NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~Thread 11 - Chapter 16 - UPD 22nd SEP - Page 32

Originally posted by: durgeshnandini

You have already heard(read) it all hundreds of times, but once again, dear Author, this chapter was splendid!! What made it more so enthralling, is yet another interesting point, with earnest simplicity... emotional twists... and selfless concerns... as the basic ingredients, you've pointed out something significant and poignant - there is no choice between good or bad in this world, we've to choose from the... bad, worse, and worst.

Of Serpent and Scorpion...

Unbeknown to the lurking danger, partially blind to the ungratefulness that prevailed around... she sits on the steps of a Shrine, a haven of peace and tranquility, chanting hymns, praying and praising the ample beauty Mother Nature presented - the world so comfortable a sheath for her- yet the potent danger lurks around - it was a trouble from bad, worse, and worst!

As stealthy as a Serpent, manipulative and calm, measuring his steps and thoughts all the same - he comes. He warns her, for he is worried, he is worried, for he knows the dangers, he knows the dangers, for he is a part of the ploy - and he knows the Rules of the Game - a Game more dangerous than a Tahar, more challenging than Ganjifa... and so unsure of her safety, he stands back and waits - that is when he notices, things were going from bad, worse to worst!

She's caught up between the Good and Bad, a lethal red Scorpion (or Cupid, in disguise, as Shruti said) and a tough Protector... and the Divine intervention, of course! For the background of the Shrine, for such a significant happening shows how religious they both were deep down. And whatever they achieve in the end, they're surely going to be blessed! How beautiful of you, dearest Author!

The Just Stay Safe...

A known - unknown opponent, a never before experienced proximity and some Lashian romance - they don't touch but they feel, they don't hear but her mirth resonates in him, she baits, and the Analyser of Analysers falls for it... and thus, despite the fact, that she knows not what he combats against, she helps him out... with taunts as reassurance, smiles as confidence, and her beauty as positivity! And all this even when things take a downturn - from bad, worse to worst!

He takes up her danger, shields her from pain, smashes her opponent, and wins again! And he leaves with a parting note,

just stay safe - for the stakes are high,

just stay safe - for the enemies are strong,

just stay safe - for you is partially blind to your enemies,

just stay safe - for the Just must be kept safe and just stay safe - for me... for the things may get from bad, worse to worst!

The Burning (of) Pain...

It takes patience, to live through pain.

It takes courage to bring it back again...

It needs self-reliance to mull over your thought,

But what does it take to walk on a double edged sword?!

He thinks, ponders and engrosses into ideas... but it is not easy to lose a battle you're beginning to enjoy... to remove the friction that absolutely soothing... and to breach the trust the trust that has made you all that you are... the scorpion's poison burning his body, the poison of dilemma burning his mind. How does he discard the food that survived him all these years, for a manna from the Heavens, he had had only for a few days?!

He prays for help... and his prayers are answered... his mind cools with confession, and thoughts relaxes in submission... he realises his choices allowed over again - between bad, worse and worst... so the blessings relieve him, by setting his dilemmas ablaze. The proof against the Heiress burnt, the first testament of his treason burnt and his dilemma finally laid to rest. As the chapter closes, the curtains are pulled down... with his countenance aglow... probably with hopes for the things to turn up to good, to better (and who knows) to best someday!!!

Thank you for this update!😊

PS: Just like neepobithi aka Anindita di mentioned, the opening philosophical lines you have so beautifully penned, remind me of the poem/song by Tagore, Prarthona (Prayer) , it has similar essence :

Bipode more rokhha koro, e nohe mor prarthona,

Bipode ami na jeno kori bhoy.

(I don't pray to You, to protect me from trouble ,

Just bless me, that I am not daunted by trouble. )

Amaro bhar laghobo kori, nai ba dile shantona,

Bohite pari, shokoti jeno roy.

(Don't sympathise me by lessening my burdens,

Just bless me, that I am able to bear it on my own. )

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Story time for the Kids.

( It is story time for Baby Sarasa and Babloo. Grandma comes there to fulfil her duty.)

Baby: What are you going to tell us grandma?

G'ma: What story do you want? Shall I tell you Krishna's story?

Babloo: Grandma, you already told us Krishna story.. you said that his mother brought him from Jail hospital.. I want a new story..

Baby: Grandma, everyday you read new stories..tell us about them..

Babloo: I want Lashy'kka's story. It has got a prince riding a horsie..

Baby: There is a pretty 16 year old girl in it ..

Babloo: Old girl?!!?

>>>😲😆

G'ma: No a young girl..poor thing.. She has enemies.

Babloo: Poor girl? She has no money?

G'ma: No..no.. She has lot of money..

Babloo: Then how can she be poor.. She must be rich..

>>>Aww clever boy!!

Baby: Okay, tell us the story grandma.. what does the girl do?

G'ma: Her parents died and she had nobody except her elder sister..

Baby: How old was she grandma, Was she also pretty? and what is her name?

G'ma: Yes she was very pretty and intelligent also..her name was Durga..and she would ride a horse..

Babloo: Is that horsie Bahadur? But it is a boy horsie.. how can a girl ride on it.?

>>>NO.. Not again lil Charmer!!😆

G'ma: It was not Bahadur, but she can ride any horse..

Baby: What about her sister... can she ride on a horse?

G'ma: No..Heera had an accident once and she became a little blind.. So she could not ride..

Baby: Is Heera her name? She became blind?

Babloo: Was she wearing glasses like you, grandma?

>>>😆

G'ma: In those days people wore no glasses kutties..

Baby: Poor thing , how does she read?

G'ma: She uses lens..

Baby: And then what happened?

G'ma: And then one day thieves came to their house and killed the elder sister Durga..

Babloo: Grandma, don't tell me scary stories..I am afraid..

>>>Babloo you're boy. Remember?😉

Baby: And then?

G'ma: And then.. Heera escaped from there and started to go to her uncle's house..

Baby: Alone?

>>>How care and intelligent?

G'ma: No.. She took some friends and soldiers with her..

Babloo: Who is a soldier grandma?

Baby: Babloo kutty..Soldiers fight for our country...

Babloo: How did she go? Did she go walking?

Baby: No .. don't you remember?..grandma said that she went by Dooly.

G'ma: So they travelled for two days and reached a place..and took rest.

Babloo: And after that what happened?

G'ma: She went to a temple to pray..

Babloo: Rama Temple or Krishna Temple?

>>>I also don't know!

G'ma: Lashy akka didn't say about it..

Baby: Did she pray there?

G'ma: Yes.. and you know what happened.. Suddenly a scorpion came to sting her..

Babloo: Then?..

G'ma: A young man came there and caught hold of the creature and threw it away..

Baby: How brave he is..

>>>Yes he's!

Babloo: What is a scorpion grandma? Is it big as the tiger Mohan?

>>>😆

G'ma: No it is a small creature, but is very poisonous..If it stings, people will die..

Baby:Oh!

Babloo: Why did it want to sting her? Is it her enemy?😲

Baby: Then did the man and Heera become friends?

>>>Always to the point!! 👏

Babloo: What is his name Grandma?

G'ma: Akbar..

Babloo: Akbar uncle? Did Jodha Aunty come with him?😕

>>>No only Sandy Begum come!! 😆

Karkuzhali.

Good Night!