Acceptance

1611, Jahangir Mahal

Mariam Ur Zamani had arrived from her morning visit to the temples and was pleasantly surprised to see her son waiting in her chambers. Jahangir looked up as his mother entered the room and handed the ritual plates over to one of the ladies. He bent to touch her feet as she blessed him.

“What brings you here so early in the morning, Sheikhu Baba?” Mariam Ur Zamani sat down on the cushion beside him, looking worried. “Is your health alright?”

“I am fine.” He nodded, “But I am not sure for how long.”

“What happened?” His mother looked perplexed. “I will call the medicine man.”

“It is not an ailment of the body he can cure.” Jahangir shook his head. “It is the heart.”

Mariam Ur Zamani looked at her son’s gloomy face and grew quiet.

“You know all my life I had tried and failed at many things, first to please the Arsh Ashiyani, then with my addiction... All my life, I had desperately tried hard to be a deserving son and do what is deemed right of me...” Jahangir stopped with a sigh. Mariam Ur Zamani softly placed her hand on his shoulder and nodded in agreement.

“I am tired of doing so now. I want to, for once, do what I want to do. What I always wanted to do!” Jahangir looked at his mother with hopeful eyes.

Mariam Ur Zamani nodded, “Then what’s stopping you?”

“I know Badi Ammi approves. I wanted to talk to you.”

“As long as it makes you happy and makes sure the respect that you hold as a representative of both my dynasty and your fathers remains intact.” She smiled.

Jahangir left her chambers in a hurry.

Mehr Un Nisa was worried about the emergency message from her father to arrive at his house immediately. She assumed her mother was not doing well. Fearing the worst, she had taken a leave and visited home, with Ladli in tow. Arjumand took Ladli’s hand and led her away into her chambers while her grandparents and father sat down with Mehr Un Nisa.

“The emperor proposed this.” Her father held out a piece of paper with the royal stamp on it. It was signed “Nur Ud Din Jahangir”

Ladli sat down on the soft bed, her feet dangling and looking scared at Arjumand.

“I can tell you why you are here if you promise not to panic.” Ladli nodded in agreement. Arjumand sat down beside her on the bed and whispered, “Padshah Jahangir wants to marry Mehr Phuphi.” She couldn’t contain the excitement in her voice. Ladli frowned “But Amma is already married to Abba.”

“She was.” Arjumand agreed. “But since Phupha became a star, she is trying so hard all alone to raise you. Isn’t it?”

“Does that mean she is not married to Abba anymore?” Ladli didn’t look happy.

“She is, she always will be. But after becoming a widow, a woman can marry again. And the Padshah will look after you well. We can live in the same harem together!” Arjumand gushed. “And after my marriage, you can also come with me to places Shehzaade Khurram visits!”

“But I don’t want to be a princess!” Ladli frowned.

“Oh, everyone wants to be a princess!” Arjumand shrugged, “Why don’t you?”

“Because Abbu once said princesses’ lives are tough, it is no fairytale.” She said intelligently.

“Do you even remember Abbu?” Arjumand frowned. “You were barely two!”

“I don’t.” Ladli looked sad “I try to remember him. Or think what he would say.”

“The Padshah marrying your Ammi will be good for your future, Ladli.” Arjumand reasoned. “You will have better clothes, better education and can even marry a prince!”

“Will Amma stop telling me Abba’s stories when she puts me to sleep?” Ladli asked.

“Oh, there will be wet nurses and handmaids at your disposal. She wouldn’t need to put you to sleep! You can have your own chamber and maids.” Arjumand smiled, “And toys too. Won’t that be nice?”

“I always want Amma when I sleep.” Ladli disapproved “Does Shehzaade Khurram know?”

“He is out there looking after war and administration! I will write to him.” Arjumand Banu nodded.

“I don’t want to be a princess.” Ladli frowned.

“But I clearly told him...” Mehr was interrupted by her father, “I hope you know we are not in a position to say no to the Padshah!”

“Fair enough.” Mehr sighed. “I want to meet him. I have some conditions.”

“Mehr.” Asaf Khan reasoned, “You can’t put conditions with the Padshah.”

“Why not? Where is the rule book?” Mehr Un Nisa shrugged. Diwanji Begum fumed behind the curtains at her vanity. This woman would put her daughter’s life at risk!

“Fine. I will arrange a meeting. Just be polite.” Asaf Khan walked away after warning her.

Ghiyaz Begh sat down beside his daughter, taking her hand in his. His eyes travelled to Asmat Begum, who walked out of the room and shut the door behind her.

“Mehr.” Ghiyaz Begh spoke softly, “You are destiny’s child. You always have been. But sometimes our actions are stronger than our fate. It is enough to change destiny.” Mehr Un Nisa looked up at her father. “I know you always loved him. Then what is scaring you?”

