months were passing.
Jija-bai woke up early in the morning, she would bathe, and pray in the temple. she would finish these activities until sunrise.
after that, she would spend some time with Lakshmi-bai in the kitchen. she would have a meal after reading religious scriptures and perhaps a nap at noon. she would go for walks in the evening. she went to the 'Shirvai' shrine once in two-three days. she would always walk to the shrine ignoring the advice of Vishvas-rao to travel in a palanquin.
it had been four months since Jija-bai had arrived at the fort.
Jija-bai was sleeping in her palace at noon. Lakshmi-bai was sowing something on the floor. the maid was messaging Jija-bai's legs. Lakshmi-bai asked.
"Your ladyship."
"Lakshmi-bai, don't call me 'Ladyship' like outsiders. we are equals, call me 'Jija' from now on."
"affections are there but how can I forget my status?"
"you just won't listen... what were you asking?"
"would you like to have something specific to eat?"
Jija-bai laughed. "Truth be told. Lakshmi-bai, I don't feel like having anything specific. to ride a horse, keep a sword at the waist, feel the chilly wind of the fort, and look at the scenery from the top of the fort. fate has fulfilled all my desires as it is.
Lakshmi-bai laughed. completing her sewing work as she stood up. Jija-bai asked.
"leaving?"
"have rest. take a nap. you will feel better."
"truth is, I can't sleep at this time of the day nowadays."
"Why so?"
"He's playing." Jijau said while caressing her stomach.
at evening, Jija-bai, Lakshmi-bai, and some maids were going to take a walk. at the entrance, servant Vithu appeared.
"Vithu, what happened?" Jijau asked.
"your ladyship, are you going toward Takmak?"
"yes."
"please head towards the west."
"why?"
"a criminal has been sentenced to death by beheading. the execution is about to begin."
"who's the poor soul?"
"I do not know, your ladyship. all the ways toward Takmak have been sealed. so I reported hurriedly."
"Vithu, go as you are and tell Vishvas-rao that I have asked for him."
"Ji" Vithu said and left.
when Vishvas-rao arrived he had old Hanumante with him. both bowed."
"Vishvas-rao! who's beheading has been prepared today?"
"Who told your ladyship?"
"that's not important. but is it true?"
"yes, your ladyship. a person stole one kilogram of grains yesterday."
"beheading just for that?"
"your ladyship, there is a famine going on. if such thievery keeps happening then the already bad situation will become impossible."
"It's your rule, it would not be appropriate if I were to interfere. but, Vishvas-rao, if our subjects don't have food then isn't that our fault as well? no one wants to become a thief willingly."
"what are your orders, milady?"
"no orders, only a request. until I am here do not behead anyone."
"as your wish." vishvas-rao left after saying.
Hanumante said. "Milady, the poor soul was saved because you were here. the credit goes to Vithu."
Jija-bai looked at Vithu. Vithu said with hesitation. "no, milady. he told me when the thief was brought yesterday, he was crying. Hanuman said that if someone were to inform milady then the poor soul will be saved."
Jijau laughed. and said. "and so you told me? see, Lakshmi-bai, our people are quite scheming."
Jija-bai turned back and went towards the lake. she sat at the lake lakeside after arriving. the mansion looked like it was reaching the sky. after bowing towards the setting sun she returned to the mansion.
at the gate of the mansion, someone came ahead like an arrow and kowtowed on the ground before anyone knew it. Vithu hurriedly made the person stand. Long hair, sunken eyes, and a very ragged face. the man was crying. words weren't coming out. Vithu said.
"This is the man, who was sentenced to death."
"don't steal again, have faith in God." Jija-bai said.
-and she went inside. Vishvas-rao was standing in the hall. Jijau said with a smile.
"Vishvas-rao, you did well by releasing that man. he was crying tears of happiness."
"Ji." Vishvas-rao said.
Jija-bai shuddered after realising the serious atmosphere.
"what happened, vishvas-rao?"
"your ladyship, the news isn't good."
"tell, do not waste time."
