NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~Thread 10 - Chapter 15 - UPD 11th SEP

First Previous

Page

119

Next Last

Frequent Posters

.AkDhian.

@.AkDhian.

Voyager

Posted: 9 years ago

#141

Originally posted by: Sandhya.A

Chapter 8. Just read it before I started off with chapter 15.😊

BTW Lashy UAMK calls Heera by her name in chapter 8 too during their meeting in his study, not for the first time in the stables.🤓

Thank you,Sandhya di!😃

Quote

.AkDhian.

@.AkDhian.

Voyager

Posted: 9 years ago

#142

Originally posted by: lashy

It's Chapter 8 dear.. 🤗 thank you so so much!

Thanks akka..will read it today🤗

Quote

Looks like you are new here. Register for free, learn and contribute.

karkuzhali

@karkuzhali

Inactive

Posted: 9 years ago

#143

Let me first handle the younger of the twins, born a few minutes later...

Dear Shyamala,

I feel as if I am responding to your comments as I used to do for your analyses of rerun JA episodes .. in a way nostalgic though it wasn't very long time ago.

I am really very very happy to see the Shyamala I used to admire then..

The whole page is worth highlighting, but I have selected the passage I appreciate most..

Saraswathi Akka.

Chapter 15: A coup de maitre!!

Lashykanna,

Did I not say that you were a little witch? So now you have proved it anew, with a shocker of a twist that is beyond anything my imagination could have thought of. Or anyone else's here, I would imagine. Oh, what an unfair advantage the author enjoys! She can turn anything on its head any time she chooses.

But to be fair to you. my pet, you have not turned anything on its head. You have simply shaken the kaleidoscope, and the whole pattern has changed, though the pieces are the same. There is not the slightest cheating, for there were no misleading passages at all. In fact, there was actually very little that dealt directly with Akbar and his mission, so there was nothing that could be exasperatedly labelled a red herring or red herrings by those of your readers who can look beyond the Akbar-Heera angle to affairs of state and political intrigues.
@Bold: What a beautiful comparison!The last time she tilted the Kaleidoscope was when Mahendar was made to show his true colour..

Now I shall have to go back to that chapter about the European weapons and re-read that passage of arms between the Ustaad and Khalil, with the Shehzaade as the audience and the exasperated referee. But even before I do that, I am sure there were no telltale hints there, nothing like the cigarette ash- footprints kind of clues that Sandhya had collected re: Mahendar.

Exactly. That shows how the author has mastered the art of story telling. Always keeping the readers under grip, without allowing their mind to wander in unnecessary guesses..

It was all fair and square, only so ingeniously, devilishly clever. Truly a coup de maitre, a masterstroke. Something worthy of the specialists of spy fiction genre, Le Carre for choice, for in his smoke and mirrors world, no one and nothing is what he or it seems to be.

Lashykanna,for that,you get as many ovations and curtain calls as Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn did for their iconic Romeo and Juliet ballet! That was a record number, 27, if my memory does not fail me. I cannot even begin to tell you how delighted I am with you, child! Delighted, and proud too.

Yes.. All of us.

I was in fact surprised that you opened up your cards - not ganjifa cards!😉 - so soon, but then I realised that without your doing so, the terrible dilemmas that are going to confront Akbar could hardly have been raised and discussed at all.

But what a wicked little wretch you are, my pet! When I read the passage below, and came to the last line, my brain just froze as the true implication of that last little sentence sank in.

ANY thoughts on her? Well, he had plenty. Plenty of news and updates too that he could convey if he wanted to, as part of idle talk. After all, he'd stumbled across quite a few small facts about her over the past two weeks, which they hadn't known about at the start...

'I am blind... actually, partially blind!'

Everyone was in the same state of mind!

Marvellous, mischievous, but NOT misleading. 👏👏👏

But then you left me dangling, with deliberate, maddening cunning, while you went on and on about that stupidly treacherous Mahendar. If he actually thought that Khalil would have even tried to persuade the Shehzaade to go halves with him, Mahendar, from the revenues from the iron ore mines, he must be a fool or worse. Even Tej Raj is smarter. Enough of him; I do not want to wear my fingers out on such creatures. 😡

The whole session between the Shehzaade and Akbar needs a separate post in itself. It is so beautifully scripted, like a close fought game of chess, not ganjifa, without a single false note, psychological or mental, that I was moved to abundantadmiration.

