NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~THREAD 20- Chapter 25 - 14th JANUARY - Page 10

The hunting grounds...

'At laaassst...' he exhaled.

Hours of tracking. Miles of frustrating nothingness. Long stretches of poor visibility. Sinking spirits. But the struggles had paid. The young man had finally located the thickets where the Shehzaade was hunting.

Is there anything that AMK cannot do ? Heera's face will make him go galloping. 😆

Throughout the journey, his concerned mates had asked him questions aplenty, but he had no explanation to give. All he knew was that there was a gnawing feeling within, that grew stronger by the beat - as though to remind him that time was running out.

Now, he didn't know who would suffer if time ran out. Nor did he know how much time was left. Which is why, he needed answers. And he had come here, seeking the only person who could give him those answers!

'It's me Huzoor... no need to be alarmed'

'What?' Signalling his guards to put their weapons down, the Shehzaade turned to greet his visitor with a guarded smile, trying not to betray his astonishment.

'Salaam Ustaad... it's been a while...'

'Salaam Huzoor' Jumping off his steed, Akbar rushed towards the prince, offering him an adab as he did so. 'Khalil! He's returned from Kabul?'

'My!' The prince snorted. This man didn't waste a breath, did he? 'Yes he has...'

'But, he was banished...'

'Yes he was...'

'Then how is here, Huzoor?'

A very bold Question to ask and start the conversation that too after 6 weeks of meeting. AMK does not waste time or words. 😃

Tying his hands behind his back, the prince casually paced up to the spread of food that'd been laid out on a table under a canopy. Picking up a small knife, he helped himself to a large fruit. 'Would you like some?'

'No thank you, Huzoor...'

Akbar was gentle in his refusal, but the impatience in his voice made it evident that he was not here to enjoy a picnic 'Please enlighten me Huzoor... I assumed that Khalil was not meant to be allowed into the capital so soon... then, why is he here... and where is he off to?'

Shehzaade took his time, finishing the fruit 'Let me be honest, my man...' he spoke, licking the juice from his fingertips 'I am growing tired of being caught in the crossfire, while you and Khalil battle out your differences... I am your master... I am his master... I have a right to make decisions as I please... and I don't have to justify my decisions to either of you... is that clear?'

Shehzaade is the fox guy - god knows what he or you have in mind .

Akbar frowned. Those orders were meant to keep him in line. But he could see through his master's ploy. The curt reply, the evasive tactics - it was obvious the prince was getting defensive. 'May I ask...' his heartbeats quickened 'if he has been sent away on another assignment?'

'No... not on another assignment'

'No?' Oblivious to the fresh beads of sweat that'd formed on his brow, Akbar peered into the man's eyes - he wanted answers and yet he dreaded what he would find 'Where is he off to, Huzoor?'

'Ustaad...' A reluctant sigh followed 'he has been sent to seize Parnagarh'

'DARN!' This was PRECISELY what Akbar had been dreading most! 'Behind my back?'

A knife piering through AMK. The word Parnagarh is like a magic for him. 😉

'Well...' the prince interrupted the unsettling pause 'you must understand... I had to make an urgent decision!'

'Huzoor... but so urgent that it had to be handed back to Khalil? The same man who behaved so recklessly and brought dishonour upon us, upon Islam... upon you?'

Shehzaade's gazes rolled down towards his hands, as he toyed with the nail on his thumb 'I've given Khalil strict instructions... I'm confident he will follow them this time'

There might have been a tinge of guilt in the Huzoor's tone as he made that semi-convinced admission. But, Akbar was deaf to it - because he had just heard another sound. The sound of the tiniest crack - the first crack on the wall of trust that he'd nurtured for years. Thus shaking the belief that Huzoor had more regard for him than he had for the rest of his men. What a nasty way to be reminded of the reality that no one - however loyal or skilled - was immune to the treachery of power play!

Beautifully written - Power politics conversations/ strategies come so naturally to you. ⭐️

'Huzoor... please tell me what instructions Khalil has been given'

'To seize Parnagarh...' he shrugged 'and to destroy anything that stands in the way'

'To destroy its people? The old and sick? Women and infants?' the young man questioned through a series of gasps 'The Sahiba too?'

'If they stand in the way, then yes!'

'NOOO!'

😆

A jarring stillness blanketed the crowd - the far-reaching echoes of Ustaad's defying roar, sending a cold shudder through their spines.

'Khan Sahib' Ibrahim, Azeez and Sayyid watched the turn of events aghast, as did the rest of the onlookers, frightened of how the prince would respond to that audacious reaction.