"the lord rebelled by capturing Bijapurkar's territory. that's why Bijapurkar's had sent Murar Jagdevala to Pune city. mansions were burned. Holi was played with blood. they raised the city to the ground."
"a-and Swari¹?" Jija-bai muttered. her throat went dry.
"We received word that the lord is safe. he is somewhere near the Faltan region."
Jija-bai wiped her sweat. she said.
"Vishvas-rao, fate has turned. what can we do about it? at least we are safe here. good in bad, this is it."
Vishvas-rao left after bowing... Jija-bai's restrained tears spilled out.
Lakshmi-bai was trying to console her.
the news never comes just once. Jija-bai hadn't recovered from the first news yet another came : Shahaji-raje's cousin, Kheloji Bhosle's wife had gone to Godavari River but Mahabat Khan abducted her. Jija-bai's heart was in turmoil because of this news. she even had no wish to go for prayers at the shrine anymore.
Vishvas-rao, Naro Trimal, Gomaji Paansambal,
Hanumante, etc. were always worried. Gomaji Pansambal was from her 'Maher' ( Maher means mother's house after marriage )
as an elder, he would advise and inform Jijau about certain things. but even his words had no use consoling Jijau. Lakshmi-bai would try different ways to distract her mind. all these people who were trying their best to console her suddenly one day went silent. Lakshmi-bai who would always smile around Jijau for some reason or another was now trying to hide from her gaze. servants started to walk heavily. Vishvas-rao who would always extend the conversation was now having small talks. Jija-bai had realised this but couldn't make anything of it. one day she couldn't take this behavior and so she asked for Vishvas-rao.
"Vishvas-rao..."
"Ji, Milady."
"We did not come here for a stay just because of our relationship. you are like an elder brother to me, that's why we came."
"yes, I know that."
"then what are you trying to hide from me?"
"Nothing, your ladyship." Vishvas-rao said hurriedly. "who said so?"
"is there any need? no one speaks clearly past two days."
"you're Misunderstanding something. Milady."
"Vishvas-rao, I too have seen a lot of this world. I have faced some hardships as well. if you are not willing to tell, then I will not stay here even for a moment."
"But, milady."
"Do not be afraid, this Jijau has suffered many things. no matter the news, I have the resolve to handle it. but it's hard to keep guessing like this. do tell..."
"Milady..."
"Speak!"
Vishvas-rao started sobbing.
"Vishvas-rao, stop this sobbing. Jija-bai leaned on the wall while standing up and ordered. "speak."
"your lord father, Lakhuji-rao Jadhav has been murdered."
"Murder? Father's murder? who did it?"
Jija-bai was looking at Vishvas-rao with wide eyes. Vishvas-rao couldn't find words. he said.
"Lakhuji had gone to visit the Sultan of Daulatabaad in his court. the plot had been brewed, but he had no idea. he went with his sons, Achloji, Ragoji, and Yashvant-rao. They bowed but Sultan stood up and left the court. he did not know what this meant. and then..."
"Speak, Vishvas-rao. do not stop for a moment."
"... and then swords were raised. there wasn't even any chance of resisting. and all alone, how could they resist? Milady, four Jadhav's met their demise in Sultan's service. Bahadur who stayed with his mother is safe. your brother-in-law Jagde-rao was below the fort, so he was saved as well."
Vishvas-rao raised his head. Jija-bai was leaning on the wall like a statue. eyes widen. resigned smile on her face. hopeless words were ringing in Vishvas-rao's ears.
"Father is gone! my home is gone! our own people raised our Pune city to the ground on behalf of the outsiders. in the servitude of those we are in, they abduct our daughters! and the shoulders on which the Sultanate had risen, Jadhav's were murdered in that Sultanate's court!
-Jija-bai screamed suddenly.
"Vishvas-rao, is there really God in this world?"
Jija-bai who was leaning on the wall started to collapse, Vishvas-rao lend a hand but she was already Unconscious. the mansion went into uproar.
at midnight, the sound of sobbing could be heard in the mansion.
1 - 'Swari' is a word for Husband