Originally posted by: divyavm
Hi All,
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a 2017 filled with health, happiness, and wealth. 2016 was a roller coaster year with its share of ups and downs. For those in the US, let's see what 2017 brings after mid-January.
Loool you'll trump over any 'downs' don't worry! 😉
Writer-e-khaas, with Chapter 24, you have added further anticipation of what is to come in 2017 with our HBAS. I know you called the chapter "transitional" but it seems like the set up towards a major showdown and chapter 25 cannot come soon enough for me.
Really? Thanks da😳
The theme for my take is the 5 main ingredients (I am in a cooking mood during vacation) of Lashy's chatpata recipe to make Divya on her toes for what is to come. So, here goes:
(1) Harka, heartbroken, shunned, and stranded
This is the main ingredient of my anxiety and also the soul of this chapter. Harka's honesty and inability to hide the truth from those she loves causes her own downfall as she is shunned by her Godparents for showing affection to a Mughal man. For a young woman already upon bad times, when worse times came, they came from all directions, as symbolized by her eyesight, weakened by the stress.
How well noticed...👏 yes... everything was failing her - luck, love, support, name, honour, loved ones... everything! Yet she chose not to lie...😭
Every flavor of her emotions was enriched with your embellished descriptions. We felt her turmoil as she faced the pressing questions of her Godparents; her emotional tug of war on whether to say "No" or "Yes" to the allegations that changed to incriminating silence. We felt her longing as 2 days dragged, sleepless and hungry, as she waited, for an audience with her Godparents. As she faced her final trial with those she loved, we could feel her pain as her face was a "beautiful painting stripped of its colors" and we felt her efforts to mantain a dignified gait, something that used to come so naturally to her before. And we felt her pain fully come out, when she felt for (not looked for) the diamond hair ornament that her Kakisa had braided in her hair only three days before.
A million thank yous for noticing the underlined..🤗 I don't know if anyone else did... but to think that this was the ornament that she could see and admire a few days ago - now she only had to 'feel' it for what it was.
And glad the words were able to leave an impact!😳
(2) Harka's people, sombre, loyal, and ever-dependable
The biggest complement to this main ingredient was Harka's people throughout the chapter.
While it is no surprise to see this loyalty from Rajputs, it was still heartwarming to witness.
true..
It started with Ratan Banna, making an earnest appeal to Chitranjan to give Harka one more chance, making a case for the young baisa and the tough circumstances she had been through. He secured one more meeting between Harka and her Godparents, if nothing else.
That he did!😊
Later, we see Gauri, a reflection of Harka's conscience, as always by her baisa's side sensing her every sadness, fear, and pain. As Harka had requested, Gauri found the two girls who had gossiped and revealed about Akbar to Mahendar's spies. While Gauri took out her annoyance and frustration on the two girls, it was Harka that reflected that she didn't need more "tears on my conscience" as Harka also knew it was her own doing that was the root cause.
😭
Even while they were all shunned with Harka into an uncertain future, they all stayed by her side. And as a foreshadowing, Ratan Banna's own concern for the people of Parnagarh reinforced that they would also support their Baisa.
Yes.. they'll stay by her side... 😊
(3) Khalil, overconfident, vengeful, and at the height of his evil nature
The main spice of this chapter, Khalil was like one of the spiciest chillies of them all, the "Ghost Pepper." His actions were also as fearful as a Ghost. The environment of fear arose within us with his bloodthirsty eyes reading Mahender's update. As he roared with his ambitions at its peak, we were silenced like the people around him.
Ghost pepper...oooh la la! Will bear that in mind.. remember the first descriptions used for him 'phantom' resonates with your description here... 😉
Khalil's planning was stupendous as he chose to corner Shehzaade into an impulsive decision against Ustaad when the Shehzaade was distracted by existing turmoil at the capital (which was very nicely referred to by Chitranjan earlier). Khalil let another noble plant the initial seed of doubt about Ustaad and then jumped on the opportunity to convince Shehzaade to attack Parnagarh. Khalil effectively masked his own resentment at bring tricked by Durga as he made his fresh set of plans. He also played well to Shehzaade's own ambitions and had his perimission to do what was needed to finish Harka off.
Thank you once again for noticing all the small details, enjoying them and outlining them so well.. 🤗
The evil man had all he needed to wreak the havoc he wanted to for his own power.
(3) Shehzaade, distracted, ambitious, and focused on results
As if one spice was not enough, you added another. It was a chilling moment when one saw how equally evil he and Khalil were as you described the villainy that glinted from both their eyes. Double spice, that even his face turned away from the heat for a moment.
Yes... because he knows Harka Sahiba is a good person.. doesn't deserve what's coming to her... but nothing comes before power for Shehzaade... and so, he gives the orders.. though with some reservations..
You built up the chilling aura effectively - starting with reference to the tongue that had been chopped off recently for interrupting prayers with bad news. The tension of a Hindu uprising and succession battles further added to the spice. Despite all the tensions, Shehzaade's sharpness was intact- taunting Khalil for his failed attempt with Durga, weighing the pros and cons of going against Ustaad, and threatening Khalil with dire consequences if he failed.
he is the 'Shehzaade' after all! 😉
He was very well aware he had fallen into the political games of his men. Yet, ultimately, he gave Khalil what he wanted and we will have to see what all the heat of this decision will burn.
Because Khalil was promising to give him back what he wanted... and quickly!
(5) Akbar, sharp, alert, and filled with an ominous foreboding
While a short appearance, the entrance of Akbar into the capital was the all-important garnish to this chapter. The ambience of his entry was well done- as the mere "click" of his footstep made him stand apart and command attention as the soldiers were bustling with games and brawls. A few "clicks" of l his riding boots, and the soldiers were in silent and rapt attention.
Thank you ... I wasn't sure how that part read... since a couple of the readers have mentioned it as being a good scene, I shall give myself a pat on the back!🥳
A few questions and Akbar knew all he needed to, to fear for the worst: Khalil had been at the capital too long and had headed off urgently with his men. His brain (and likely heart) worked like light speed - sensing Harka Sahiba in danger. His own body followed soon after, as swiftly as the wind, he alighted to find the Shehzaade who was hunting. Our biggest hope to temper the evil lurking around.
Yes... 🤗
I don't know if I was effective with the anology- but writer-e-khaas, this chapter had all the chatpata ingredients to create an engrossing chapter and I loved it. But, it was a bit spicy and I don't take spice well. Now, don't you think you owe us a sweet dessert in one of the upcoming chapters? Just kidding!
Your analogies have left me hungry now!😭
Dessert is served at the end... remember? Enjoy the main meal now.. dessert will surely come.. 😛
Happy New Year again! Wishing you especially for a creative and fulfilling year as you bring our jodi to the finish line!
What a beautiful wish dear.. thanks a lot and wishing you loads of joy, cheer, love, prosperity and health too! 🤗
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