The Shehzaade, however, found himself more 'intrigued' than offended by the 'NO' - for never before had he seen this side to the Ustaad.

Shehzaade is a COOL CAT. Otherwise he cannot be the boss of our Super Hero. 😃

Of course, the man had been wronged and possibly needed a while to cool off. Still, that brief display of unbridled rage felt strange coming from someone who could keep his calm even during the most demanding of crisis. Was the reason for that flare up merely his professional enmity with Khalil? Or was it something else?

He'd find out soon enough.

At this point, I thought AMK will inform him he has Farmaan but not give it away to SH but you pulled a master stroke negotaition from AMK. 👏

'Deep breaths you madman... this is the Mughal prince, you're talking to!'

Pushing down the bile that'd nearly risen up to his throat, Akbar shut out the horrifying mental images of Khalil and his men closing-in on Harka Sahiba. If he let those thoughts simmer any further, the broiling fury would spill over, threatening to destroy everything in its wake - a risk he could not afford to take in the presence of His Royal Highness.

No doubt, he would move Heaven, Earth - and even Hell, if that was what it took - to stop Khalil from bringing the Sahiba harm. But working himself into a frenzy about it, at this moment, would not help!

'CALM DOWN and think quickly!' he forcefully pried open his logic and senses that'd shut down for a few instants. 'Khalil cannot reach the Sahiba so easily... she's away at Bansi amongst people who'd protect her... besides...' he paused 'she's about to become the wife of... of... the Kun...' he paused again, a familiarly-painful pang stopping him from completing that sentence 'besides, she's going to be the Shehzaadi of a powerful kingdom... so, she will be safe for the time being! In the meanwhile, come up with an idea to convince the Shehzaade against this cruelty!'

'What's going on in that mind of yours, Ustaad?'

'Huzoor...' Akbar made a swift attempt to regroup his thoughts 'but, weren't our plans to keep it quiet? To play it clean? To avoid a bloodbath? All along, I assumed we were trying not to provoke the Hindus... wouldn't this impulsive attack add fuel to fire? Especially now that there is an uprising against you...' his pitch might've become reasonably-composed, but it was not as easy to keep the restlessness from surfacing in his stares 'So, please give me your permission to stop Khalil... let me prevent the violence, before it could lead to horrible consequences!'

'Hmmm...' the prince hummed, noting the sense of urgency in the Ustaad's approach 'no need to stop Khalil... don't worry about the consequences... there will be little retaliation from the Hindus if Parnagarh is destroyed... at least, for now!'

'Ai Khuda...' Akbar's fists quietly rolled. Then uncurled. Rolled. Then uncurled. Why would his master not let him stop this madness? 'But Huzoor... how could there be no retaliation?'

'Apparently, the Sahiba of Parnagarh has been disowned by many powerful members of her own community... so, other kingdoms have gradually withdrawn support too...'

'What?'

His left feet took a faltering step back, as he cast a frantic glare at his mates, to find out if they had any idea of this development.

'ANY IDEA AT ALL?'

No. None. They appeared as flabbergasted as him.

But until a week ago, everything was fine. What on Earth could have happened since then that'd resulted in such a devastating situation? 'Disowned? Even by the Maharaj of Bansi?'

'Yes...' nodded the Shehzaade, humming another tune under his breath - a slightly less serious one. His eyes had just caught onto a remarkable observation.

The conversation had moved on from Khalil, hadn't it? The conversation was no longer about Mughal dishonour, was it? Then why hadn't the fire in Ustaad's eyes died out yet? 'Yes... possibly disowned by Bansi too...'

God! This made matters worse. Far worse. 'B... but why?'

'I don't know the details...' the prince flicked his palm dismissively 'of what I'd heard... she declined a marriage proposal'

His speech suddenly broke off. He'd heard his own words. And a couple of facts that hadn't stood out initially, did so this time around 'She went against a few powerful members of the Rajput community... but, why?' Something about those details did not ring right.

Why WOULD an orphaned 16 year old, whose life and lands were already in danger, turn down a marriage proposal from a powerful kingdom? It didn't make sense. Why risk everything?

Unless she'd met another well-wisher who...

His brows craftily narrowing together, Shehzaade glanced up, boring into the eyes of the young warrior who had been guarding the Parnagarh assignment like his life depended on it.

Aha! He'd never bothered looking in this direction, so he never realised there was a mystery lurking. But now that he'd looked, he found one. And maybe -just maybe - if he looked closer, he might find the missing pieces too.

