ArHi FF:4:The BEASTS and the BLEEDING ROSES - Page 8

Sweetie I am at the INN - where are you???😕

Rabba Ve everyone!! *spreading arms wide**box of sweets from my hold fall to the ground and sweets scatter**Arushi's little monkeys are all over the floor picking them up before human hands retrieve them*

I'm back! For those who want to know how my exams were. Quite fun! I mean, I have never had such stress-free, fun-to-attempt set of papers in my entire life. There were three papers and I had the time of my life loving the way the exams were materialised. Though the questions were dead hard and impossible to conquer rightly, and though the heat in the afternoon was working on my optimisms, I was smiling down at the questions and am looking forward to try the same battle again if I must! But its weird but something tells me I will win it alright! Anyway, I'm happy to be back at the Inn and at the Cottage in Arhasia and well...

Happy New Year 2013!!

Sona: Hm. Suspiciously the lottery winner of this thread's 'ace' box is yet to unreserve. I know you have also a comment box reserved in the 149^th page of the last thread (3^rd one) and though I do not know why you must reserve when I am willing to wait as long as I need to, I am still eagerly watching out to see if you will find time and mind to come and "unres" the lonely boxes soon...

Sia: Have I told you I want you to make the very first comment in my every FF thread? I have? Yes, I have. It is simply because in my timid attempt to make this FF be born, I had gently slid the Prologue into the Sea of Posts in the Forum and look who found my innocent fish first: you! Yes, because you were the first one to "like" and "comment" on my FF in its very first step, you, my lady, deserve the first place in every thread. And yes, then you may vanish into your busy world as long as I see your winking "likes" under every update...

Anjs: Thanks for the wishes, dear! And thanks for the sweet words of appreciation. Will keep them safe in my heart! *wink*

Arushi: Oh yay! You and your lil' fellas really need a signature entry! When you guys walk into the Inn, every face brightens up and some of our Comrades rush to cuddle the eager lil' fellas themselves! And about your comments: they are simply as adorable as you are, Arushi! And all that you said you are waiting to see will come for you. In their right time!

SilverFairy: Nici! It's so good to see you here dear! How are you? I'm glad you are loving the chapters so far. And fear not, all is well in Arhasia.

Farwa: You know, dear Farwa, the gifs and images you gifted me are not only a reflection of your joy but my eager delight in having commenced the Fourth Thread. I never thought, in my wild dreams, that I would actually make it to the Fourth. You do remember, right, that my first thread itself has almost 82 chapters? If the trend was kept on, calculations would deem the 120^th chapter to be in the Second Thread because the second thread will include till the 164^th chapter! Oh and Farwa, I simply love reading your honest thoughts to a chapter. And as to that question you asked in the end: wait for it, dear. There is still a long way to go for this tale!

March: Your appearances are always a warm treat dear and look! I've come here to get your wishes for New Year just like you said you wanted to! And dear March, if you want a sister, look around you. You never know: maybe you might find just the right 'soul-sister' among the ones in this Inn! *wink*

Lyraa: Lyraa!! The Wizard of Words with magic in everything she writes...I always have my own little "dhak-dhak"s when I see you here, Adi!!

RockingSoni: Dear! You had a rocking cup of coffee with the update! And I'm being treated by the Warm Love in your words every time you come!

Tanya: Ah, well deserved indeed, dear Tanya. But not for me. For readers like you...So good to know you are fine, dear!

Darya dear: Yes, it's been long since I addressed you so coz it's been long since I addressed anyone in my FF threads! So, how are you dear Darya? Hope you are doing well. And I am glad you are loving the tale!

NiksAngel: You are happy and I am happy too! Congrats to us all, indeed, dear Niks!

Bumble_bee: Among the many dear readers of mine, who simply do not have time to comment anymore, you are in the Top 5 List. How are you, dear Bumble? You doing well and safe there? I hope you are. Missing you a lot.

Saomom: And here comes the lady of the season! Well, the Season of Stalking, I mean. I know there are others who stalk simply coz my silences are disturbing but I've known you to be quite a persistent stalker, really! I don't know if anyone will come who will beat you in this feat but I assure you, you own the Crown for being the best one till the now! Ah, yes, and should I say how your love for Mr Armitage makes it impossible for me to not notice him in movies if ever I see in the rare ones I get time to watch. Saw Captain America last week and blimey! Though a short role and though a villainous one, I was totally chuckling, thinking, "Oh, Miss T's boy is here!"

