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Agra Fort, 1610
Arjumand was taken aback by the sudden pull of her hand from behind the pillar as she carefully waited near one of the unfinished ramps of the fort wall. She had a veil over her face, and if she was spotted by someone, she would be ready to say she was lost.
This place is supposed to be the newest addition to the Turkish Harem, with a tower and a few rooms, he’s been told. Jahangir had ordered red stones to match the rest of the fort, but Khurram suggested white marble. Jahangir was impressed by his eye for architecture and ordered special marbles from Amer and assigned him to look after the constructions while he was at Agra. However, the construction had stopped on the occasion of the wedding, and this back part of the harem remained secluded. Perfect for lovers.
Arjumand was about to shout when Khurram placed his palm over her mouth, “Hush, it’s me, Arju!”
“You scared me! And what is this, Arju?” She frowned.
“Your Phuphi calls you Arju, I noticed!” Khurram smirked.
“So?” Arjumand frowned slightly “You can’t!”
“Okay, should I call you something different then?” Khurram wondered.
“No.” She shook her head, “I like my name.”
“Come, let’s sit down.” Khurram placed a cotton cloth he had brought along, carefully folded, on the dirty rampart hidden from sight by a half-constructed pillar.
“Why did you want to see me urgently?” Arjumand frowned “Is everything alright?”
“Yes.” Khurram’s face suddenly looked grim. Arjumand carefully lifted the veil off her face and stared at his unreadable face.
“You look... different.” Arjumand frowned “I have to be back in an hour. If my mother finds out...”
“Don’t worry, Shah Ammi knows!” Khurram said in a hurry. Arjumand panicked.
“What? How?” She stared around, worried, “If my parents know... we are not supposed to meet before your wedding!”
“Hush!” Khurram made her stop firmly “It is okay, they won’t know.”
“What’s wrong?” Arjumand frowned.
“I have promised Shah Ammi to honour the new bride... as a wife.” He said, lowering his voice. Arjumand nodded.
“I know.”
“Are you... Okay with that?” Khurram frowned. Arjumand smiled faintly.
“My father told me there will be more, and I have to be ready for that.” Arjumand shrugged, “And I am.”
“Are you sure?” Khurram looked at her deeply as if to read her mind.
“I am Shehzaade.” She took his rough hand in between her soft palms. “Every woman is stronger than they look!”
“I don’t doubt that.” Khurram smiled, “I see Shah Ammi every day.”
Arjumand nodded with a smile, “And I see Mehr Phuphi too.”
“But... there will be days I will be away from you, perhaps with her...” Khurram reasoned.
“As long as you promise to come back to me... I will wait.” Arjumand smiled at him.
“I will, you are my home.” Khurram leaned forward, touching her nose with his. Arjumand’s heart raced. There was something in his eyes.
“We... should go...” She said almost in a murmur.
“No... stay...” Khurram pulled her closer by her waist and spoke.
“Shehzaade... we shouldn’t...” Arjumand reasoned.
“It’s too late to reason now, my lady. I have made up my mind,” Khurram murmured into her ears with a slight hint of a smirk.
Arjumand surrendered to his wishes, for the first time, of many to come.
The wedding day started with a series of rituals as Khurram attended to the guests with his father. Rukaiya Sultana Begum was being followed in tow by two of her Eunuchs and Mehr Un Nisa as they attended the Turkish Harem’s feast and preparations. A room was redecorated according to the choices of Rukaiya Begum for the new bride. She had ordered special furniture and decorations from the hills of Qandahar so that the girl felt at home. As Rukaiya Begum inspected every single detail of the room and handpicked a few Eunuchs and maids to serve her alongside those who came with her, Mehr Un Nisa admired Rukaiya Begum’s eye for detail. She was making sure the new bride was welcomed properly. Mehr-un-Nisa was happy imagining she would do the same to Arju.
Rukaiya Begum finally looked satisfied as the maids put fresh flowers in the vase. Jodha Begum arrived with her ladies and smiled at Rukaiya Begum.
“Mubarak ho, Begum.” She bowed. Jodha Begum dismissed her presence and walked across the room. “This has been wonderfully done, Sultana Begum! Congratulations.”