'Huzoor...' Akbar urged, his breath caught in his throat 'You were saying...'

'It seems...' Shehzaade smiled at that 'sense of urgency' in the Ustaad's approach again 'she has turned down a proposal from a powerful Rajput kingdom'

'What?' Akbar's lips parted, letting out a startled whisper as he realised what the news meant - Sahiba had rejected the Kunwar of Manswar!

For the shortest moment, his eyes glimmered alive. The heaviness in his chest suddenly eased into light flutters. It was untimely to indulge in such a sentiment now. However, that reaction was spontaneous. Beyond control. His pride and possessiveness that'd been taking too many hits for far too long had finally found a reason to gloat.

- At last our Hero is acking in front of others. It took him 24 chapters. Poor Heera has been more vocal to herself than him.

But as always, the joy was short-lived!

'Ustaad...' the prince rubbed his beard 'I have two doubts...'

The young man's expressions were eclipsed by a frown 'Doubts?'

'Hmmm' Shehzaade deliberately paused, fiddling with the man's patience 'Why didn't Harka Sahiba use this proposal to benefit her lands? Come to think of it... she has literally signed her own death-wish by rejecting this wedding...'

'True...' Akbar admitted, the dark undertones resurfacing in his voice

The prince let his face hover beside the Ustaad's 'Besides, are Rajputs really so sensitive? Would they all disown a kind lady merely because she turned down a proposal? No... I don't think so...' he watched the man closely. Very closely. 'So, I wonder what she might have done to deserve such disfavour from her people! Something that they didn't approve of? Something immoral? Maybe she got involved with someone...' he topped up his crooked sense of humour with a wide beam 'Bah! Anyway, I have no purpose for her hereafter, and I prefer her chapter closed... I'm sure YOU wouldn't mind that, would you?'

His royal features grew rife with a roguish sadism on observing how Akbar's skin had become a rich crimson, the veins in his temple throbbing visibly - maybe from the blood rushing to his head.

Seeing Parnagarh has made a difference to AMK - He is unable to put up a show not when he knows someone like Khalil is after his love.

'Finally' he sneered - he was right! So, the great Ustaad had committed the cardinal sin of growing too attached to his 'assignment'.

What a pity though, nothing could be done about it.

Wrapping his palm around the man's left shoulder, Shehzaade patted him thrice, as if offering him brotherly sympathy 'Let's head for the palace... I have a new assignment in mind for you...'

'Huzoor, I cannot answer for the Sahiba, but I do have a query about myself...' his remark stopped the prince in his tracks 'I wonder what 'I' might have done to deserve such disfavour from my master?'

Yes, Akbar was deflecting. But what else was he to do? The Huzoor had relentlessly toyed with him, cutting through every part till his weakest spot had been exposed. Nearly extracting a silent confession from him, about his feelings for the Sahiba.

Driven to the brink of desperation by his master, Akbar was in dire need of a swift comeback. And it was at that critical juncture that he suddenly remembered - he had one weapon left in his arsenal. One game-changer.

The Farmaan.

Its presence had been briefly ignored owing to the shocking turn of events. But maybe that was for the best - because he would use the scroll now to make up for lost ground.

Granted, it might not be the valuable 'trump card' it was until a few hours ago. But it was still a good card. And Akbar was capable of playing an excellent game with an ordinary card too!

'Huzoor, pardon my insolence...' his pitch was steady, but deep 'please tell me, why you chose not to keep up your word to me... when I've never let you down?'

'Ustaad...' Shehzaade exhaled warily 'Everything about Parnagarh has become mighty personal to you, hasn't it?' The taunt was subtle - yet, plain for everyone to see 'Don't take it to heart, my man... but you did take your own time... nearly 2 months...'

'Four weeks...' Akbar instantly corrected his master 'Huzoor, four weeks was what I took... so, I politely ask... would anyone else in the force have handled everything so neatly... while bringing you all that information within four weeks?'

This was awkward.

'Maybe not... but, what's the use... you didn't get me the Farmaan, so... I... see no... point... in...'

The prince's sentence trailed off 'Wh...What is that?' he hissed, his jaw dropping open.

Words failed him thereafter, as he was left facing both - Akbar's steady glares and the object that'd just been fished out of his bag.

It was an old long brass box - the kind that was used to store precious documents. 'Is that...' the questions in his mind turned to disbelief 'Is that what I think it is?'

'Huzoor...'

The young man called out, since his master's speech had been brought to a grinding halt 'The Farmaan'

The Shehzaade received the document cautiously. But 'Thank you' was all he could think of saying for then.

