" Jalal " Ruqaiya's sweet voice woke up the sleeping Shehenshah from his slumber. " Its morning. Wake up "

Jalal squirmed in the embrace of his first wife, now almost a month pregnant. He had come late at night the day before, and spent all of his time with her without even freshening up.

" You're pregnant and still awake at this time? Why?" Jalal shot up from his bed, looking around to find that it was just daybreak. " Do you need something? Are you in any discomfort? Should I add more pillows-"

" Jalal, shhh...shh" Ruqaiya shushed her childhood sweetheart, chuckling at his antics. " I just wanted something to eat, and I have already ordered Hoshiyaar to bring me some fruits. However, I am asking you to wake up because you should now go back to your chamber. The new Begum's caravan has arrived"

Jalal whipped his head at Ruqaiya, as he didn't expect Jyoti to be mentioned by her at all.

Even though he loved Ruqaiya, and respected her, he knew what kind of a woman she was. A woman who was sweeter than honey to him, but a deadly viper to everyone else.

She was the woman who had conquered his brain and knew all the mazes going on in his mind. The woman who would stick with him through thick and thin, and even slay everyone, to just become the ONLY one standing beside him. Such was the fierce love that Ruqaiya held for him, and Jalal accepted it wholeheartedly.

Afterall, such should be the attitude of a Queen. And currently, she was on her way to become the Mariam-uz-zamani of the vast Empire, and their child, the first heir of the throne.

However, for such a woman, to not only mention another Begum's name, but even wake Shehenshah up just to inform of his new wife's arrival was nothing more than a shock to Jalal.

" So, Begum Noor has arrived?" Jalal asked once again, as if to check whether he was dreaming it all up or not. As it wouldn't have been the first time.

He had dreamt of holding Jyoti in his embrace and twirl in the midst of meadows filled with lilies and roses, while being in a slumber in his first wife's arms.

He had felt immensely guilty, but such thoughts were better kept a secret. If Ruqaiya ever got any hint of his affection towards the new Begum, Jyoti's life would not only be turned to hell, but could even fall in danger.

" Noor?" Ruqaiya quirked up her eyebrows as she scooted closer to Shehenshah in the big bed laden with silk. " She told me her name is Jyoti. Begum Jyoti isn't it?"

" Shit" Jalal could see the fire rising in Ruqaiya's eyes. " Yes, yes, I meant Jyoti only Ruqaiya"

" Then who's Noor?" Ruqaiya was not a dumb woman with whom such things could be kept in the dark. Especially when it came to Jalal, everything that he loved, was an obstacle to her.

Thus she needed to keep a list of such things with her all the time, so that she could ensure that all those things stayed confined to their lanes and never dared to step into the boundaries that only she could cross with Jalal.

Jalal pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to come up with something that would keep Ruqaiya at bay. He hated how he would need to pacify her possessiveness everytime, but he loved her too. The childhood friend that stuck with him through war and death, the one that never betrayed him.

" Jyoti and Jodha are very similar names aren't they? I kept forgetting her real name so I asked what Jyoti meant and just translated it to Urdu. Afterall, I don't want Begum Jodha to appear in front of me if I called for Begum Noor- it would give me a heart attack" he managed to come up with something while standing up to get dressed.

Ruqaiya was about to stand up too but Jalal motioned her to stay seated on the bed. " Rest. Don't push yourself. You carry within you the heir of the Sultanate. I shall not let you be uncomfortable in any way"

" Jalal I am just a month pregnant " Ruqaiya chuckled, " what will you do when I start to show? I reckon you'll bind me to the bed"

" How dare I bind my wife to bed?" He came closer to her and kissed her forehead, " unless that's what you would want" he smirked as Ruqaiya's cheeks flushed at his remark.

" Jalal stop it" she warned, as she beckoned her head towards the rising sun, denoting that it was already time for him to leave for his duties.

" Whatever my Begum wants" Jalal caressed her cheek, and then her belly, lastly proceeding to wear his Sherwani.

" So...you want to call Begum Jyoti to your chamber soon huh?" Ruqaiya picked up the topic again, just to get a ruse out of her husband. She could tell, Begum Jyoti was someone who had caught Jalal's eyes, but it wouldn't be the first time that a woman had intrigued him.

Ruqaiya could always figure out the emotions going on within Jalal's mind, as his eyes always reflected his inner turmoil. He was always angry, the fury of a Shehenshah always enveloped his gaze. And she took pride in the fact that his gaze only turned soft for her, and no one else. For every other woman, he either had respect or lust, but only for her, he carried the bond of friendship which he couldn't find anywhere else.

However, a part of her cried everyday at the fact that Jalal couldn't find romantic love within her, but she managed to hide her sorrows behind the excuse, that Jalal was someone who didn't have a heart.

That he always acted through his mind, the mind that she was able to conquer.

But she never realised, that by accepting the excuse, she was hurting the man she loved the most. Because she was just like everyone else, who saw him as a heartless monster, incapable of giving or receiving love.

" Ruqaiya...." Jalal groaned at her tone, looking at her with accusing eyes, " not now please"

" Come on, she is quite pretty and cute, I know. Atleast after Jodha Begum, she must feel like a fresh air no? Begum Jyoti- no wait, Noor- or wait..maybe only you want to use the name?" Ruqaiya teased Jalal, as the later pondered seriously over her words.

He didn't want anyone else to call her by the name he had chosen. It didn't sit well with him. Noor wasn't her name. It was Jyoti. And it will always be Jyoti. He didn't want his decision of calling her by a different name to change her identity.