Allzwell: Ah! Another of my 'missing readers'. Allzwell! Pleasant surprise indeed to see you here! And whoa! Don't you worry about that Jha. We'll let him play for a while and then bam! We'll catch him with the Lordy Trap, what say?

Samster: Uh-huh!*nods* I know you have not commented after that first few comments but I am so happy to see you visit the Inn just when I opened the New Thread. And yes, my boy is in denial alright. Whack his head and scream into his ears that he's falling in love. But no. He'll still stand there like the oak tree and not care how the creeper climbs all around him to the topmost branches! Yow! Me really Hyper, eh? Penning symbolism in my pre-notes?

RusselKushi: Tempting idea you have put across in your comment, dear. Why not kill the Vicious Villain off at War? No one will suspect it was murder on the part of the writer coz he is a soldier and soldiers are prone to dying in the many gory battles they face. I really must say, the offer is tempting and my hands would love to do him off. But sorry, dear, he is important to me. You will see why when it is time...

Sara: Hey there dear! I hope you feel better now. I am worried for just like how I am worried for kushipugly. Two people in the Inn who simply CANNOT heal the wounds of having lost the show to History. But Chelo! At least History is written in Gold and I assure you, IPKKND will be talked off in schools as the Classic Art of the Contemporary Times and there will be dissertations and exams conducted on its potentials and earlier potencies!

Kvarsha: Hey dear! Glad you could make it. And yes, I am surprised that you all find Lady Anjali's knowledge of the curse an interesting news...Hm.

NeevanKrish: Thank you dear for the wishes and for the concern. It really is sweet to hear from you!

Anusada: Beautiful DP, dear Love the beauty of solitude depicted in it! Thanks for taking care of my MainForum post. I was so delighted to see you take an active participation along with the Other Comrades to fill in my absence, Hope your exams went well, dear. Ah, loved your comments especially your fav lines and your own little in-depth thought of Lord Arnav and the necklace. And shall I say, your guess of the gathering gist is bang on right!

Saga_twilight: Yes dear, Lord Arnav recognized the General that night which is why he whispered his Di's name and then was moody the next day. And thanks for the wishes for my egg-jams! Made bulls-eye with the egg and licked the jam off the spoon!

Subiscs: Hey again dear! Hope you are well. Thanks for your love for my New Thread! And glad I could make in time to treat to your "intrigued" state!

Mavs: You. Do. Gifs. And. They. Rock. *wink* How do you do, Lady Em? What have you been up to, eh? I've heard that someone of my Comrades had fooled that poor InnKeeper of ours and earned an extra cup of hot chocolate just saw the news wouldn't spread that he had been followed by a young girl. Hoping it was the mischievous you! *frowns suspiciously*

Yush: Love you lyrics and Adore your words here! You ask will Anjali do something to get these two back again? Well, she is always the reason why these two will never part! Go Anjali, go! And soory dear, the new update has only one of our soulmates...

Vidya: Hugs for your love and regular visits, Vidya dear! Yup, our lordy stubborn as always! *sigh*

Hellgirl: RabbaVe dear! Not everyone in this thread starts their comments like that...I am so glad to know you care to do it! So sweet of you. Did you get the special pigeon today? The one with the blue feather? And yes, the tale is getting interesting...I'm interested too to see how this proceeds!

Chochoo: Hope you are well in body and mind now.

Crinklez: So nice of you to come visiting, dear! How are you? It's great to see you are still loving the tale and happy with the way it is proceeding...

Debby: Hey there dear! How are you this fine day/night? Loved your firstly, secondly and thirdly. Really caring of you!

Dhrashtee: Well dear, you are the only one who confessed Kushi's imagination to be 'wild'! *chuckle*

Indiavizion: well, you reinterpreted the famous saying, didn't' you? In terms of Arshi? Nice! More like distance makes the heart grow more confused with the turth...Hope you are well, IV.

ShrutiPandey: Your Aqua is back! Told you, you are the only one presently who calls me that. And whoa! Cellphones in the mediaeval era? You really want me to come up with bloopers? *wink* And oh, the transformation "thingy" will be given hints here and there. Pick them up as they come and then try an connect the entire thing!

Gayatri: You feel for the lordy, dear? That's sweet of you. Yes, poor him! And as to that question of yours: yes, dear, they DO know about the transformations.

Bablio: Hey bablio! Or babi as Shas calls you! How was Christmas celebrations? Hope you had a great time! And did you know, my Guardian Angel is the one I have always prayed to be my guide from my childhood onwards and for you to mention it here is like...coincidence? Or divine connection? And yes, thanks for the prayers dear. He was with me all the time! And I guess the key words of the last update is what you wrote: "awareness of the transformation" of the General.

