RECOVERY CHAMBERGradually 0pening h

RECOVERY CHAMBER

Gradually 0pening his heavy eyes, the fatigued young man took a few moments to lazily scan the ornate etchings that adorned the ceilings of the recovery chamber. He'd never paid such attention to them in the past - he'd never had to! For a short while, his mind and body endeavoured to attune themselves to this 'relatively' new state of being awake - of feeling alive, of experiencing pain. Strangely enough, he welcomed this feeling - it was better than the helpless state of semi-consciousness he'd been trapped in for the past two days! Twitching his fingers to abate the stiffness, the Emperor overcame the pangs of pain in his neck as his glimpses swept past the other pretty sights of the room - till he suddenly realized that he was not alone.

'Oh...so you're here?'

He caught her huddled silhouette seated on a low couch in a corner of the chamber.

Despite his incapacitated state, it didn't take him long to observe the toll the ordeal had taken upon her. As the exhausted queen rested against her palm, she appeared unconcerned by how her otherwise pristine tresses were now hanging aside in shabby lumps. Her kohl had smeared well and beyond her bewitching eyes and the borders of her ghagra still displayed splattered remnants of the murky marshes they'd traipsed through on that fateful night.

'S...S...Shehenshah...I've removed the bullets from your rifle' those were the last coherent words he'd heard. Strangely enough, those were the very first words that came to his mind when he returned to his senses now. Those catastrophic words AND images of the terrifying tiger that'd attacked him so mercilessly!

Everything else was just a hazy blur since then 'You must stay alive, Shehenshah!' 'Wake up Shehenshah...WAKE UP!' 'I will not let you die...'

While his body had been taking its time to respond to the medication the last two days, he'd found himself slipping between phases of vivid consciousness and a numb trance! So, while he knew not everything that'd transpired thereupon, he wasn't entirely oblivious to it either.

Suddenly sensing a slow stir in her direction, he temporarily put his thoughts on hold to pay heed to the queen - just as she saw him.

Gradually standing up in her spot, she'd started walking towards him. Though her presence brought about a bewildering mix of sentiments, the first emotion that seemed to dominate his mind was definitely that of outrage. Time and again, she'd offended his sentiments and he'd forgiven her for it. However, this time she'd played with his life. This time she'd taken things a step TOO far. He instantly looked away in displeasure.

Following what felt like a relatively long spell of silence, the hesitant queen spoke up in a low tone 'I apologize for my actions Shehenshah...I did not intend for all this to happen to you...I only wanted to protect the innocent...

'Ha!' he cut her in disdain 'Yes...yes...I know...and I'm supposed to understand...I'm supposed to forgive you for this preposterous deed of yours...for risking the life of the Emperor of the Sultanat!'

She didn't have anything to say to it - his rage was justified, after all. Another long interval of silence ensued.

Adjusting her crumpled veil, Jodha again resumed making conversation - her tone civil 'Shall I summon Begum ruaiyya or Ammijaan...they were here so long...they only left a few moments ago...Are you feeling better now, Shehenshah? Your wounds are healing well...'

'You should know...you seem to be the one treating me' he paused 'Disguising the wounds of hatred by wrapping them with medicines of tender love, is it Jodha Begum?' he repeated a phrase he'd uttered not too long ago - only this time the bitterness was starkly evident.

'Those wounds of hatred were definitely not give by me Shehenshah' she came back calmly

He turned to observe her forlorn form for a few moments. There was no denying it - however imperfect her presentation seemed, her beauty remained unblemished! While she tried to stay as composed as she could, he had no qualms about trying to embarrass her with his onslaught of glares.

'Haven't you slept in the past two days?' He went on to ask - a question that felt more like a taunt than like concern 'Oh yes I forgot' he answered himself 'You can't sleep with a stranger in your room, can you?'

'I have slept all I needed to Shehenshah...' Jodha replied and then stopped. She'd noticed his brows contort as he was trying to attempt something 'If you tell me what is troubling you...I shall see what I can do to help you feel better..' she asked with regard

He was not familiar with this placid stance of hers. As it is, he'd been irked by her deeds and her current impassiveness did not seem to help his already-volatile temperament. He HAD to get back at her for it all 'Well...' he eventually spoke up with an unsympathetic sneer 'What would make me feel better is to watch you suffer...to suffer the consequences for reducing the Empire of the Mughal Sultanat to this state... but, I am unable to decide upon the apt punishment for your crime!' he put on an act of worry 'Tell me, how should I penalize you?'