“Mehr Un Nisa has perhaps loved him. But Abba Jaan, what about Ali Quli’s widow?” Ghiyaz Begh smiled, “What about Ladli Begum’s future?”

“Love is the strongest bond to keep two people together. But sometimes it is not enough, isn’t it?” Mehr Un Nisa wondered aloud. Ghiyaz Begh agreed.

“Yes indeed, so apart from being in love, you have to consider other things also... and I know you are wise enough to do that.”

Mehr Un Nisa nodded.

Jahangir was waiting in the empty garden, his heart racing. She was supposed to be here when he arrived, but she wasn’t. Instead, he was waiting for her. For the first time, Jahangir realised that ever since he became emperor, he had never waited for anybody. A smile curved his lips; Mehr and her little nuances. She was doing this purposefully. It was her test of his ego. He intended to pass every one of her tests.

The familiar smell of her perfume reached his nose as he turned to see her make her way toward him.

“Jahan Panah.” She bowed.

Jahangir disapproved, “Cut the protocol. Tell me why we are here.”

“You are here because you wanted to be.” Mehr Un Nisa shrugged, “I am here because I wanted to talk about some conditions.”

“Conditions?” Jahangir’s brows arched closer.

“Yes, before I say yes to your proposal, which I completely disapprove of, you're sending my parents without even talking about it with me...” She glared at him, and Jahangir looked amused.

“I thought we had a talk about it.” He shrugged.

“And when was that?” She frowned.

“You said you didn’t want to be remembered as a mistress, you wanted to be respected. So I assumed this is what you meant.”

Mehr Un Nisa took a heavy breath. He was just trying to intimidate her. Her reactions amused him always. “So my conditions...” He nodded.

“My daughter Ladli will be given a life befitting of a princess. She will have her chamber, handmaids, and ....”

“She will have all the luxury the daughters of my brothers Daniyal and Murad are entitled to as kin of the emperor.”

“I will not obey orders from any of your other queens.” Mehr Un Nisa spoke, “I will only be answerable to you and Sultana Begum like I am now.”

“Approved. You may have to participate in some festivities arranged by Mariam Ur Zamani under her order, though.” Jahangir nodded.

“I will not stay in the harem while you are away. I will travel with you. To pleasure trips and war fields.” Jahangir smiled as Mehr Un Nisa looked away.

“You don’t worry about that! I am not letting you out of my sight.” He agreed.

“I didn’t mean...” Mehr Un Nisa looked taken aback, and her cheeks grew warm. Jahangir took two steps towards her and took both her hands in his. Mehr Un Nisa looked up at him as his hands were cold.

“You know, Mehr, you once told me that a partner should be someone to support our dreams and visions. We should not choose dreams according to partners, but choose partners to understand our dreams.” Mehr Un Nisa nodded.

“Do you still believe that?” Jahangir asked.

“I do.” Mehr Un Nisa looked up at his eyes, glistening a little. Or did she imagine that because the setting sun reflected on it?

“It’s a yes, then?” Jahangir asked. Mehr Un Nisa nodded.

“I wouldn’t have said no.” She said almost in a murmur.

“Because I am the Padshah, I know!” Jahangir smiled.

“Then why did you agree to all my conditions?” She asked, surprised.

“Because I wanted my Mehr back. I wanted her to talk to Salim. And she did.”

He planted a soft peck on her forehead, holding her hands more firmly in his. Mehr Un Nisa tried hard not to let her tears flow. They appeared like diamond droplets on the corners of her doe eyes as he wiped them off with his thumb. They smiled at each other while the red of the setting sun filled the night sky, and the birds were finally returning home.

My Everything

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Towards You

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His Wife

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Purnota: Chapter Thirty Eight

Trilochon was so overwhelmed that Binoy came for the Pujo and Kirtan on Dol Purnima. Their neighbours, friends and acquaintances had all gathered in the Thakur Dalan, first for the pujo when the idol of Sree Radha and Sree Krishna were worshipped in the Dalan, and Horir Loot of Batasha and Naru were distributed. Unlike in the village, people here, especially children, did not fight over the Horir Loot . Bondita and Batuk took part in the ritual like they used to as kids, counting the number of Batasha each of them had, amusing the elders who reminisced about their childhood and how Batuk snatched Bondita’s share and ran as she chased after him, shouting. The Kirtan followed the pujo, the tales of Sree Krishna’s prowess, his Leela and Radha’s sacrifice were sung with the sounds of Dhol and Khanjani . It followed the devotional songs praising Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his praises to Lord Krishna. Bondita not only liked the stories of Kirtan but also how the crowd joined in the singing and...

