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1222 Words
Nur hugged him tightly. No matter how much she is hurt by him, she still loves him. Her tears were wetting his dress. He never realized until now how much she was hurt by him.
He was shocked by her act. He thought she was very stubborn and would throw a lot of tantrums. He never saw her in such a venerable state. Not even when she heard that she might not be capable of having any children.
They had a very happy marriage. Being married to her was a dream come true for him.
" Why did you break me, Sultan? Tell me, where did I go wrong? I changed myself completely for you. I left everything for you but you discarded me like a used piece. I wanted to be a warrior but left everything and moulded myself the way you wanted. You never once thought about me. Permitting you for a second marriage was not easy for me, but I agreed with a heavy heart just for our kingdom, our people. You made me feel worthless. You should leave me. Doing justice to both wives is not in your hands."
" Nur, it's never like that I love you. This can never change. I was a fool not to give you time, but I realised my mistake and I am happy that you are not acting stubborn."
She was shocked at his choice of words.
" Tell me one thing, Sultan, the other day in my garden. What you promised your second wife was it true?"
It clicked to him that she must have heard everything between him and Seema. When he married Nur, he gave her this part of the placethat belonged to his late grandmother, who was the previous resident. The garden was decorated under her expertise and supervision. Seema was not happy with her residence. She wanted Nur's wing of the palace. He took her for a walk without getting Nur's permission.
" Shah, I love this garden so much. I can imagine you, me and our kids playing here. What will princess Nur Jahan do here after all she is a barren lady?"
" Seema, I gifted her this part and I cannot take it back. "
" Please Shah, can you not try? For your child. It is so peaceful here. "
" I will try dear, Nur has become more stubborn nowadays."
"My beloved Sultan, please listen to me, I don't want your barren wife near me. People say it's a bad omen. Please think about our child. My mother was saying a barren woman's longing gaze is more dangerous than an evil eye. I don't want anything to happen to our prince. You shift her somewhere else. You can visit her once a month or more, whatever you prefer. I have no problem with it."
"Seema!" anger flashed in his eyes, but she was not wrong. He thought that it was better to keep Nur away from this place.
She would not tolerate me with Seema and kids. I will spend time with her without any disturbance.
"As you wish my queen, I will make arrangements for her to shift to old Shabad mahal."
" Happy now", he hugged her and gave her a passionate kiss.
Unaware that a broken-hearted girl was listening to all this.
He felt remorseful listening to Nur.
" You should have let me know that you are so uncomfortable with my presence in the palace. "
" Sweetheart, it's not what you heard. You misinterpreted my words. I thought it would be nice if you moved so that I could spend time together with you uninterrupted"
" You corrected her not even once. I am not a barren person. My womb is not capable just because of my injury, which I got while saving you. Can your wife love you as much as I did? Can she give up her life for you?"
" Nur, I promise I will make up to you."
Before he could talk further, he was interrupted by his guard.
" Sorry for the interruption, your majesty, but your presence is needed urgently."
" Nur, we will talk tonight. I promise."He left.
What a fool I am to think he is making an effort. She was in tears again. Why does loving someone make you feel so weak? I thought love makes you strong. I am just a liability to him now.
If loving a person makes you feel weak, then that love is not worth it. When you feel strong because of the person you love, that is true love.
I don't think what we had was even love. It was just a temporary attraction.
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Seema came to know about Shazeb's visit to Nur Jahan through her trusted maid.
" Are you upset, my queen?" The maid asked.
"Now, after my pregnancy, I don't have any ill feelings towards Nur Jahan. She is just a liability to my Shah. She must have known that she holds no importance in our lives. Once our children come, he will forget that he even has a wife called Nur Jahan.
I think I should pay her a little visit and remind her that she no longer holds his heart, she was just an infatuation which is finished now. I might suggest her packing her bags to be shifted to that ruined Mahal.
"Meher, can you please give her a message that I will be visiting her before sunset."
The message was sent to Nur Jahan who was sitting with her foster mother.
" Why does she want to meet you, Nur? I don't think her intentions are any good. You should have declined her request Nur" Aimen Begum was worried.
" Don't worry Amma Jaan, I can bear her. Let me see what she has to say."
Later, Seema arrived at Nur Jahan's side of the palace
.
Seema was dressed in her finest clothes. She wore one of the necklaces from Nur's collection.
" What made you solicit your gracious presence here? " Nur asked her politely, looking at her old necklace.
" Beautiful, isn't it? It was made by the finest craftsman from Arabia. Shah himself made me wear this." Seema said proudly.
" Come to the point. " Nur was straightforward.
" Look, Nur Jahan, you must have known by now that you are at my mercy. I can throw you out if I wish"
Nur clenched her teeth but kept quiet. She has grown a lot. Her patience level increased.
" You are destined to be deserted. So, instead of torturing yourself further, move out of this place." Seema taunted her.
" Ask your beloved to divorce me. I had already given him the notice " Nur Jahan did not display any emotion except disgust.
Seema was shocked "so this is a new way to gain Shah's attention. Listen carefully, you don't stand a chance. "
Before she could say further, she got a fainting spell.
Nur immediately caught her. At the same time, Shazeb entered the chamber. He rushed to Seema holding her in his arms.
" My queen Seema, are you alright?"
" Nur wanted to push me" Seema lied.
"Nur Jahan" he shouted with rage.
He just turned and slapped Nur Jahan hard on her face.
- Writer