" Her name is Jyoti, I think you should use that" Jalal stated, straightforwardly, " I don't think she would like being called a different name by everyone. Afterall, its her identity"

" Hmm... I do agree with that" Ruqaiya laid down on the bed, " by the way, did she agree to change religions?"

Jalal was again taken out of his train of thoughts by Ruqaiya's question. He hadn't thought about that at all. He was too busy being enamoured by Jyoti's presence to even think about anything political or religious in the last week.

" I haven't asked her yet" Jalal stated truthfully.

" Why not? She is very agreeable, she would probably just go with your decision" Ruqaiya stated as atlast Hoshiyaar came with a tray of fruits and laid them down in front of her.

" You talked to her?" Jalal questioned.

" Yes" Ruqaiya replied, picking a grape and putting it into her mouth, " Jodha Begum arranged a welcome ceremony for Jyoti Begum, just how Ammi-jaan had done during Jodha Begum's time. I went there too, as I had woken up before daybreak and heard the commotion outside"

" You should have woken me up then" Jalal complained.

" I didn't know the new Begum had arrived. I was just taking a stroll and saw Jodha Begum rush out. I guess she was angry that there wasn't any preparation to welcome the new bride"

" The caravan was supposed to reach tomorrow -" Jalal rubbed his forehead as he wondered how he should apologise to Jyoti for his clumsiness. " I got the dates wrong... Forgot to take into account that I slept through almost a whole day-"

" My arms are that comfortable aren't they?" Ruqaiya chuckled. " But don't worry, I won't stop you anymore. You're free to meet your new wife. She seems eager to meet you too"

" You.." Jalal squinted his eyes in suspicion, " don't seem to dislike her"

Ruqaiya scoffed, " is that how you view me? As a jealous old hag?"

" Old? No. Jealous?... Yes" Jalal again sat down on the bed, " come on, we all know how jealous you get. And you have the right too, you're my first Begum and the mother of my firstborn. Your jealousy will never be questioned"

" Seems like its being questioned now" she chuckled, " but no, I found her quite cute. She recognised me, and bowed down to touch my feet for blessings. I guess that's what they do in Hindu families. I told her that I am actually younger than her, but she just laughed and said that she respects me as your first wife and the future Mariam-uz-zamani, that's why she took my blessings" Ruqaiya narrated, while biting down on an apple, " to be honest, I was shocked she knew the political stances of Begums of the Emperor. It seems she had been reading about our Sultanate"

" She seems to be knowing Urdu too" Jalal informed, " she was the one who read out the letter to me"

" Really?" Ruqaiya said, shocked at the revelation.

" And she was the one who-" Jalal bit down on his words.

" Who?"

" Nothing. She was really happy at the news. She also gave me permission to leave so I guess you shouldn't hold much grudges against her"

Jalal was about to tell Ruqaiya that Jyoti was the one who made him come to her, leaving the caravan, but decided to let it be. Ruqaiya didn't have to know all the details. Just believing whatever made her happy was enough.

" Hmm" Ruqaiya scratched her chin, "she is too naive. Almost like a child. Or maybe she's acting like one and is actually a spy"

" Maybe" Jalal shrugged, atlast getting up to leave, " but spying on Jalaluddin Mohammad is not an easy task for anyone, let alone a Begum who will surely fall for my charms" he bragged, while only receiving an apple being thrown at him by his wife.

" Yea sure" Ruqaiya scoffed, " now leave. Its almost time for your prayer too"

" Ok ok. I shall take my leave then. Take care. Don't stress too much okay? I will rush to your side whenever you want me near you"

" I know Jalal" Ruqaiya and Jalal bid their goodbyes, as the latter turned to reach Jyoti's assigned chamber.

He only had asked his Ammi to set up one of the livelier rooms for his new bride, as her room shall speak the same language as her personality; exuding light and happiness everywhere around, and he only hoped that that's what she got.

He asked around to ensure that Jyoti had gotten one of the rooms which received the first rays of the rising sun, and promptly shuffled away towards the chamber.

But as he walked down the lanes that connected every chamber of the Harem, he saw a group of women leaving the room he was walking towards. The one leading them, Begum Jodha, seemed a bit too much into her thoughts, as she tripped on her own feet and was about to fall, just when Jalal swooped in and caught her by her arms.

" Watch where you're going Begum Jodha!" He exclaimed angrily, as he steadied her harshly.

" Shehenshah! Pranaam" she greeted him, " Goodmorning"

" Hmm... Goodmorning" he nodded curtly and was about to walk away, but felt as if Jodha was about to say something. " Is there something you wish to speak?"

" Ah.." Jodha, the third wife of Jalal who had entered the Haram only two months back knew of his brute side only, and was thus habitual to his harsh tone. However for some reason, unknown to the Shehenshah, she didn't counteract this time to his curt tone. " No, nothing. I shall take my leave. Pranaam"

She bowed slightly and then spun on her heels to leave, as the trail of women helpers behind her too followed suit.

Everything about the interaction comfused Jalal, but he didn't care about it. He only wanted to meet his Noor, just when a small tug made him stop in his tracks yet again.

" God is really mocking my restlessness today. Begum Noor, I really hope this separation is just a test and not a permanent barrier in our lives!" He cried, exaggerating his emotions in his head, as he turned to meet the eyes of the young 4 year old prince Rehman, the son of late Bairam Khan and Salima Begum, who was currently Jalal's second wife.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Me: Oh exams are in 9 days. Let's study a lot!
My brain: Nope. Write the chapter.
Me: But the exams are just in a few days.
My brain: Write the chapter.
Me: But the exams-
My brain: WRITE. THE. CHAPTER.
Me, quivering in fear: ok...

Hello Readers!

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