Her face grew a shade paler in response. His words stung! It was not because she felt unacknowledged for the immense lengths she'd gone through to save him. After all, how would he be aware of all that she'd endured to rescue him? Besides, she owed him at least that much, if not more!

His spiteful words hurt because they'd driven her to subconsciously remember his serene profile at the Dargah that she'd witnessed few nights ago - an affable form of his that she'd briefly admired. She couldn't help but compare. How shockingly contrasting both facets of this man were and YET it was the same man. Letting out a subtle smirk in response to his claims, she replied on a seemingly casual note 'I am a Rajputani. I have no qualms in accepting whatever punishment you feel fit to mete, Shehenshah!'

'Oh! So, that was her game? Did she think he wouldn't punish her?'

He paused for a moment and then hurled an assertive glance to his left 'I need that shawl...I want to sit up...'

'All right Shehenshah...I will send for the bandhis right away...' her tone was earnest 'They will be able to...'

'NO!' he interrupted the queen with a sarcastic grin 'YOU are my Begum...and when you are here right beside me now...why do I need anyone else to serve me so?'

Perceiving the overt and not-so-overt gist of the snide statement, Jodha stared at him in silence for a brief spell

'Oh! So, that was his game?'

'Is it not?' he asked her once again, shaking her out of her stupor

'As you say!' she thereafter replied befittingly. It was wise not to argue with a lion, it was wiser not to argue with a wounded one at that.

Moving forth to pick up the folded red shawl from the trunk nearby, Jodha flapped it open and returned to his bed. Taking a moment to study his arrogant reactions with mild disapproval, Jodha placed the shawl beside them and then bent down to aid him. Desperately trying to hide her growing apprehensions, the queen placed both her palms on the exposed skin of his arms with caution - taking care not to brush past any of his drying wounds. Wrapping her fingers around his robust arms, she attempted to tug him up. However his body didn't budge up - he was too heavy for her to lift. She tried once again with all her might - only to end up with an unsuccessful attempt yet again. She cast a flustered look at him and only then did she notice the vain smirk that dictated his lips.

'Lord!' she realized - he was deliberately challenging her by not co-operating in the least!

She was about to release her grasp, when he abruptly stopped her from doing so. Continuing to gaze into her sceptical eyes, he firmly held down one of her wrists that were wrapped around him arm - ignoring the intense pain he felt while doing so

'I didn't think that 'Rajputanis' gave up so soon!' He was definitely not planning to make it easy.

Marking his lop-sided smirk with growing annoyance, she wrapped her fingers around his arms once again. Glaring at him all along, Jodha made another effort to lug him up. The conceit in his eyes was the ONE thing that made her overlook how close she was to him while doing so. This time he thankfully complied with her and heaved himself up.

Grimacing in pain as every muscle ached with soreness, Jalal finally leaned against the bedstead. Glancing at her with an audacious frown, he prodded her soon after 'The shawl! Bring it...'

How harsh he sounded. For a moment Jodha couldn't help but wonder if this apathetic king was the very man who'd saved her life - the very man who'd forsaken his prized Royal crown as alms! If he gave, he gave with all his being and if he decided to take, he took with all his being too! Letting out a tired gasp thereafter, Jodha picked up the red shawl and wrapped it around the shoulders of the king - aware that he was perpetually gazing at her while she followed his orders.

'Tch...tch how careless!' his sudden jibe startled her for a moment. He was pointing to his shoulder and neck. The medicinal paste had, not surprisingly; smeared - thanks to HIS wish of having a shawl wrapped over it!

She observed his expressions with a frustrated sigh -he made no effort to hide how far he was enjoying all of it. Repeatedly reminding herself not to react to his inciting gestures, the stoic Jodha went over to the table that the medicinal bowls had been placed on. She picked the one with the paste in and came back to his side. No sooner than the queen dipped her fingers into the paste, he stopped her by raising his hand.

'Now what?' she exclaimed mentally

He indicated to a place on the bed right next him 'You are not a slave...you are my Begum...you can sit beside me as you do me the honours...'

The worry lines on her temple creased deeper as she perceived how he was trying to test her patience. Compelled to rein the rebel in her, Jodha struggled to stay poised. Gradually t