Is It Hate OR Love? Jodha Akbar

Chapter 35 Part 1

Chapter 35 Part 1

Abdul, in a low tone, called him, "Shahenshah, please wake up. "Always awake, his subconscious mind woke him up in a jiff. Jalal looked at Abdul with hazy eyes, seeing a deep line of worry on his forehead. He immediately flicked up from the uncomfortable bed and put his hand on Abdul's shoulder; and asked, "Abdul, what happened? Why are you looking so stressed? Is everything alright?"

Abdul struggled how to lay this horrifying news to Jalal. After inhaling, he collected all his strength then stated in a low fearful tone, "Shahenshah, Queen Jodha, and Nandu are missing. I have looked at their cottage, by the river, at practice ground, but I could not find them. Not only them, but all of the soldiers are missing as well. I don't know what is going on? My fear is, what if someone has abducted them?"

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The first reaction to word abduction, Jalal's hands, reached his sword and brought terror to widened eyes. But before he could utter a word Panditji walked into the cottage, and with the utmost respect, he greeted the King and Abdul, then informed, "Shahenshah, please don't worry for Hira and Nandu." He paused and corrected himself, "I mean Queen Jodha and Nand Kishore. Here is the message from Queen Jodha." He gave a rolled green covered letter to Jalal then continued, "Queen Jodha has left to Amer, and for her security, she has taken all the soldiers with her and sent one of the messengers to Agra to send guards for your protection. They will arrive here by afternoon."

Jalal could not digest the words; his sharp brain denied comprehending the simple information. The intellectual King questioned foolishly to Panditji with squinted eyes, "What? Where?" His agitated confused sound made Panditji uncomfortable.

While looking down, in a faint tone, Panditji recapped, "Today, early morning Queen Jodha went to Amer."

Jalal's cold eyes behold at Abdul with a questioning gaze. Before Jalal bust at him, Abdul looked at Panditji and thanked him for the information.

After Panditji left the cottage, Jalal spoke in a deliberate slow voice for maximum impact, "What is this, Abdul? Why did our warrior not report to you before leaving us?" His tone alarmed Abdul; he very well knew when to answer and when to keep mum.

Jalal's nostrils flared; his stony eyes hardened with frustration his fist slammed at the wall. A faint voice echoed with one word, "Why?" His fury turned into confusion, then disbelief followed by hurt. He sat on the chair, then rolled his hands through his hair and exhaled.

Abdul gave him a minute to control himself, then in a low tone, he requested, "Shahenshah, can I read the letter."

Without looking at Abdul, he forwarded the green roll.

Abdul wasn't sure Jalal was ready for him to read the message, so he waited for his attention.

Jalal lifted his eyes and, with frustration, stated, "Waiting for what, Abdul? Now Spill the bean?"

After reading the first sentence, Abdul's face filled with humor. While controlling his tone, he spoke, "My and only mine." he paused, then said in a clear and precise speech each word while looking at him directly, "Akdu... stubborn... cranky and short temper, but loving Jalal. By now, you must have already learned that I have left for the Amer. So, come on, stop fuming. I know for sure, right now you growling at Abdul, and your face turned red in anger and ears ejecting smokes." With every word, it was getting harder for Abdul to conceal smirk from his face.

Abdul's eyes twinkled with mischief; eventually, a snicker dashed out from his mouth, which annoyed Jalal.

The next sentence directly addressed to Abdul, "Abdul, before reading further, please give him a big glass of cold water and make sure he drinks it."