2
1422 Words
Nur Jahan, Shazeb's voice was laced with anger.
"What did you say?"
" Exactly what you heard, Sultan Shazeb Meer Afdali. I want you to free me from this bondage."
Shazeb meer Afdali. She addressed him by his full name. King Shazaeb was mad with anger and he threw everything in his way.
He grabbed her with her arms.
"I don't care if it hurts you because your words killed me. You have lost your senses, Nur, how dare you utter those words? Did you forget you are a royal and we set examples? The word divorce is not in our dictionary. You know, me marrying Seema was inevitable. If you were capable enough, I would never have taken another wife. Taking a second wife is the reason for you uttering such nonsense or can you not tolerate the news that Seema is bearing my child and heir to the throne?"
He knew she was very stubborn and her voice was full of determination. He uttered those words in anger.
His words pierced her heart like a thousand words.
"Yes, I am jealous if that makes you happy. The trunk there contains all the jewellery and gifts you have given me. I will make arrangements to send them to your queen. She will definitely be pleased with them."
" Don't you dare do that, Nur? I am warning you"
Take this. She handed him a paper"
He glanced at the trunk. She knew he would not give her meaningless jewellery or gifts. Each and everything has its own importance. He glanced at the papers. His breath was struck, His heartbeat stopped a moment. It felt like someone sucked his soul.
He looked at her with frustration. Did he push her this far? It looked like there was a point of no return.
He took her hands in his hand and raised her chin with another one.
" Noorie, you mean a world to me. I can never imagine my life without you in it. Please give me a chance. I will be back to you once the baby is born". He kissed her hands, her eyes. She shoved him away.
"Shazeb Afdali I am not seema who will take the rights of another woman. Your words, your promises are all lies, just like you. I can't even bear to look at you. There is nothing left between us now."
She spoke with a calm and determined tone. His anger was at its peak.
" Nur Jahan, what do you think? How will your father take this news? Do you think he will take you back, no king will marry a barren woman, or do you have any lover outside?"
" I know that you are not a man of good virtue, but I pity you. What else should I expect? A man like you could just assassinate my character.
My father lost all rights when he married you to his beloved niece and asked me to give you space for a year. Both of you lost respect in my eyes.
I heard your venomous words yesterday. How far do you plan to go? I am pretty sure you would not hesitate to kill me if your beloved wished. I will transfer all these belongings to your chambers. Your beloved wife would love it. Don't show me your face again and let's sort this out amicably. Soon everyone will forget that you had a wife named Nur Jahan."
She took his hands to her eyes." I wish you all the best for your future. You may leave."
He pushed her to the ground. "I will never leave you, Nur. I can't live without you. Get that in your head. Never" He roared.
"Get out of here. You are a Coward, Liar, and go and tell your beloved to stop scheming against me. I myself want to get free from your shackles."
" Coward, loser label me anything. Even if you leave, you will always be the wife of Shazeb. I will never divorce you ever. There is no point arguing with you. I will talk to you tomorrow."
"Aimen begum take care of her." He called for her foster mother.
*******************************************************************************************
Shazeb was in deep grief tonight. He was just thinking about Nur.
It was all my fault that my Nur now wants to walk away from me, from this marriage.
Seema came to him." Shah, I love you. Thank you for the jewellery. It's beautiful"
"What jewellery?"His eyes landed on the trunk.
She is stubborn. She is aware that her returning this will hurt me. Nur was not into diamonds and gold, unlike seema. He remembered his past.
"Nur, you, don't you like it? another woman will go crazy seeing this necklace. Look, this is specially made by craftsmen from Arabia."
" You are my jewellery sultan. I don't need these worldly things."
He engulfed her in his arms." What are you doing? "
"Putting your favourite jewellery on you." He gently gave her a kiss on her cheeks.
She was laughing
The noise of anklets brought him back.
As expected, Seema was taking out all the jewellery and trying it on.
His eyes landed on the pair of anklets, His first gift to her on their wedding night. He took them and kept them in His pockets.
" Shah, can you please help me with this necklace?"
Shahzeb looked at everything. He used to make her wear everything with his hands.
"Later seema I have some work. I will be in the study room tonight"
Shazeb knew he had lost her, he was just starting at papers in his hands. He banged his head on the desk. He took out the anklet. His eyes were moist. She handed him the divorce papers. The reason for requesting divorce was neglect. He was asked by royal scholars to present his side of the story within 3 months.
I will do everything for you, Nur. I will not leave you ever. He said to himself with determination.
He lost his heart the first time he laid eyes on her. He recalled their first meeting.
Flashback
"Nur Jahan, please slow down. You will be lost. "
"Hafeez Bhai beat me if you can. Let us see what will reach the palace soon."
Shahzeb had lost his way and was standing near the river to feed his thirsty horse.
"Aye stranger, you are trespassing. " A beautiful voice echoed.
He saw a girl with a face-covering riding a black horse. Her golden eyes were enchanting. Her voice was like a sweet melody.
"But I don't see anyone here and this is no man's land for your information." He looked into her fiery eyes.
" It's too dangerous for a girl like you out here. I don't know what..."
She suddenly jumped from her horse, pushing him down. An arrow passed above Shahzeb's head.
"The first rule is always to be aware of your surroundings", she said.
She did not realise her face covering fell and his eyes were gaping at her enchanting face. She took out a whistle and made a noise like giving some signal.
He paid no heed to her words. He involuntarily touched her cheeks.
She pushed his hand and drew her sword to his neck. Suddenly, two of Shahzeb's soldiers arrived and attacked her. He was amused by this little girl who looked barely 16 or 17. She was fighting like a pro and took down two of his soldiers before he could react. She drew her sword back to his neck.
" Down on your knees," she ordered.
"Did you just challenge me a little minx? "Shahzeb bent on his knees, pulling her along with him. She landed on his chest and cursed him loudly. Her long hair covered his face. She got up and tied her scarf back.
"Nur Jahan are you there?" Shahzeb heard a male voice.
"Yes, brother" she screamed and climbed her horse.
"Tell me your address, little one." He held the halter of Nur's horse.
"Why? " She asked.
"So that we can meet again."
"i***t. Try to learn some manners. It is forbidden to touch a girl who is not related to you." She kicked him and turned her horse.
"Nur Jahan " Shazeb called her name.
"What?"
She looked back.
"I will make sure that I have all the rights to touch you when we meet next time", He blew a kiss and winked at her.
She did not wait and was off.
- Writer