“To you, too, Jodha Begum, but you should thank Mehr. Most of it was her idea.” Mehr-un-Nisa was taken aback by Rukaiya Begum’s words. The only thing she suggested was a Persian carpet.
Jodha Begum glared at her with a pale look and continued, “I have come here with a request, Sultana Begum” Rukaiya Begum nodded at her words. “Traditionally, in our culture, we welcome the new bride with aarti. I would like to do so with Khurram’s bride, just as Mariam Ur Zamani did for me. Rukaiya agreed, “Surely, you can do that.”
“Very well then, it is almost time for the Shehzaade to be dressed.” Jodha Begum took their leave.
Khurram was in his room, being fitted with clothes that were ordered from the Royal Tailor, while he inspected himself in the mirror. Memories of Arjumand blushing in his arms, her scent and taste, filled his mind as he smiled unmindfully. The giggles of his sisters at the threshold made him stare.
“You seem lost in thoughts already!” They teased. Jagat Gossain made her way to the room, with a turban for his head, studded with nine gems and coloured pearls. She smiled at Khurram as he bowed. “You seem happy. I am happy for you.”
Khurram forced a smile. He hadn’t seen his bride, nor spoken to her. Fear of the unknown and uncertain filled his heart. He had promised Shah Ammi something, but he was not sure whether he could keep it. Worse, if she was nothing like the ladies he grew up around? He wondered with a sigh. Rukaiya Begum walked in, with Mehr Un Nisa in tow, carrying a plate, covered with velvet. Mehr Un Nisa carefully placed the plate down, removed the cover and stepped back. The princesses gasped at the jewellery shining in it. Jodha Begum smiled, stepping back for Rukaiya Begum to take over. Rukaiya Begum first picked up a pearl-studded emerald armlet and made Khurram give her his left arm to tie it on.
“These belonged to your grandfather, back when he was your age.” She said as she picked up the necklace. He was gifted these by Padshah Ghazi after our wedding.” Khurram nodded. He knew what Rukaiya Begum was giving away was not just a heritage or legacy but a part of her life, the most important one. He was overwhelmed. He felt like Shah Baba was there, blessing him on the occasion.
Rukaiya Begum held out the rings for him to wear. She stared at his face with moist eyes as Khurram’s smile faded.
“What is this, Shah Ammi?” He frowned “You are crying?”
“No, my Shehzaade, these are happy tears. You have always been my dream.” Khurram hugged her tightly, as Rukaiya wiped her tears and hugged him back. Jagat Gossain took a step back, her face a little pale, but smiling at them.
“Shehzaade Khurram.” A soldier bowed at the threshold, breaking this moment. “The Padshah says we are ready to depart.” Khurram kissed his mother’s hands. Jodha Begum made him stand on a stool while her ladies performed Nazar Utran, something he was familiar with on every lunar birthday. He touched her feet as a taken aback Jagat Gossain stared at Rukaiya Begum, who smiled.
“Bless your son, Jodha Begum; he is going to return a man.” Rukaiya Begum’s words made Jagat Gossain hug him. Khurram hugged back shortly.
“Let’s go.” He told the soldier and picked up the dagger for his belt.
As Khurram made his way through the corridors, a sudden sound of running anklets made him stop and turn with a smile as Ladli Begum came running, in her visibly new Sharara and stood in front of him.
“Take a breath!” Khurram stopped her “ I am still here.”
“A gift.... for you...” She managed between her breaths.
Khurram took the wrap from her hand and smiled.
“Open it!” Ladli smiled excitedly. He did, and he smiled wider. In the wrap was a small ivory elephant he had seen many times in Ladli’s toys.
“I give you my elephant, Shehzaade.” Ladli bowed. Khurram nodded, “I accept this generous gift, Ladli Begum. May I leave?”
“Yes, yes!” Ladli smiled, “Bring back a new bride.” Khurram let out a small laugh. “I will.”
Ladli watched him go and suddenly felt sad for the lost elephant now tucked away in Khurram’s belt, travelling with him.
