Jodha's Chamber...Shahenshah, you h

Jodha's Chamber...

Shahenshah, you here? I thought you were gone to meet Ruqaiya begum...' Evidently surprised by his unexpected arrival, she gestured him to sit thereafter. Jodha begum, can I rest here for a few hours?' His tone was different and unusually low, and she didn't fail to catch it. He looked broken, shattered- as if everything was snatched away from him. What she didn't know was why, why was her love in such a condition? He would never request her like that if he wasn't depressed.

Shahenshah, are you alright?' Concerned, she put her arm on his shoulder, comforting him. I need to rest Jodha begum.' His reply was fair and curt, he was definitely NOT alright. Umm..Sure..'

He walked to her bed- as she continued to spot the difference in his demeanour. His shoulders were dropped as if in great distress, his eyes were swollen, his walk was slow, his tone barely above a whisper. What had happen to him? Joining him in the bed thereon, she stroked his forehead to comfort him.

Why is life so cruelly complicated Jodha begum?' He asked, gazing into the oblivion.

Shahenshah..' She started-his sudden enquiry had taken her by surprise. It all depends on how we look at it. If there's a painful, stinging side to a situation, then there's also a bright, pleasing side to it. All we have to do is to look for it, to search for it until we find it. And when we do, we realize that all our pains were long gone.' Her tone was calm and serene, as if filled with great peace. Somehow, her words seemed to hit him hard.

Ruqaiya loves me... I don't.. what should I say to her? I can see that painful side of this situation but where's the bright side? I don't think there's any... But then Jodha begum's words are so true.. they do seem true to me.. Maybe this is what I have to search for, the bright side of this.. Sigh. If only, he could open up to his Jodha, she could have tried to answer his questions, to put his doubts to rest. Leaning closer, Jodha kissed his forehead, pouring all her love for him through that kiss.

And so he slipped into slumber, Ruqaiya and Jodha's words ringing into his ears.