NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~ Thread 5~CHAPTER 10 - Upd 10th JULY - Page 123

Dear Lash darling😛..one more wonderful chapter...u really deserve a very big round of applause for one more amazing work👏..I have always loved all ur Oss, then NJAPA was or is even now, one of the best creations in the forum so far...and now again this historical...I just keep wondering , how can u even think abt the such enchanting plot and then develop it oh so smoothly..not kidding , Lash, but both ur FFs NJAPA and HBTS will be top on bestseller's charts...way to go...👏👏

So back to chap 10...

Whether it was fear or embarrassment, the maids quickly shifted their attention towards the work that lay ahead, trying to avoid what they assumed was going to be an imminent encounter with Khan Sahib and his men.

But as they dreaded, the men had approached the garden's fences and stopped their stallions not far from it - with the businessman stationed at the centre.

'Salaam... Sahiba...' they nodded

Heera nodded in reply.

After the awkward greeting, there was a pause that was even more awkward. So, the heiress returned to whatever it was she'd been doing before the interruption, and her maids followed suit.

Now this is bit surprising..she just nodded to their greetings..no pranaam , no salaam... Why suddenly she is silent while greeting😕...she was quite witty, rather open enough just a night before while greeting him in her native language, even clever enough in trying to judge him and she is not the one to show the unnecessary attitude... so is it coz she is not comfy with his friends around???

And more than that, all his friends seem to know the real "Sahiba", if they r greeting her...they r they aware of her disability?? And does Heera know that???is that the reason behind her silent behavior that is much contrast to her character???😕

Anyway, back to ur AMK...whether he likes it or not, whether he agrees or not , this man is falling hard for the "Diamond" (Heera)...how much I wanted to call her "Kohinoor" , but the name reminds me of one certain Ben darling😡... so no.. Kohinoor better be forgotten... this Heera is way to sweet to be compared with some poisonous jewel😉...so AMK dropped in the garden to see what's happening to "his " beloved thing...really?? Was he really curious abt the transformation of his gardens, or was he more interested in a glimpse of certain fair hands and their owner...coz definitely he is sharp enough to know that the transformation won't happen in just less than 24 hrs, it would take atleast a week...so why so much curiosity???😕 Even his threat to Aziz seems to be half-hearted...and his friends know it so well and so the fun continues...

'Well...' Heera explained in a soft whisper, while plucking out a flower 'They're probably curious... because they might not be used to these new additions in their garden...'

Only if she knew the real reason behind his/their behavior..that the new addition is not just of the few plants in his gardens, but of someone special into his life , through many ways, like river, gardens, and later the Sherbet...that someone special, who is capable to break the walls AMK has built around him, without using any force...her innocence and purity is enough to bring that man to her feet...

OMG...AMK is annoyed by those maid's comments, when they indirectly call him unwelcoming...I m liking this character, Lashy..the way he enters that denial mode every now and then...seems he very well knows where his heart is leading him, it's just that something is there that is holding him back...else how he would know what will be Heera's next action and he reacting to it even before her??😛... (makes me remember Jalal in Amer track who wants to win Jo , but in his own Shehenshahi way)..😳

One more thing, is Aziz aware of the convo btw Heera and AMK abt the kid?? Why he chose Chanda to send that flower to Heera??and that too in AMK's name?? is he trying to get Heera's reaction/ feelings towards AMK??

And just how well Heera has started knowing AMK, that in a flick she understands that it's his friends doing and not his...the clever princess knows it so well that it's not a gift , and that one thought is enough for her to ask if there is some message with the flower...no wonder , the message pisses her off, as she is unnecessarily being subjected to the "fun" of "his" men , due to "her" maids stupidity😡...while the real master is mostly very much cordial/gentle with her after that river incident...

Must say Lashy, this chapter is a superb play of emotions👍🏼... specially of Heera...her innocence, her curiosity and the unknown attraction she feels towards the stranger, just goes on depicting the character of a 16 yr old ...and then that drastic realization of the dreadful truth of her life, where she has to give away the last thread of relationship with her sister... poor soul...how much heartbroken and lonely she must feel, though surrounded by so many known/unknown ppl ...