Plus it is written even more beautifully, as the Shehzaade and the Ustaad both vie for the mental edge over the other - the former at times overtly, at times covertly, the latter diplomatically masking his advantage in the passage of arms, for that is what it really is, with a deliberate show of humility and loyalty. Lashykanna, you have hidden depths, and each time I check, the depth is only greater!

Very beautifully described Shyamala!

Now as the knife edge on which Akbar is walking has become all too clear - and who could have guessed that it would be so murderously dangerous? - I can see that my heart is, from now on, going to be more often than not in my mouth, ever on the lookout for the slightest misstep on his part that might prove fatal. No wonder Akbar 2 was so vociferous as he ranted at Akbar 1 the other night.

And Akbar 2 was not far wrong either, for the stakes are too high, and the consequences of what would be seen by the Shehzaade as betrayal by Akbar would be horrendous. Already, when Akbar, almost involuntarily, hides from his master the information about Heera's letters seeking support from fellow Rajput aristocrats and royals, he has taken a long stride closer to the edge of the precipice.

But then, as the French, who are so wise in matters of the heart, say, Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connait pas.The heart has its reasons, of which the mind has no knowledge. (It reads better in the original, because of the punning onraison, which can mean ;reason' and ;good sense' or 'intelligence' as well).

Lashykanna, it is very late, 1:11 am to be precise, and I am very tired. I have never before commented on any of your chapters as soon as it came out, all hot and steaming, from the oven, so to speak. But this time, it was different. I loved this one so much more than anything that had gone before, especially because its real triumph lies in what could be called the non-romance department, that I just had to do this take straightaway.

I loved the latter part as well, and normally I would have been delighted with my favourite Heera's conquest of my other favourite, Bahadur. Moreover, after the dizzying revelations and the coiled tensions of Part 1, the change of tone in Part 2 was perhaps necessary. But the impact of the earlier part lingers, and so the Akbar-Heera segment did not, for once, charm me as much as usual.

That, my pet, is not a failing on your part. It is in fact a major compliment to you for your coup de maitre in Part 1.

Shyamala Periyamma

Edited by sashashyam - 12 September 2016 at 12:28am

Edited by karkuzhali - 9 years ago

Quote

Durgeshnandini

@Durgeshnandini

Dazzler

Posted: 9 years ago

#144

That's splendid, Aunty! 👏

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

The story goes..

He goes to the war camp to meet
The shezada who was there to greet;
Who is he who is so close to the lord
But for the Ustad, who has mastered the fight with the sword?
Ustad is the man , a right hand to the Prince
The man who , also the officer of intelligence
Given the job of spying her
And the whereabouts of the Farmaan so dear

Lo! The author's brilliance seen in the scene
During the game of cards the two played between
When the Shezada asks him in words so straight
The latest about the heiress who took to flight
Ustad! a man trained by the Prince
And hence loyal to him , lies for once..
Hiding some facts he chose to prefer
With his heart full of thoughts of her..

Her statement keeps haunting his mind
"I am blind,..actually , ...partially blind!"
Oh!..What a twist to the tale so perfect
What a pleasant shock that no one did predict
When we find Ustad is none other than Akbar with the muzzle
Everything falls into its place like a jigsaw puzzle..
Does the prince notice his little pretension?
Will he trust him for his future retention?

The art of story telling reaches its pinnacle
In the creation of situations with the suspense to tackle
What a wonderful and suspenseful chapter
The author has given us in a platter
We waited like the impatient father
To see the face of the new born and gather
It in our arms and kisses we want to shower!
Ah lo! the baby is a bunch of beautiful flowers!

Karkuzhali

Quote

Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 9 years ago

#145

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Good Morning!

ooo Periyamma.. so today morning's breakfast is definitely Vrat only... no delicious pictures of food...😆

Enjoying the morning with the delicious breakfast, Chapter 15, served by Lashy!