Shas: How are thee, my dearest? So understand why you cannot expand more. But I think you are expanding unconsciously though consciously you restrict yourself and write less. But did you know, in the less you write, the echo of the deep thoughts still...and I must say, I am touched how your smart little eye catches these things! Oops! Et tu? You too felt surprised at knowing they knew of Lordy's transformations? I thought it would be obvious. Hm. Need to check my "In The Shoes Of The Readers Scope". Its smaller than a telescope so I need to remember where I put it first! And by the way, love your pictures and love your heart at seeing the "exceptional" in the Arnav-Anj bond! Sorry about showing the rituals only as passing information. It was just that they needed no focus. Yet. And mark that word "yet", darling.

BublyKushi: Glad I had the heart to name you too, dear! Happy New Year!

Revathy: I always look forward to your comments! Quite cheery like you. Your first line is right on the line. And well, Arnav is also blind and stupid when it comes to certain matters of the heart...*wink*

KA: Waiting for you to Unres what you have "res"ed in this Thread. Read what you "unres"ed in the other thread which Shas pointed out here. I must say, I fell in love with your words and thoughts there. I want to give you a hug for that awesome depiction of those two chapters! Do send me the links if you ever plan to unres any more "res"s!

Flowers4u: Short take on all that happened is what you gave, dear. And I am so happy to know you liked it!

Shikha: Hi dear! How is your young heart? Happy and smiling as it should be? And Shyam struck the plank of "curiosity" in you? I must say, he is becoming really good in awakening different kinds of emotions in the readers!

Angeldream: How is your story of the DT going, dear? I am sorry I don't have time to read any other works other than my own now! So glad to know you make time to come meet me!

Hoopoe: Goodness! Hoopoe! What WAS that? Astonished I was! And happy tears in my eyes...You totally-I am now-We are all-I have no words to-I am speech- Okay! Deep breath! Hoopoe. That was a masterpiece! Where in the world were you when the show aired with the symbolic streak intact? You could have made dozens of analysis posts and won many hearts by your way with words! Ah! *clutches heart* Your thoughts, your truth, your depth, your quotes, your grandeur...is there anything else in that post I have fallen in love with and cannot word? Going to read it again! And again! And again!!

Shamin: Better late than never! *nods* But I will understand if the late is really very late too, dear. I miss a lot of readers lately because there were some who were really dear to me when the FF had not many readers (only 10-15 readers) and those dear readers are not all here now. So missing them...But coming to you: Love that you love Shashi and that you are finding the proceedings interesting! Hope you will find time to read the updates even if you won't find time to comment, dear Shamin.

Bewuster: I see. You could have asked if you didn't understand, dear. We would all be glad to help. Yes, the intruder in the night was Shyam undoubtedly and the rest of the scenes had his questionable intrusion lingering...Ask if you have anything to clear, dear. And we will gladly be there to make you understand. You rock too, Bewuster!

Starfire: Hey there dear! How is everything in your part of the world? Its okay if you can't make it to the Inn, dear. When it comes to Arhasia, I am willing to wait as long is takes to find my readers come to me...you must know that. And yes, I am glad you are taking time to work on your exams.

Peepli: Hey dear! Long time no see! Hope all is well in your family and in your happy heart! I am aim to relive IPKKND and immortalise it in its best potential through this FF. Glad you feel it too!

Music: S!!! You are back! How wonderful? How was Bahamas? And how is the dear family? Had a great time I believe! I am so happy for you! And I am doubly happy you are back! As to your thoughts mentioned here, some I will cleverly overlook and not add answer to in public. Yes, I suppose I am showing a little of the past in the tiniest ways possible through each update but the big cake will be brought only after the smaller cakes are over...

Ayaat: Hye dear! Glad you could come by. I suppose your sibling relationships are quite fun and filled with mischief and play, eh? Well, so happy you are liking the tale so far. Looking forward to seeing you at the Inn when you can make it here!

Harsh: You are your happy smile! Was waiting for you! How are you, Harsh? I never asked: did the collab between you and Lyraa finished its course? Did you do it till its last chapter? It's always such a surprise to me when writers come to read my little tale. And Mav's a writer too...

fffan123: I remember you best as Farwa's friend. How are you dear? I am glad you can make it to this Inn every time I come for a narration. Glad to know you like it too...

Bea-rom: Its good you spend some wonderful time with your family for Christmas! I am always glad to hear when my readers go to visit family or even when they take some time off for studying. It shows a great deal of dedication to living life than to being obsessed with a fictional world...it's a mature action, really which I fail utterly in. Glad to see you back, dear!

