JODHA AKBAR (On Hold)

Chapter 16

Amer has not changed a bit since she left. It has remained the same place, with same people, but only one thing has changed, that is her life. Every time she thinks about herself her image replies that she is incomplete. every time she tries to find the answer, a particular answer comes into her way which she denies to accept. And that is you were, are and will be incomplete without your other half, your husband. But she denies to answer it and continues to search for an answer which would satisfy her, which would help in soothing her burning heart , and that particular answer which would state that yes, I am sufficient for myself. I dont need others to support me. Especially I dont need him to support and love me. But till date she was not able to think that way, neither her heart nor her mind is accepting it. Because they knew, the answer which she is trying to accept will hurt her instead of healing.

She never thought that one day a person will come into her life , who would not only steal her heart , but also will become the reason for her existence, hell , to be said, he is her existence. She is nothing without him.

Her position when put to words will something be like, a person is travelling in a cruise surrounded by indefinable beauty , with all the peace in the world and no want to be fulfilled in life. And suddenly a storm comes in the way, destroys everything which she considers dear to her within seconds, not even giving her the time to understand what is happening with her life.

She was very happy back then, as darling and adored princess of amer, little sister of her bhaisas and shaan of her bapusa. But then a storm named Jalaluddin Mohammad came into her life without any intimation or invitation, wrecking it completely. Now she is left with nothing which is considered dear to her. It may be her family, her respect, and finally her love. No he is not her love. She may have accepted him as her husband, but he would never be her love. Not after breaking her so brutally. These were the thoughts that were lingering in Jodhas mind, until arrival of her so-called-family was announced.

Jodhas posture turned stiff. She told herself be strong, no matter what happens. Then she heard the endearment which she craved the most, once upon a time. But now the same endearment is mocking her on her face, stating the fact that the love, which is now showered upon her, is only in words. She now understood that she is alone and has to fight to the battle of her life all by herself. However, she is bought out of her revive when her mother, sorry, Queen of Amer has called her.

"Jodha beta"

"Pranam Maharanisa. Aap yah ape is khaidi se milne kyun aaye hein. Aur wo bhi Shehenshah ki adeshon ko tukra kar" jodha replied

"Jodha hum tumhare maassa hein. Humein maharani kyun keh rahi ho. Humein maasa bulao beta" Mainavati was shocked listening her daughter addressing her as queen and not as maasa.

" Mafi chahte hein ranisa. Hum anath hein. Humara koi parivar nahi hein. Agar hum kisiko apna keh sakte toh voh humare bhaisa hein. Unke alava humara koi apna nahi hein" She replied coldly

Mainavati was moved to tears. Which mother can bear the pain, which is caused, when her child addresses herself as an orphan, that too when her whole family is alive and were ready to kill themselves to protect her. A word is not coming from her mouth. Her throat is clogged to hear such words from her daughter.

Queen Mainavati then understood that in the process of teaching her the royal discipline, she failed to show her motherly affection and in turn lost her daughter. Now the relation between them is only official. They are not mother and daughter now, just Queen and Princess.

She felt her insides hollow by calling herself an orphan, that too in front of her mother. Teary pearls were just at the brim of her eyelids ready to wet her alabaster cheeks. But Jodha, with great difficulty held herself together reminding her stubborn heart Remember, they left you alone to face the greedy vultures of society, they were the people for whom you sacrificed your happiness and in-turn gifted with loneliness and pain. No need to feel the pain of those people, who gave you the largest grief of your life. Stay away from them, so that they will not get a chance to break you again. warned her heart. Thought she is showing herself to be emotionless to the outer world, the pain is gnawing her heart to the extent of tearing it apart. Controlling her emotions, she spoke,