cost me Ishwasa.

Before I could give any answer he said again being very serious," Shahenshah if you are doing this out of pity or for any political alliance then I must say My daughter does not need any sympathy and I don't need any political alliance."

Now this is getting more difficult. 

I cleared my throat and said.

"I want to marry your daughter because she is the right choice for the Mughal Throne. The skill, the patience, the decision making and the etiquettes; she has all these things in her. She knows how to handle the tough times with tolerance and when to fight back with double force.

 She might be impulsive but she can handle everything very well considering her age. The fierceness of your daughter is what attracted me towards her sir. She has guts to speak what is right and her honesty is commendable. She is not a people pleaser.

 And all these qualities of her makes her different from everyone. With these qualities she will be the most cherished Queen in Mughal history. " I poured my heart out in front of him.

He visibly relaxed and looked satisfied with my reply. I heaved a breath of relief.

"I need time to discuss with Maharani and my children." He gave me a pointed look and I nodded.

"I want to clear that this alliance will not have any impact on our current understanding but I really want you to consider the proposal, I would be pleased to get princess Ishwasa as my daughter." Ammi jaan said to him and he nodded.

All of us left to our chambers.

It was evening now, whenever today I went to visit princess, Maharaj's eyes never left me. He took proper care that Ishwasa should not be touching me. She too was healing at good rate. Her wounds were healing but she was not speaking anything. I was dying to kiss her forehead but Maharaj's presence was not letting me do it. With last unsuccessful try at night I slept in my room half heartedly longing for her.

 The next day arrived and I was so tensed for the decision of Maharaj. It would be very difficult if they deny this proposal. Either I have to resume the war or I have to kidnap her. It would be good if they accept the proposal politely.

I don't know when I got so much obsessed with her. Without looking her beautiful face and my mind went insane, I feel like killing a hundred person already. I got so worked up that I end up barking at the attendees. I need her to keep myself sane. I need her to control my beast. I need her to take next breath.

I attend the court and I got to know that Maharani and Shourya Veer Pratap Singh, Ishwasa's brother had arrived. It was after noon now, I welcomed them personally. The impression on in-law's should be good.

They went to see princess and she cried miserably in her mother's arms. Her brother appeared stoic but I did not missed the tear drops forming in his eyes.

My eyes warmed with tears when I looked at her in this state. I blinked my eyes to drink back the emotions but a lone tear forcefully slipped. I cleaned it hurriedly and left the chamber.

They spent their family time when I left them alone. 

In the evening Maharaj and Maharani along with their son called Ammi jaan and me to the chamber where Prince Aryaveer was being treated.

My heart was thumping loudly in my chest, I have been aware of the feeling which is called Nervousness but today every part of my body was hell Nervous. And this all just because of little Hailstorm who did not even entered my life.

We both entered the chamber and  settled. Maharani talked with Ammi jaan for some time while I was busy with the men. Upon hearing Maharani one thing is clear that she is very good queen. Very confident and righteous. Now I got to know where Ishwasa got her traits from.

Soon enough the topic initiated for which I was anticipating this much.

Maharani spoke up," Rest everything is fine Begam sahiba but what about the difference in religion and culture. We and you belong to community which are poles apart. Both of us spent our life witnessing the dirty politics. And both of us know how an outsider is treated. How then I shove my daughter in blazing fire when I clearly know that burning is the only option." 

"You are right Maharani but I promise you that we will never let your daughter be harmed. I know the things will be difficult initially but everything will subside when Shahenshah himself will not leave her hand." Ammi jaan assured her.

"But what is the gurantee that Shahenshah will remain loyal to gudiya, Shahenshah can marry anyone at any point of time, polygamy is the irremovable  part of kingship. Ishwasa is too young to go through it" prince Aryaveer spoke putting forward his concern.

This time I chose to answer," If you would have married her in your clan then also all these things would have been equally applicable except the religion and culture difference. And speaking of another marriage then it is also popular in your clan too but talking about me only, I promise you that Shahzadi Ishwasa will be the only Queen I would ever have. And this will be my first and last marriage."

"And what about the rumours going on related to change of her religion and her name Shahenshah? The marriage thing is not even started yet and the talks about my sister already began. She is very much devoted to her Kahna, she will be devastated if her religion would be changed." This time prince Shouryaveer chose to speak.

"I will handle every thing on my behalf. Her religion will not get changed without her consent." I replied seriously.

"Do you think people will accept her as the Queen considering the cultural change?" Prince again questioned.

"Off course they will accept her. Ask any attendee or any guard about princess Ishwasa, they will recite you about her bravery and fearlessness first, then they will tell you about the bad days in which she have to pass. They will not even mention about her religion.

 This shows that the ultimate power lies in her personality, not her religion. I agree that she will have to face difficulties but her different perspective of looking at things and her courage of standing for the right thing will definitely overpower. And she will be loved by everyone in no time." I replied honestly. I don't want to lie about anything. I know the initial days will be hard for her but I will be with her everytime so there is no need to worry.