Soul: Your comments on the chapters till 119 were fantabulous! I can simply not tell you how much I look forward to your heart-spoken comments. You not only tell me your feelings and your thoughts but also appreciate me for my language and the thought behind my writing mind! I am always overwhelmed by your love dearest Heta! Shas has commented on yours in much the way I would have wanted to, but I am now short of time to give detailed comments as such. But you must know, the love Shas has for your comments, cannot surpass the love I have for them! And about the "Shashi's amazement" thing: I admit, I was at fault there. I do not know why the Lady in the Dark Hood would make me use that word and even after editing the chapter, she still did not make me change it...But be assured of this, this is not my first blooper. There are many there which can be easily found if you look for it. Its because I am writing this chapter by chapter. Instead, if the story was written entirely and then I was giving it you, then it would be a polished, well-edited, well-connected, well-rechecked piece of art. But because I write as it comes, sometimes what I intended does not match with what I intended before...My bad! Will try to more careful next time. Okay-jee?

And finally a big hello to dearest Jonashi who is the proud member of the Circle, the only one who dedicatedly signs her name at the end with that "CAC" tag. I will see happy when I see it. You are a star, you are, Jo! And yes, 120 chapters and miles to go before I sleep, indeed! You don't have a sister? Come find a sister among us Comrades, dear! Possessing and Proud Payal and Curse-Aware Anjali but she hasn't caught the latest hot news that her hubby dearest has not been in his humanly skin every night or so. *wink* And oh my whowa- woo! What you wrote at the end, asking for the others to decode. Did anyone see that? Hope they did! The key is not under the sand for the wind blows...

Varshapan, Hate_Love, casker, Archu, girlz-rule, Lily2011, Surya.Ravi: Thank you dears for all your wishes, love and care. Congrats to all of you, too, for commencing the new Thread and many wishes for the New year to come!

Welcoming New Reader grrrpinderx3!!.(How many "r"s are there in your name, dear?) I can't believe she killed her sleep to get to the end of the story! Hai Re, Nandakishore! *slaps forehead* Her parents are gonna get me by the collar if they find out!

Alrighty! Here is the New Year Chapter with the New Year wishes!

Chapter One Hundred Twenty One: That Which is Decisive

The silence in the living room was too perturbing as the entire family sat in the armchairs before the huge fireplace, and the only obvious sound was that made by the butler pocking the firewood with the tongs in his hand. Even the white parrot perched upon the head of Nani's armchair was stiff as a mannequin.

"What is it, Nani?" asked Lord Arnav finally breaking the entreating silence, "Why do you keep us here in this late hour?"

Nani cast her glance at him. He stared at her expressionlessly. She looked a lot more younger and stronger at heart lately, especially after she had begun stepping out of her room and polishing her title as 'Lady Mother' in action. It was as though she was trying to live up to Kushi's dreams now that the young girl was no longer there to prod her on in her reluctance.

"You know, very well, why I called you here, Chotey. The very reason why you had become infuriated upon poor Miss Kushi one night ending up with the dreadful decision of throwing her into a dungeon."

Lord Arnav clenched his fists on the armrests of his armchair, "Does this have to do with heragain?"

"No," said Nani, "This has to do with the questioned need for Lady Lavanya's stay here."

Lord Arnav looked at Lady Lavanya who was sitting in the armchair next to him. She was staring fixedly at the floor, but sensing his gaze on her, she looked up.

"Why must I stay here if I have a home of my own?" she said to him, reasonably, "Your family is really wonderful and I can only value with gratitude the days I've spent here but I see no need to stay any longer."

"I brought you here for a reason," he stated.

"Which is?"

He looked at his sister who was watching him curiously, "For my sister who insisted I get married."

"Really?" said Lady Lavanya, "And is this marriage?" she waved her hands between her and him.

"It is my kind of marriage, yes," he nodded proudly.

"What sort of benefit comes out of this marriage?" she asked, and all eyes turned to Lord Arnav.

He frowned, "The benefit of convenience."

"It seems so to you, I am sure," said Lady Lavanya, "But for a woman...love and, later, an offspring to keep one's name, are the sought fruits of marriage which will actually be termed as "profits" or "benefits" in your vocabulary."

"I need no love nor children," he said distastefully, looking away.

"Then tell me what you seek from this 'marriage'?" she asked.

He looked at her, "Must I seek something?"

"Well, yes." She waited.

"Very well then," he said, "I seek silence from those insisting I get married."