To Protect You

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Purnota: Chapter Forty Three

Trilochon and Kalindi were having tea in the morning in their living room when Binoy walked downstairs in his Pajama Panjabi, pipe in hand and found them. Watching him unusually in his home attire, Trilochon frowned. “Are you sick? I thought you had already left.” Binoy sat down on the single chaise chair beside the couch as Kalindi poured some tea for him. “ I told you, Dada, I am here to retire.” He said, putting his pipe in his pocket. “Today, Som is going alone. We will see how that goes.” Their conversation was interrupted by Asha coming into the house in a white and red saree, with a red sindoor Teep on her forehead. She had a basket with her, and Koeli was accompanying her as she offered them the sweets she had taken as Prasad. “Since it’s his first day at the new position, we went to the temple together.” Asha narrated to Kalindi. “He left for work from there.” “Do you not have school today?” Kalindi enquired as Asha shook her head. She smiled, eyeing Trilochon, who narra...

Purnota: Chapter Forty One

Kalindi stood looking at the Ganga in the distance as Trilochon watched her. It was later in the night, and the stars were veiling the clear summer sky. A cool breeze blew from the Ganga, relaxing Kalindi’s restless heart as she took a stroll. Trilochon had spotted her in the garden from his balcony and walked up to her. She did not turn as he came up behind her and cleared his throat. “I apologise for storming off like that.” He was the first to speak. Kalindi inhaled. “Have you heard that she went to borrow a saree from Bouma to wear to some party?” Kalindi spoke rather monotonously. “Yes, Bouma said so.” Trilochon cleared his throat. He left out the part where Asha enthusiastically told him about Bondita blushing and her idea of telling Bondita to confess her feelings. Instead, Trilochon added, “The senior is very influential. He can have some good contacts for Bondita. Perhaps enough for her to get a job in Kolkata, like you wanted.” Kalindi could hear through his unconvincing...

Destiny

The war was almost won. A few of Marwar’s soldiers were left on the field along with Rao Maldeo Singh Rathore, their king and leader. He was thinking of retreating at the end of this day. As his sword clashed with one of the opponent generals as he eyed the opponent King now open and prone to attack. A little hope flickered in his mind as his eyes instructed his closest aide. The opponent was in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just sixteen, yet his bravery and valour reflected his blood and upbringing. He mesmerised the opponents and even Rao Maldeo with his clever war strategies and sword skills. As Maldeo’s aide swung his sword at a taken aback Udai Singh, someone’s sword defended it as his body acted like a shield for the king. He killed the man in one go. “ Ranaji, are you okay?” “ Haan Raoji.” He nodded gratefully. By half the day, the Marwar army had retreated as the air filled with “ Jai Mewar! Jai Eklingji!” From the triumphant soldiers. Rana Udai ...

Endless

Kunwar Pratap reached the Dangal. Ranima had ordered Ajabdeh to practise regularly. She was nowhere around since he woke up that morning. He had assumed she was with Ranima for the morning prayers, but then she was not in the Dangal on time, either. Ajabdeh was never late. He felt a little uneasy as he picked up the sword. A thunder made him look up at the gloomy sky as he felt the first drop of rain. A little wet, he ran through the corridors. Ajabdeh had woken up feeling unwell. He was sleeping after a tiring day, so she decided against calling him and, more, worrying him. She bathed, hoping to feel better, performed her puja and went to the gardens for some fresh air. Still feeling uneasy in the gloomy weather, she decided that playing with Parvati might make her feel better. After some talk with Bhago and playing with Parvati, she stood up from the floor and felt dizzy. Bhago caught her hand. " Are you all right?" " I just felt a little dizzy. I don't know why...

Purnota: Chapter Forty

“ Ei Bondita,” Asha called her from the stairs as Bondita placed down some papers Aniruddha wanted from the office and was leaving the house. “Come up to my room.” She waved. “ Aschi, Boudi.” Bondita walked up to her room, removing the waistcoat from over her Kurti. She sat down on the edge of Asha’s bed and closed the door. Bondita looked perplexed. “What… is wrong?” “Where is Dadabhai? Is he here?” Bondita shook her head. He was probably still working. “Sir.” The newly recruited junior knocked on the chamber door of Aniruddha’s office as he looked up from the screen. “Your father is here.” Aniruddha frowned a little at his words. Binoy never visited the office. He asked the man to bring him in. Binoy walked in, in a polo-necked navy blue t-shirt over a pair of beige pants, as Aniruddha observed him remove his glasses and look around. “What brought you here?” He enquired after waiting a little in vain for him to speak. “Just came by… for a chat.” Binoy sat down on the seat acros...

RAABTA

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