So what next?? Will AMK allow her to perform the final rites of Durga??? And will that bring out the real identity of the hidden princess? Or does he already knows her real identity??? Or just her name Harka??? What more he knows abt her besides her name and nature??

The last scene u have written abt AMK, thinking abt Heera and his feelings towards her, and with that some bitter truths feeling his mind and then his attempt to detach himself from Heera and her memories...again it reminds me of The Jalal who used to say " Dil nahi hai hamare paas" , just to hide his true feelings for Jo...is ur AMK following our Jalal??😉

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Dear Lashy and others,

Let me clarify myself. I made the first one easy and I knew everyone can guess the correct answer.

The last one, according to me, is only HBAS. Is not a short story, and is given in instalments of small doses. These small doses make the readers go 'berserk' in guessing who is who and what would happen and posting pictures and poems and all such things..Anyone can guess that the answer is opium or alcohol or whisky as seen obviously . And where does the opium come from in the story? I don't remember to have read about it. In fact it is my compliment to Lashy's story.

And the 4th one is about Heera's "Sweet sixteen" age. Did her age not grow with

her?😉

The fifth one is Durga. She disappeared after first 2 chapters, not to come back. Note the words "I'd gone" Yet we are still feeling her existence like we listen to the noise of thunder even after the lightning is gone. The forecast of downpour is the events consequent to her brutal killing, which we will ( or may ) be watching in the forthcoming chapters of he Novel.

My choice is the riddle for Heera's eyes!

Saraswathi periamma/aunty

Originally posted by: sweet_diksha

Dear Lash darling😛..one more wonderful chapter...u really deserve a very big round of applause for one more amazing work👏..I have always loved all ur Oss, then NJAPA was or is even now, one of the best creations in the forum so far...and now again this historical...I just keep wondering , how can u even think abt the such enchanting plot and then develop it oh so smoothly..not kidding , Lash, but both ur FFs NJAPA and HBTS will be top on bestseller's charts...way to go...👏👏

>>>> I just blushed... blusheder... blushedest!☺️

So back to chap 10...

Whether it was fear or embarrassment, the maids quickly shifted their attention towards the work that lay ahead, trying to avoid what they assumed was going to be an imminent encounter with Khan Sahib and his men.

But as they dreaded, the men had approached the garden's fences and stopped their stallions not far from it - with the businessman stationed at the centre.

'Salaam... Sahiba...' they nodded

Heera nodded in reply.

After the awkward greeting, there was a pause that was even more awkward. So, the heiress returned to whatever it was she'd been doing before the interruption, and her maids followed suit.

Now this is bit surprising..she just nodded to their greetings..no pranaam , no salaam... Why suddenly she is silent while greeting😕...

she was quite witty, rather open enough just a night before while greeting him in her native language, even clever enough in trying to judge him and she is not the one to show the unnecessary attitude... so is it coz she is not comfy with his friends around???

No attitude at all da... you've read too much into it... 😳it's 17th c.. not usual for men and women who have no connection (especially upper classes to be publicly greeting each other with cordial words)

When AMK Heera met, they were alone... they had a history only they shared... starting right from the canal to the 4 dams... and they actually had some business to discuss about.. .so it's normal to start off with a greeting before jumping into talk...

here she is with everyone... can't do that, can she? Cant make it appear like she and he have been connecting in 'odd' ways... 😉 her maids would go 😲

Something like when a girl and boy meet alone, they somehow strike a convo... but when it presence of others... they just nod or sometimes not even that... but it's understood between them! 😆

And more than that, all his friends seem to know the real "Sahiba", if they r greeting her...they r they aware of her disability??

It's been 6 days since they're staying there, Dikshu... by now they must have seen the 'Lady' as she occasionally steps out in the garden or comes out to perform rites etc etc.. why them... a few others in the town also must have heard of the 'Sahiba' by now...

besides easy to recognise na... she would be the only one in silk dressed with jewellery while the maids will be in cotton na..