"Is that all?"

"That is all."

"Then you should marry someone who does not seek more than silence and callousness in her marriage and I am certain you will find no such woman," said Lady Lavanya and Lord Arnav glared at her, "Are you telling me you wish to exempt yourself from this bond?"

"This is a bond of no sort and I have not entered it to be exempted from it," she stated.

He stood up, "You speak just like that rotten village girl. I should have known her 'handmaiding' would only worsen you! I had warned this beforehand but no one found it plausible." He looked at the others and said, "Well, behold your proof," pointing to Lady Lavanya, "A respectable woman destroyed by a village girl's bearings."

"Chotey!" Nani said, "You have come to speak so low of people that you forget you are sinking more into the filth of your own words."

"My words cannot affect me," said Lord Arnav, "But I am disappointed at what you have led Lavanya become: A woman craving for attention, for love." He grunted he last word as though he was disgusted to utter it.

Lady Lavanya stood up, "Then I shall leave, of course."

Lord Arnav said nothing.

Heartbroken and yet determined, she turned to leave but suddenly a hand held her wrist. She looked over her shoulder to find Lady Anjali holding her.

Still clutching Lady Lavanya's wrist, Lady Anjali, with a longing look on her face, glanced at her bother who was frowning fixedly at the blazing fireplace, "Chotey, since you have no plans to marrying her in the ritualistic way, she wishes to leave."

"She already said that," he said curtly, still looking away.

"But there is one last thing you must do before she leaves."

He looked at his sister, inquisitively.

Lady Anjali's sad eyes flared with firm purpose when she told her brother, "Apologize to her."

It was as though the room was a vacuum and all sound and breath were held back. Everyone stared at the spectacle before their eyes, shocked with regard to how Lord Arnav would take this, while Lord Arnav stared at his sister disbelievingly, and his sister stared back at him, holding Lady Lavanya's hand, who was looking at Lady Anjali, amazed and at a loss for words.

"Why?" Lord Arnav managed to utter at last, through gritted teeth, but also hurt by the fact that it was his own sister who was about to make him get angry before his family.

"For keeping her here against her will."

"I did not keep her against her will," refuted her bother, "She came here willingly and now she leaves on her own decision too."

"She came and now goes by her decision, I concede," nodded Lady Anjali, "But she did notremain in this Castle for herself."

"It was for you," said Lord Arnav to his sister.

"No, it was for you and it was wrong," said Lady Anjali, and then said once again, "Apologize to her, Chotey."

"I have never apologized to anyone in my life," he said, angrily.

"This time you will," said Lady Anjali,

"I will not," and he made to move for the stairs when Lord Manohar stood before him. The man calmly placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder, "Bitwa, do as your sister says for deep down you know you are in the wrong."

"I am never wrong, Mamaji," said Lord Arnav firmly and he respectfully, shrugged off his uncle's hand and moved towards the stairway. This time Lady Anjali released Lady Lavanya's hand and walked up to him and caught his hand, "Stop running away, Chotey. Be brave and apologize."

He frowned at his sister, "It is not bravery that is required to apologize but cowardice!" he growled, standing before the waiting stairs, "And I am not a coward!"

His anger at her, for insisting him against his demeanour, was so evident in his expression that his sister was astonished. And then before Lord Arnav realised what he had let his sister see, his face was overcome by a look of terror as his sister's hold on his hand slackened and her eyes rolled backwards as though she were about to faint.

"Di!" he yelled and pulled his sister securely to his strong chest, her limp forming leaning against him, as the shocked family on their feet, rushed to his side.

The next update will be made in this week but I cannot assure you of a date. Looking forward to reading your first-hand reactions to this New Year chapter!

To return to the INDEX

Yaaay!

Reserved!!
Happy new year lin n my all innwalliss!!

Happy NEWYEAR dear..!!!asusual chap was too Gud...keep writing!!!!!!!!!!

lovely update dear... Arnav learning to apologize...very curious to see how he does it...

rabbe ve my dear friend...wish u a happy new year and as always...amazing update

M back.Gosh I cannot tell u how i used to wake up in the middle of the night to read the updates coz if my mom would have seem me reading during the 10 days of the surgery she would have murdered me.
Anyays Wonderful update Lin.
So Arnav does not apologize,yes he needs to feel terrible guilt to apologize.
And what happened to Anjali?Looks like her illness will soften Arnav.
In last update loved the renactment of the payal through the missing Kushi's necklace.Arnav threw and then kept it!I am waiting for the day he returns the necklace.
Happy New Year everyone!