They all seem satisfied by my answer. A small smile appeared on Maharani's face when she said," I have heard how you took care of our daughter Shahenshah and I would be very grateful for the rest of my life for your this favour."

"Its nothing to be thankful Maharani, she was our responsibility but my heart will always remain in pain as the fragile soul has to suffer so much because of us." Ammi jaan spoke.

"No no begam sahiba, its not your fault." Both of them said shaking their heads.

"So what is your decision regarding our proposal?" Ammi jaan questioned.

"They all looked at every one and Maharaj came forward," We are ready to marry our Ishwasa to Shahenshah." Sensations rushed in body and I froze on my spot. She is becoming mine. 

"Because of all the things happened in court, I can not believe anyone with my Ishwasa anymore. They were behind the power she holds or she is having now. Nobody wanted to see Ishwasa as a person, every one see her like a moving bag of wealth and power but after witnessing you with her, My heart relieved. Finally she will be getting what she actually deserve. I was over the moon after hearing your intensions behind marrying her. " Maharani spoke cutting through the unwanted silence.

Ammi jaan squealed and hugged maharani who was having tears in her eyes.

"Do not worry about her Maharani, she is my daughter too and I can assure you Ariz will keep her protected more than his own life." Ammi jaan said to her and she nodded.

Maharaj came forward and hugged me saying,

"I am very thankful to you Shahenshah for accepting my daughter." He joined his hands in front of me and I immediately moved my head sideward not liking his choice of words.

"You should not say this Maharaj. Its is me who should be thankful. You are giving your piece of heart to me and I promise I will be devoted to her for my whole life." I said to him and he looked at me with filled eyes.

He was trying to appear strong. He took that decision in court to maintain her respect and dignity but deep down he too was very worried about her marriage. His radiant face is showing how much of tense he was regarding her. After all being the norm of the society he have to marry her anywhere but deep down he knows after the court incident that no one is trustable.

Now I got to know what is hard part to have a daughter. Neither daughters eat more than a son nor she snatch anything away by taking birth at your house. All the wrong happens when she got attention of  the society. Parents fear to have daughters just because they know what type of society they are dwelling in; they know about the stages of treatment of society towards their daughter: 

partiality when girl is young, 

then cheap mentality when she become teenager,

the fear of devils when she will be in her maximum blooming phase, 

then the most important phase: her marriage which is not less than any gambling: if the groom comes out to be good then its very well and if not then its her fate. 

Next is her life, whatever comes her way she has to handle her on her own. Every thing depends on her fate. Barely anyone supports her if anything goes wrong. 

I came out of my thoughts and saw Ammi jaan talking something with everyone. 

Soon they departed leaving me alone. 

I went to see Ishwasa. 

She was now sitting on the bed wide awake. Finally she was alone.  She looked at me and instantly get off the bed. She came to me, her eyes teary and complaining, she was about to say something but held herself back. 

"Ji farmaiye, kya khata hui hai hamse."

"Yes tell me, what mistake I have done." I asked to her smiling slightly.

Her brows pinched more and she looked back at physician. I followed her gaze and asked the physician," What happened mam why is she looking upset?"

Sir she is not having anything since morning, she took only medicines. Everyone was constantly asking her to eat something but she denied everyone even her mother too." she explained me and I nodded.

"Okay bring us food and you may take your leave." I ordered the maid.

She came back with plate of food filled with rajasthani dishes. Her mother made all these for her. I don't know the names but the aroma was making my mouth watered.

I sat across shehzadi and asked her to eat. She did not took the bite so I decided to make her eat with my hands.

She again looked at me with those angry eyes and tilted her face sideward.

Showing tantrums from now only. Not bad.

"You can tell me if you have any problem shehzadi sahiba." I again urged her to speak.

But she did not said anything instead she looked down for a moment and then opened her mouth. 

I put one morsel in her mouth, she had it. One by one I fed her and she had one and half chapati. After that she refused to eat. 

Her mother entered the chamber and looked at me feeding her. She smiled a bit and sat across her caressing her head. 

 I had the food after she finished. 

It was seriously something I would crave for my rest of life. 

"The food is very delicious Maharani sahiba." I complimented her and she replied,

"I think having from her plate makes the food even more tasty, no?"

I looked at her dumbfounded. Did she just teased me??

Ahh that's embarrassing.

My ears burned and I cleared my throat," I remembered some work, you both enjoy."

"Ji bilkul"

"Yes sure" she replied in mischievous tone and I could not help but felt more embarrassed.

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How is the chapter pretty people??

Which part of this chapter you liked most?

Any idea what the punching game of Arham and Baaz about??

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Stay tuned to witness the pure love of Shahenshah towards our very innocent ISHWASA.

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Changa fer milde han .... next update te!!!

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You are obsessed with me .. so I took a second and said ..... me too~~~

I m obsessed with me e e as much as you !!!!~~~~

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Your tempting and cute author

KHWAHISH🎀