1.The Suspenseful UAMK...

2. The Immaculate Heera...

.

3. Shyamala's Review...

4... and my coffee..

I can see (from subtly-hidden clues in all of your replies) that you've enjoyed this one... and I am both thankful and grateful for it.. 🤗

Quote

Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 9 years ago

#146

Originally posted by: rs_fun2
OMG! Lashy!!! What a kahani mein twist... Very well written and portrayed... I am sure it will only get more interesting and romantic from here on

Thank you Rachna... 🤗 thank you so so so much...

Quote

selvi1275

@selvi1275

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#147

But to be fair to you. my pet, you have not turned anything on its head. You have simply shaken the kaleidoscope, and the whole pattern has changed, though the pieces are the same. There is not the slightest cheating, for there were no misleading passages at all. In fact, there was actually very little that dealt directly with Akbar and his mission, so there was nothing that could be exasperatedly labelled a red herring or red herrings by those of your readers who can look beyond the Akbar-Heera angle to affairs of state and political intrigues.
@Bold: What a beautiful comparison!The last time she tilted the Kaleidoscope was when Mahendar was made to show his true colour..

Beautiful indeed...I'm stuck on these lines Aunty...

Quote

Soumya

@baubles

Dazzler

Posted: 9 years ago

#148

Heyyaaa akkaaa!!!! Back here after a while..🤗

So first things first, I'm never again believing you about anything related to HBS!

I had been right about the Ustaad the very first day and you made me edit that comment. I felt guilty for three whole days only because I had mistaken AKBAR's character and when I started reading this chapter and I saw that word Ustaad again, I felt terrible all over again. I'll never forget your How could you mistake Akbar' with the crying emo that you sent me. So basically, I'm on Cloud 93784587953 now!🥳

So, now that I'm mighty proud of myself for being right about MY AKBAR, let me tell you why I had assumed it the other day.

1. After all, this visitor was a man who knew more about weapons and warfare than all of his other generals put together. Serving on the battlefield until 2 years ago, this man's loyalty and expertise had been put to even better use ever since. He was now an appointed mentor, an 'Ustaad' - who recruited fresh trainees and coached them into becoming the fearsome warriors that the Shehzade's powerful army needed. A master of many arts and yet a man of few words, Ustaad reserved his compliments for the absolute best.

This kind of described a lot..the best knowledge of weapons, the kind of respect even even the Shehzade had for him, how highly he spoke of him and ofcourse- man of few words. These bits made me actually decide it was Akbar.

2. 'I'll sniff out the younger heiress... wherever she's hiding... and have that wretched lady delivered at your fee...' Suddenly, it came to a halt - both, his claims, and the hair-raising speed at which his battle-axe was descending down to toy with his next scapegoat's neck.

The immediate reaction at the mention of Heera and what he intended to do with her, he didn't even let him finish his line. Though Heera and Akbar were definitely not in a space they are now, she had struck him in a different since first sight, and his respect for her was never absent. He didn't react to Durga in the way he did once the younger heiress' was mentioned.

And ofcourse, his skill and expertise when he stopped Khalil.

So these lines made me conclude it was Akbar and trust me, I didn't even think there was another option. If I had had a doubt I wouldn't have commented so confidently.😆

I think what confused you in that comment was that I kept interchanging Ustaad' and 'Akbar' apne marzi se cos I had assumed them to be the same person.😆 Anyway, I ended up editing it completely and I'm not trusting you with HBS doubts again.😳

So, coming to this chapter, I wasn't that surprised about this Ustaad being Akbar..I had a 2 second reaction of just Oh Great!'. So the Shehzaade thought he would win a card game round with Mr. Perfecto...crazy I tell you! Where the Shehzaade tried to cheat, our guy notices intricate patters on the card..wins the game fair and square. So proud of him!😎

When I read the Shehzaade being a staunch follower of Islam, the first thought I had was What rubbish!' for the same reason Akbar asked about later. Islam doesn't support brutal killing and snatching a woman's dignity, which his most trusted man had done and gotten away with. (Akbar and I think so alike na). 😳The fact that he doesn't take pride in having mentored a monster like Khaial, however good a soldier he might be, says a lot about him.