'NOW tell me Huzoor...' there was a calculated modesty in Akbar's tone 'have I ever let you down?'

⭐️

Of course, there was that one 'odd' instance, when he'd secretly burnt the scrolls to save Harka Sahiba's life. But somehow that secret didn't prick his conscience anymore! 'Have I?'

The prince studied the man's expressions like a hawk. No smug frown, no arrogance in his voice. Then again, it was always the Ustaad's actions that were hard-hitting. 'No... you have never let me down!' he finally relented 'But if you'd already found the Farmaan, you could've tipped me off by sending a messenger... would've saved us a lot of trouble!'

'Huzoor' Akbar raised a brow 'I would've sent a messenger, if I know of anyone who could ride to the capital faster than I can...'

😆

'Darn!' The Shehzaade was compelled to break out into a grin. No wonder he liked this man so much. 'Kareem' he called for his assistant, his glimpses fixed upon his best soldier 'Take this document... we'll have it authenticated at the palace now... if it IS the original Farmaan, I'll have to make it up to our Ustaad Sahib!'

Bansi

'Must never disturb a shrine after sunset...' Kakisa would often say 'it would bring you bad luck'

And today, by a cruel twist of fate she was about to do precisely that. The irony!

The young lady slowly picked up the idol.

Decked in the same finery, as always. Smiling, as always. There was not a trace of worry on the divine Mother's face - despite the harrowing future that awaited her children.

'Teach me to be like you, Ma Bhavani... fearless... steadfast... unemotional...'

Having prayed her last prayer for the day, Heera gently wrapped the figurine within a shawl - her last personal possession that was meant to be packed.

The rest of the trunks were lined, ready to go. Her chamber was dark and empty - the air thick with a fog of gloom, as this spurned daughter prepared to bid to her permanent farewell to Bansi.

Hugging the deity close to her empty chest for a while, she finally placed it in the box.

Just then, before the lid could be shut, a gentle tug at her shoulder stopped her.

'Gauri?'

'There is still time Heera... you can deny the allegations... and things would almost return to what they were...'

It was the tenth time Heera had heard that suggestion in the past hour. But lately, there was an unusual shake in the maid's voice too - a sign that Gauri was buckling under the strain. This was concerning. She could not afford to let her sturdiest crutch crack at this crucial hour, or she might collapse too.

Therefore, the young lady decided to take a moment out of that pressing schedule to step down from her role as heiress and fulfil her role as best friend.

After dismissing the rest of the maids from the chamber, she gently held the lady by her shoulders 'Gauri...'

'I... I mean it... it's not too late...' the maid's glances fell upon the packed trunks 'we can salvage our relationship with Bansi... if you convince them that it's all a lie... is it not?'

'Alas...' Heera let out a long sigh.

Her expressions turned shades duller 'the Kunwar took away my name... my respect... my relations... my honour... if only he had taken away my conscience too... then I would've convinced others it was all a lie...'

'What!' Gauri's heart lurched, skipping a beat 'What are you saying?'

'You've asked me about this over and over, Gauri... but there are things I haven't told you...' her eyelids shut, as she tried to prepare herself for the fresh disappointment she was about to unleash upon her friend 'I haven't been able to deny the allegations... because those allegations weren't entirely false...'

'No!' She could not have heard right! 'No... no... no... no... no... no... that's not true... shhh' the maid dropped her voice to a whisper, her eyes beginning to mist 'listen to me Heera... you are only 16... and at this age, such feelings... desires are natural... what you possibly felt for... for... for... for Khan Sahib is nothing beyond an adolescent whim...'

'An adolescent whim?' If only that was what it was!

She glimpsed at the deity in the box, a mellow smile surfacing on her lips - similar to the kind one would have when narrating a sad story. 'There was a young lady... who'd lost everyone dear to her... she was afraid she might lose her own life too... when trapped in the jaws of terror and loneliness thus, unbeknown to everyone else, she met a man... he said nothing much... but... by his presence, by his silent actions and his protectiveness, he began filling a void... he seemed to possess this key that would open the doors to a new world... a world away from terror and loneliness... suddenly... one day... ' A chillness took over as she recalled the incident that was still fresh in her mind, compelling her to pull her veil close to her skin 'the lady found him lying in a canal, on the verge of death... she could not bear the thought of losing him, so she put her heart and soul into reviving him... into bringing him back to life... her efforts paid... he opened his eyes... however, he was not in his full senses... then again' she smirked 'maybe it was because he was not in his senses that day that he decided to come out of his shell... anyhow, he went on to express what he really felt for her... now, she could have stopped him, but she didn't... because she'd been wanting to know what was on his mind too!'