And does Heera know that???is that the reason behind her silent behavior that is much contrast to her character???😕

Oy! Heera is always silent unless the need calls for it. (like to diffuse a situation e.g horse fair/forest) ..otherwise, she's not a chatterbox at all.. 😊

firstly, it wasn't considered manners for princess, heiresses.. to talk laugh in public etc.. in presence of unknown men

Even with her maids.. she only speaks when SHE feels she needs to correct them or there is something necessary to discuss about! She likes to listen very intently ... she thinks a lot too.. but doesn't get chatty.. 😆

Arre even in the serial, say if a guard came and nodded to Jo begum.. she'll only nod him and pass by na... not smile say 'Pranaam' and all... 😕

but yeah... she used to be chatty with Durga... and now, she's somehow finding herself chattier than usual with AMK 😉

Anyway, back to ur AMK...whether he likes it or not, whether he agrees or not , this man is falling hard for the "Diamond" (Heera)...how much I wanted to call her "Kohinoor" , but the name reminds me of one certain Ben darling😡... so no.. Kohinoor better be forgotten... this Heera is way to sweet to be compared with some poisonous jewel😉...

>>>. 😆

so AMK dropped in the garden to see what's happening to "his " beloved thing...really?? Was he really curious abt the transformation of his gardens, or was he more interested in a glimpse of certain fair hands and their owner...coz definitely he is sharp enough to know that the transformation won't happen in just less than 24 hrs, it would take atleast a week...so why so much curiosity???😕 Even his threat to Aziz seems to be half-hearted...and his friends know it so well and so the fun continues...

Not necessarilyy to see how much it's transformed.. its just curiosity that led there in the first place.. like when someone is constructing something in your place.. you stand by to watch for a few seconds... even if the construction has only just started na...

Of course, that led to him unwittingly being swayed by the beauty of her skills again... he knows she's partially blind and he is mesmerized by how her palms manage to work more gracefully (despite partial vision) than a person whose sight is normal...

'Well...' Heera explained in a soft whisper, while plucking out a flower 'They're probably curious... because they might not be used to these new additions in their garden...'

Only if she knew the real reason behind his/their behavior..that the new addition is not just of the few plants in his gardens, but of someone special into his life , through many ways, like river, gardens, and later the Sherbet...that someone special, who is capable to break the walls AMK has built around him, without using any force...her innocence and purity is enough to bring that man to her feet...

Yes 😳

OMG...AMK is annoyed by those maid's comments, when they indirectly call him unwelcoming...

Actually AMK was annoyed with himself there.. he wasn't even bothered by the maids and men arguments... wasn't even really listening.. he was annoyed that he'd been standing there for longer than he should have... just like heera later got angry with herself for not keeping a check on her emotions!

I m liking this character, Lashy..the way he enters that denial mode every now and then...seems he very well knows where his heart is leading him, it's just that something is there that is holding him back...else how he would know what will be Heera's next action and he reacting to it even before her??😛... (makes me remember Jalal in Amer track who wants to win Jo , but in his own Shehenshahi way)..😳

Oh yes.. they both can read each other very well!😳

But you know Dikshu... though the denial might seem like a college boyish denial now.. its not true.. he is very wise..and he knows this is not right for him and her... he's playing it safe by staying away...

One more thing, is Aziz aware of the convo btw Heera and AMK abt the kid?? Why he chose Chanda to send that flower to Heera??and that too in AMK's name?? is he trying to get Heera's reaction/ feelings towards AMK??

If Akbar is helping those kids, and Ibrahim/Azeez/Sayyid are his friends, they would also know those kids na.. 😳 and men themselves cannot go and give flowers etc.. so he sent a child he knew to do it.. 😆

BUT Chanda messed it up.. Azeez wanted to teach the maids a lesson... so he must have told Chanda 'Don't take my name ...just give the flower...'

Chanda didn't know what to say... so, she said it's from AMK's meadows

and everyone assumed its from AMK...

