After that Jalal sat on the couch t

After that Jalal sat on the couch then requested Jodha in very polite manner "Jodha Begum, can you please come and sit next to me, I would like to talk to you."

Jodha got shocked seeing him so calm even after her impertinent attitude. She finally broke her silence and said softly "Shenshah, I am fine here. Tell me what you want to discuss."

Jalal felt little gloomy with her cold approach even though he continued in very polite tone "Jodha Begum, You don't have to continue with me for the whole day, you are free from my condition. I will behave the way you want me to with your parents. I want to..." he hesitated and fumbled for a second but then he started again... "I am sorry for my behavior earlier today. I should never have taken advantage of the situation."

Jodha looked at him stunned as she couldn't believe that he was really apologizing to her. Jalal amused her again. But then Jodha felt like he was probably feeling pity on her, so with her pompous tone she said "Shenshah, I don't want your mercy; I will fulfill your condition and stay with you all day and follow your orders. I did expect this type of behavior when I accepted your terms, but for me my parents and my family's respect is more important than my own self-respect."

Not wanting to hurt her ego again, Jalal said "Okay! As you wish Jodha Begum, get ready to spend a day with me then. I am going for horse riding in ten minutes, get ready for the ride." He looked straight in her eyes and continued in commending tone very clearly "I want a companion not a maid or a puppet. If you want to come with me, then come with your dignity. You are a begum of the Mugal Empire, Never forget that and if you are still going to act like a puppet then please don't show up." Jalal turned and walked out without looking back at her.

Jodha felt slightly relieved with his changed behavior but at the same time she had doubts on him, why is he showing these change suddenly? May be he has another game planned in mind? But he sounded very genuine. Why do I always feel he really likes me? I see deep longing in his eyes for me. Every time I look in his eyes, I feel utterly captivated in him and forget everything else. Why do I always feel like he pretends to hate me but doesn't actually hate me? She suddenly came out of her thoughts... her own thinking gave her shiver... oh Kanah ... Why am I so attracted to him?? Why am I being so stupid? She scolded herself...

She reached by the horse stables, where Jalal was waiting for her.

Jalal asked her tenderly "Jodha begum, do you want to ride with me or do you know horse riding?"

Jodha smirked with a stance look and walked through the entire stable and picked the best white horse for herself.

Jalal walked near her and with mocking tone he said "Jodha Begum, this horse is hard to handle, he is very fast and moody" he paused with smirked rubbing his chin thoughtfully he taunted her, "I think this will horse will match to your taste... you both have similar personalities."

Jodha glanced at Jalal with grin on her face and replied sarcastically "Shenshah, I am very well experienced in controlling difficult, wild and crazy horses and people too. I will be able to manage him proficiently. I don't need any suggestions from you." Then with in a flick she jumped and sat on the horse and was ready for the ride.

Jalal humbly said "Looks like you are an expert in horse riding as well."

Jodha proudly replied "Never forget that I am a Rajvanshi Princess, if necessary I can save your life too."

Jalal was happy to see Jodha back to her fiercely attitude. Jalal with little fury replied "Begum Jodha, you are too arrogant and you are underestimating Jalal's capability. Why don't you prove to me that you are better in horse riding than me?"

Jodha's rajvanshi blood boiled, "Oh, so you are challenging your begum Shenshah!"

Jalal gazed at her and replied "Yes! My Rajvanshi princess... It is a challenge."

Jodha with confidence said "Sure, I am ready for it."

Jalal pointed his finger and said. "Look at the end of this open land, faraway, there is a big tree near the lake and on that tree there is a red cloth hanging, whoever gets it wins the race."

Both of them looked at each other and stole a glance with smirk on their face then started racing. Of course Jalal was better in horse riding than Jodha so he was a little ahead of her. But when he looked back to see Jodha he got unfocused by her beauty. Her hair, her green chunni were flying in the air and her face was glowing again and her eyes were on the target. Jalal got so impressed with her horse riding skill and got lost in her mesmerizing beauty.

This distraction made him slower and Jodha passed Jalal and was now in front of him.

Jalal realized he was behind now so he put all his effort to win the race. Now they were riding next to each other. For some time they stayed next to each other.

Jodha noticed that Jalal was gazing at her without a blink. She blushed a little but then focused back on the target.

They were almost reaching the destination.

At last, Jalal started focusing on the race to win and got ahead, Jodha noticed that so she also pushed hard to win and they both jumped from the horse at the same time to catch the cloth. They both grabbed the cloth together but Jodha lost her balance and was about to fall, when Jalal realized that Jodha was falling he tried to save her and in that he lost his grip on the cloth but successfully saved Jodha from falling on the ground.

She fell in Jalal's arm with the cloth; her eyes were closed in fear of the fall. Their breathing was harsh and audible. Jalal was gazing at her while breathing deeply; she looked so innocent with her closed eyes, just like a little child. She clutched his neck and hid herself in his chest. Jalal didn't want to let her go from his arms. Her sweet smell, her soft cozy cuddle made him crazy. He wanted to hug her tightly and kiss her soft rosy pink lips.

After a few seconds, Jodha opened her eyes and saw passionate and sensual gawk in Jalal's eyes. His possessive and secured grip with intense stare gave her shiver.

She suddenly felt shy and blushed a little with his sensual gaze. She couldn't take her eyes off him as well, his bright sharp features with sensual look on his face were making him even more desirable.

After a few seconds, she snapped out and realized he has been holding her for so long which made her a little uncomfortable.

In a low tone shyly she said "Shenshah, please put me down."

Jalal came out of her magic charm and with deep sigh out he smirked and then put her down.

Jodha shyly said "Thank you for saving me from falling Shenshah, but you have lost the game." She sounded more excited and playful and then she showed him the cloth with winning pride on her face.

Jalal was staring at her innocent look, he smiled and replied with mystifying expression "Jodha begum, who knows who won and who lost?"

Jodha knew what he was trying to say. Both of them again got lost in each other's gaze.

She thought to herself, oh god, he is so attractive and charming. He can charm any woman with his one gaze. Then suddenly it occurred to her that she was staring at him, so to hide her emotions towards him she quickly asked him "Why are you being so nice suddenly?" Her voice came out sounding a little grouchier then she'd intended.

Jalal said in relaxed tone while walking towards the tree "Jodha begum, can't you forget the past and start fresh, instead of fighting why don't we get to know each other a little better?"

Jodha tetchily replied "So you are saying that it's me who always like to fight?"

Jalal looked back at her and started laughing at her innocence.

It was a bright sunny beautiful breezy morning! There was a little lake near this tree. The entire area was so peaceful and calm, birds were chirping around, cool breeze was blowing; lake was surrounded by colorful roses and jasmine plants. It was very peaceful and quite calming place.