How guarded is he of his Harka?! Over the last two weeks, he had noticed so many minute details about her and her character, with every meeting. Yet he doesn't reveal any of them to the Shehzaade. Ofcourse she caught him off- guard, that's how she is..one of a kind! The importance this assignment holds for him now as compared to when he was just starting off..such a vast difference! For the first time, someone had come between him and his duty.

He has somewhere deep down grown to care for this lady, protect her even though that's not what he's there for, keep her secrets as safe as he can and it's because of the kind of person she is..dignified, skilled,kind and strong. ❤️

He's definitely not letting this assignment out of his hands, and most definitely not to Khalil's men.😡

Should I be scared about the fact that the Shehzaade has noticed the change in Akbar, even tested it? Though he doesn't know what exactly it is as of now, sooner or later he'll find out..he's smart enough for that.

So the Shehzaade has done a lot for Akbar, the 13 year old tortured boy. Something makes me feel Akbar does all his work and is even ready to lay down his life for this man, more because he's indebted to him for everything he's made him into(though a lot of it is his will to learn, there's only so much that can be taught) and not because he actually looks up to him or has that kind of high regard for him. And here is another thing I'm proud of Akbar for..being in the Shehzaade's sangat for so long, he's turned out to be a much much better person who can differentiate between right and wrong and does what's right. He values people and lives. He has his heart in the right place.⭐️❤️ I pity that painter.

Can I ignore the Mahendar part? I would just like to kill him..wish it was legal. Seriously, his justification to what happened with Durga is that she didn't disclose the farmaan's whereabouts to him? Pathetic git! Let him try getting anywhere near Heera, when she comes to know the kind of person he is I hope he gets a sound slap.🤢🤢

Now coming to the unusual but appealing spectacle, you can't imagine how much I've wanted this! After Akbar- Bahadur, Akbar- Heera..how could Heera- Bahadur be left behind- The most adorable family! I can't even come to describe the scene. Bahadur and Heera absolutely enjoying each other's company, the affectionate petting , the treats from his new-found friend, the comfort level between the two..it was endearing.❤️❤️❤️❤️

Ibrahim catches the relief' in Akbar's voice and is puzzled as to why he hasn't revealed such important information to the Huzoor..it's all related to the Sahiba. He'll join the dots soon😳

Heera's silent Welcome Back' was so So he was in the get up your pic has..Her thoughts on having him back there made me go crazy..he breathed in life into the place!

And the greetings...well, he can't ignore her however much he tries na😆

And I laughed out loud at what followed..'Bahadur- The traitor!' He's like I loving an enjoying with my new friend and her treats for now, you can call and whistle all you want'.😆

Heera's sweet whisperings into her friend's ears about her guy were so so cute!

And for the last paragraph, Bahadur has become my jigar ka tukda...his gratitude and love for his friend and his master respectively..he's the best pet ever!!!❤️

Seriously, the word count died because my comment wasn't ending😆 Wonderful wonderful chapter di!!!! You've made me the happiesttt person ever after this! I was right about AKBAR and ab mera jeevan dhanya ho gaya❤️

Cyaaa soon..love ya loads and loads!!!🤗

Quote

selvi1275

@selvi1275

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#149

Eyes enviably shaped like perfect almonds with long sweeping lashes to frame them. Eyes whose honey-coloured depths sparkled in various shades of brown and hazel behind a green veil

Lovely lines...

'Thank you' the heiress murmured to her new horse once they'd slowed down, as gratitude for making the first tryst with her prince so perfect. Strangely, the steed responded with a faint snort too, as though in agreement with its mistress

'Oh...' she patted its neck, pleasantly stunned 'I think you understand me well'

Beautiful ...an inteligent steed would indeed be a priceless possesion...

'It is unrecognisable' he beamed widely 'It looks alive!'

HE DID????

I thought it was Khan sahib...but then itz chacha jaan i think...