The Padshah had left in an elephant, followed by the nobles on horses and the groom atop another elephant, painted in bright colours. Dancers danced in front of the parade with musicians playing, soldiers marched to clear the crowd gathered to catch a glimpse and Eunuchs with fireworks of all kinds. Gold coins specially minted by Jahangir, on the zodiacs, were distributed to the nobles, while those in his name were thrown at the crowd on the road. It was such a delightful sight to behold.
Rukaiya Begum sat down on a cushion in the gardens of Ram Bagh, where the ladies had gathered to make merry while they waited for the bride to come. The sound of fireworks and the band soon faded down the streets as they had all gathered on the rooftops to catch a glimpse of the departure. Jodha Begum came up to her and bowed.
“I have something to talk about.” She said.
“Now what is it, Begum?” Rukaiya looked up at her.
“I want to thank you.”
“Thank me?” Rukaiya frowned.
“Yes, Begum. All my life, I had regretted the fact that my only son never considered me his mother. I was jealous of the bond he shared with you, I was angry with my fate... Today, I am happy I was wrong. The Padshah was always right. He was more loved by you and Arsh Ashiyani than we ever could love him. I apologise for...”
“No Jodha Begum.” Rukaiya Begum interrupted, gesturing at her to take a seat beside her. “I had asked the emperor for a promise long back that my son would be king. I had forgotten about it after my miscarriages and the births of Daniyal and Murad. May Allah bless their souls! I had no idea that the Emperor remembered. He knew I never recovered from my traumas. And when he handed Khurram over to me, just days old, he held my thumb with his gentle touch, and I was so happy, so overwhelmed to be a mother, I forgot I was depriving you of the feeling.” Jodha Begum looked up at Rukaiya Begum, and for the first time in years, she saw the lady her husband admired, the harem respected, and the emperor loved, and she finally knew why. She never in her wildest dreams imagined that she and the former Padshah Begum could ever bond over something. But this was not just anything. It was their Khurram, their precious future.
“Jodha Begum, can I tell you something?” Rukaiya Begum looked at her as she nodded.
“Don’t try too hard to survive; we will all slip into oblivion someday.” Rukaiya sighed. Jagat Gossain cleared her throat.
“I was my father’s favourite daughter.” She said, almost sounding distant, “While my uncles were trying to survive independently, he gave in to the Padshah’s might. Everyone called him a coward. My cousins stopped exchanging letters with me the moment they heard I was engaged to Shehzaade Salim. I was scared. I had heard terrible rumours about this Harem, none of which were true. Back in my land, they prefer to die over surrender or marry into what they assume as enemy dynasties. It was then, amidst all the humiliation from my kin, perhaps because we were never as brave as they, nor my father a deft warrior, that my mother told me to prove myself. To stand out in the harem and make my presence felt.” Jagat Gossain sighed. “I had no idea what a Padshah Begum did; you intimidated the young teenage Jodha Begum, who came here scared. You were like an enigma at a distance. I wanted to be that. I wanted to be powerful and stand out, so I desperately tried to please him.”
“I know Jodha Begum. When Mariam Ur Zamani came here, she too faced a lot of uncertainties. I never held anything against you... except...” Rukaiya Begum stared at Mehr Un Nisa, attending to the guests. Jagat Gossain followed her eyes to Mehr and sighed.
“I never thought Mirza Koka would kill him. I expected him to go tell the emperor to investigate treason against Ali Quli, then go to Bardhaman himself like a fool!” Rukaiya Begum smiled at her words.
“He is going to marry her, isn’t he?”Jagat Gossain asked as Rukaiya Begum shrugged.
“Things are not that simple.” She said, unmindfully. Jagat Gossain nodded.
“I just want you to know I won’t come in the way.” Jagat Gossain spoke as Rukaiya Begum nodded. “He loves her...” Jagat Gossain murmured.
“He respects you, too.” Rukaiya Begum added. “So will Khurram. I have taught him not to discriminate between his wives.” Jagat Gossain did not have the heart to tell Rukaiya Begum what her spies had told her during Khurram’s conversations with Arjumand.