No no one apart from AMK Heera know about their history conversations.. 😉

And just how well Heera has started knowing AMK, that in a flick she understands that it's his friends doing and not his...the clever princess knows it so well that it's not a gift , and that one thought is enough for her to ask if there is some message with the flower...no wonder , the message pisses her off, as she is unnecessarily being subjected to the "fun" of "his" men , due to "her" maids stupidity😡...while the real master is mostly very much cordial/gentle with her after that river incident...

Must say Lashy, this chapter is a superb play of emotions👍🏼... specially of Heera...her innocence, her curiosity and the unknown attraction she feels towards the stranger, just goes on depicting the character of a 16 yr old ...and then that drastic realization of the dreadful truth of her life, where she has to give away the last thread of relationship with her sister... poor soul...how much heartbroken and lonely she must feel, though surrounded by so many known/unknown ppl ...

You've outlined this very well Dikshu 👏 esp the bolded... actually the misunderstanding wrt the flower led to Heera realising that she might be getting quite distracted...

and for first time AMK realises he's facing similar problems too..

So what next?? Will AMK allow her to perform the final rites of Durga???

Has he stopped her for anything that he'd stop her for something as important as this? 😊 her maids have changed poora naksha of his guest house and he's said nothing na 😆 beside asthi visarjan is done in river/temple na.. 😳

And will that bring out the real identity of the hidden princess? Or does he already knows her real identity??? Or just her name Harka??? What more he knows abt her besides her name and nature??

The last scene u have written abt AMK, thinking abt Heera and his feelings towards her, and with that some bitter truths feeling his mind and then his attempt to detach himself from Heera and her memories...again it reminds me of The Jalal who used to say " Dil nahi hai hamare paas" , just to hide his true feelings for Jo...is ur AMK following our Jalal??😉

AMK Jalal completely different paths completely different reasons.. for Jalal it was just ego...

here AMK has no ego towards Heera.. he has very legitimate reasons for that self-rage and denial! 😉

Thanks so much da.. and yes, I noticed the 'darling' at the start... hee hee

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Dear Lashy and others,

Let me clarify myself. I made the first one easy and I knew everyone can guess the correct answer.

The last one, according to me, is only HBAS. Is not a short story, and is given in instalments of small doses. These small doses make the readers go 'berserk' in guessing who is who and what would happen and posting pictures and poems and all such things..Anyone can guess that the answer is opium or alcohol or whisky as seen obviously . And where does the opium come from in the story? I don't remember to have read about it. In fact it is my compliment to Lashy's story.

😆 We were just leading morcha outside exam hall in hope of getting extra marks, periyamma..

And the 4th one is about Heera's "Sweet sixteen" age. Did her age not grow with

her?😉

The fifth one is Durga. She disappeared after first 2 chapters, not to come back. Note the words "I'd gone" Yet we are still feeling her existence like we listen to the noise of thunder even after the lightning is gone. The forecast of downpour is the events consequent to her brutal killing, which we will ( or may ) be watching in the forthcoming chapters of he Novel.

My choice is the riddle for Heera's eyes!

>>> I agree... 😒

Originally posted by: cute.manasi

its during ruqs fake pregnancy drama...where jalal was discussing with atgah sahab about the whereabouts of dacoits who attacked , when he was accompanying jodha to temple & orphanage .

Originally posted by: -AkDha.Lover-

The army, the axe, and the pic...all three suit the storyline very well. Great job Payal! 👏

PS : Only that in the pic, it isn't actually a stranger she's hiding behind! 😉😆

Originally posted by: alffim

When Akbar will know the details of the death of Durga, this will be his personal vendetta to Khalil, not only because he will be in love with Heera. It is impossible for him to leave such evil unpunished

Originally posted by: lashy

You are spoiling me, periyamma... just like an aunt would spoil her niece...😳

Originally posted by: lashy

Sandy, Chellam and Shagun missed it 😭 I'm certain I would have beaten them all... 😭

Originally posted by: cute.manasi

shagun...🤗