And then he spotted her, slipping into the palanquin with two other maids.

A poignant haze softened his sharp stares. She was dressed simply. Her face was masked under a lengthy veil. And she was hidden amongst many other ladies - but he would make no mistake in recognising her. Just as he made no mistake in recognising how her personality appeared so markedly different now.

We are seeing the leads thru the eyes of each other . LOVE has stricken them hard and fast...of course given the time crunch...

wow very tender it is...

with drooping shoulders and head bent low - was not a pleasant sight.

(Awful feeling.)...All alone in this world...as if a loss isn't enough

MAHENDAR... None can fall too low than him...by the way, is he involved in Durga Bai's tragedy.

Hope Tejraj helps Harka Bai in some way...perhaps Her letters and other plans will make him realise that she is no mute and meek...but Darling after chap.15...it is not possible any sooner ...right?

It's not a request... it's an order, Bajrang!' she re-confirmed, when they hesitated 'Stand back!'

Itz her first ordering around in full public, but the men are better compared to the ladies I think ...the ladies look like one rotten group...always pushing her to the edge...

a step that brought his profile within her clearest field of vision 'All I am trying to do, is get a few facts straight... so, I can understand what happened

Beautiful line... Stirred my heart...he coming ahead and she understanding... Aesthetic

Even Gauri is no different it seems...her prejudice against AMK had made her hide details about that boy in the first place...she needed to have thought about her mistress ...should have remembered that they are in hiding...all the maids seem to operate with their own mind...don't seem to remember that they work for their mistress.

features, that equation changed. There was a raging fury in his glares - more intense than anything she'd

These lines have a lot of hidden meanings

A tempest that'd threatened to blow everything in its wake until a few moments ago, had been brought to standstill. And so subtly that he hadn't even realised it'd happened.

Aaha ... What a line

answers he knew he'd find if he continued gazing into those luring eyes that pretended to be hiding behind a sheer yellow veil.

guessing from the traces of pride in her gazes that the young lady knew precisely what he was talking about.

Appreciation and pride. - understanding each other

In a hasty flash, he drew out a sharp metal blade from within one of his inner pockets. The fact that no one had expected him to retaliate in this manner worked in his favour. While the men were still reeling from the shock, he leapt at Akbar, running his knife around the man's neck.

It didn't occur to him to do this when Akbar was holding his collar ... Thank god...

And as they passed by the fence thereafter, his glances incidentally fell upon the pair of fair palms toiling away on the other side - inspecting and caring for those tender leaves with exquisite care. Palms that were graceful with whatever they handled, skillful with whatever they touched - be it 4 dams in a forest, or a few flowers in a garden.

Not missing anything...everything of her is graceful and attractive for him

These were some of the quotes when i stopped...but then thought will let you know... Some may seem abrupt coz i did'nt finish it then...now i have to read again to know what i felt ...ll do that some time...

These were what i felt when i read those chapters...ofcourse some feelings changed with the next chapter and the next...thatz y i did'nt want to post it...

Chap:15 ... What can i say...(like Anna's mess- i don't know how to post pic...otherwise i would have done that)...well, i will read again and comment...

Edited by selvi1275 - 9 years ago

Quote

Kalgi22

@Kalgi22

Stunner

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#150

OMG OMG I'm so happy I doubted Abkar and his timely entry in earlier chapter.

But actually I thought Ustaad as a name and ignored him. But now I got it. It's just a title. But It's ok.

OMG! I'm so happy to know Akbar's confusion when about revealing about Heera

OMG! OMG! OMG! This Mahendar 🤣🤣🤣🤣 He can only yell or break vases like Rukku. So Akbar's man got kill when he was about to inform about him. That's mean Akbar will find about him so soon!!!

OMG! I'm so happy that Heer'a letter for Mahendar didn't reach him

OMG! My darling Bahadur having a great company

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! What a plot it is. Full of thrills and Full of suspense and Full of twists. I'm madly searching my Chellam for a bone crushing hug! What a criminal mind you have!!

Love you so much darling. Come Come I want to hug you. Image result for bone crushing hug gif