Is It Hate OR Love? Jodha Akbar

Chapter 14 Part 2

Chapter 14-2

Knock on the door.

Jodha beheld at Jalal

Sukanya marched into the room excitedly and greeted cheerfully, "Good morning Jiji." Jodha responded with a cold smile.

Sukanya asked worryingly, "Oh, Jiji, you are not ready yet. Everyone is waiting for you." Then innocently, without thinking, she probed, "What happened to your flower jewelry? Why is it all smashed."

Jodha and Jalal stared at each other with mixed expressions of shyness and anger. Sukanya grasped instantly that she had asked the wrong question, so swiftly, she changed the topic. "Jiji, Masa is waiting for you and seems like you forgot we have to go to the temple."

"I was spending time with your Jiju; It seems he is too lonely in Amer. Can you please spend some time with your Jiju so I can get ready?" Jodha sarcastically requested Sukanya while rolling her eyes at Jalal.

Jalal released a deep frustrating sigh along with a disappointing thought dwelled in his mind, 'What is she thinking of herself? She doesn't respect me or my desire and now rolls her eyes at me.'.

Instantly Sukanya grasped the rift between them, with a lively act, she spoke with enthusiasm, "I would not miss a chance spending time with my gorgeous and loving Jiju."

"It would be my pleasure to spend time with young sweet, and beautiful shali(Sister in law)." Jalal grinned at Sukanya while strolling towards the door.

Sukanya teasingly asked, "Jiju, how were your night and chopat game?"

Sukanya's humble approach and understanding pleased him; he playfully spoke while observing the Palace's artistic side, "I wish I played chopat with my dear sister-in-law instead of your Jiji."

Sukanya blushed at his response. "Ohhh, Jiju, you and Jodha Jiji are a perfect match. No one can beat both of you in bantering."

Raja Bhamal's nervous words strained to Jalal's sharp ears. 'Why Jodha is taking too long; we are going to miss the auspicious prayer time.'

As soon as Raja Bharmal saw Jalal walking in the hall, King himself, along with everyone else, got up from the couch to welcome him. The king greeted Jalal in a polite tone, "Good Morning Jamaisa, Happy Holi!"

Jalal also greeted courteously while looking at everyone, "Good Morning, Happy Holi."

Everyone sat after Jalal took his place on a couch. With excitement, King Bharmal explained, "Jamaisa, on every Holi, we all go to Kali ma temple in the morning to pray; it's a ritual we all follow."

Mainavati asked in a very faint tone, "Sukanya, where is Jodha?"

"Masa Jiji is getting ready; it will take her a little more time," Sukanya responded while looking at Jalal with a concealed smirk.

Mainavati smiled with an awkward look at Jalal. Mainavati mumbled to herself, 'Jodha, it's time for prayer, and you still not ready' she sighed loudly.

At last, Mainavati spoke with hesitation, "Raja sahib (King Bharmal), we need to leave now; otherwise, the auspicious time for the prayer will be missed."

When King Bharmal nodded, Queen Mainavati instructed, "Sukanya, you come with Jodha later."

Sukanya pouted, "But Masa... I have been ready since this morning."

Her heart sank at the thought, 'She won't be in the palace when Surya arrives.'

Seeing Sukanya's pale face, Jalal offered, "Don't worry about Jodha; I will bring her to the temple. You all continue."