'W...' Gauri gasped, too terrified to hear what was to come 'what are you talking about? Stop...'

Heera continued though, in the same sad vein 'He touched her cheeks and caressed her lips... she didn't stop him... he held her by her arms and gently pulled her close to his chest... yet, she didn't stop him... he rested her face upon his heart and embraced her within his arms... seemingly showing her that every danger would have to cross him, before reaching her... at that instant, she felt shielded... protected... loved... why would the lady stop him then? In fact, she desired his touch... secretly, even yearned for more of it... much like a married woman, who yearns for her husband's affections...'

Her gazes that were lost in oblivion reverted to reality, to face her friend. Along with Gauri, she'd heard her own story aloud for the first time - and it hit her badly as to how far gone her errant heart was, as to how much of herself she'd invested in a relationship that was meant to have no happy end!

'You've been waiting to hear my story, haven't you? So tell me, would you term this as an adolescent whim even now, Gauri?'

The chief-maid's fingers faltered towards her shivering lips, too shocked to say anything. All throughout, she'd been assuming it was just fascination, while in fact, her baisa had already given her heart to this man! All throughout, she'd been trying to stomp out the sparks - while her baisa was already engulfed by the all-consuming flames of love. 'Wh... what have you done?'

'What have I done?' Heera scoffed at herself 'A question my mind asks me every hour, but my silly stubborn heart has no reply!'

Tears of helplessness streamed down the maid's face. Never had she felt so despondent before - not even after Durga bai's death! 'THIS is why I'd wanted you to stay away from him...' she shook her friend, unable to find a reason or means to compose herself for then 'What are you going to do? What are we going to do? The Parnagarhis are still hoping that you'd get married into a powerful Rajput family... that is their only chance at some form of protection from the Shehzaade... but now...'

'But now, that might never happen?' Heera had to finish the sentence that Gauri couldn't 'Please teach me how to throw away my morals... how to erase these feelings from my heart and these sentiments from my memory... then I'll bury this incident like a deep dark secret... and say yes to the first powerful proposal that comes my way...'

'Is there no one to look out for us?' Gauri cupped her numb features 'Th... the kingdom of Manswar has become an enemy... we've lost Bansi too... where are we going to go, if we're attacked?' Finding herself facing a stone wall at every juncture, she was desperate to seek an exit. Therefore, ditching the norms and going against her wishes, she was prepared to give even the 'unthinkable' a thought 'Before we left, what did Khan Sahib say? Didn't he propose marriage? Did he ask you to wait for him?'

At first, Heera bit down hard on her quivering lip. But when the lump in her throat got too painful to swallow, she had to turn away. 'Lord!' she closed her damp eyes. Why did these emotions have to resurface again now? As though extracting vengeance for having hidden them away so long. As though showing her that she might conceal them, but could never really get over them - be it the frustration, the anger, the hurt or the misery. 'Let's say...' there was a subdued bitterness in her voice 'that of the two of us, he was wiser... he was quick to realise that we had no future...'

Soon, she wiped the side of her lashes 'I know I have disappointed my people by my actions... but I will pick up the pieces hereon and try my best to give them what they deserve...' quickly reinstating her poise, she met eyes with her friend again 'I plan to finish what jiji had started... diplomacy is the only weapon I have left... hopefully, it'll help me save at least SOME of Parnagarh...'

'Does that mean I'll never get to see you married, Heera?' Gauri wept, having barely heard the 'plans' and 'ideas' that her mistress had been talking out 'Are you going to spend the rest of your days in loneliness?'

Heera smiled again, hoping it'd hide at least a little bit of that grief. 'Let me live that long first... and we'll worry about marriage and loneliness later... but for now, I need you to be strong... for me... alright?'

Gauri hugged her friend tightly. 'All I'd wanted, was to see you both married... living happily with your families...' For whatever reason, the tears didn't seem to want to stop. Maybe it was this ugly farewell from Bansi that was eroding her confidence faster than she could rebuild it. Or maybe it was something else, ominous. 'You sisters have been unlucky in life... and you both have been unlucky in love too!'

Heera could still sense panic in her friend's gestures. So, setting aside her own jitters, she came up with another positive reminder to comfort her maid 'Don't lose hope... there IS someone looking out for us, from up there... gifting us one saving grace amidst this hardship...' she paused 'I presumed Manswar would be our greatest support... and I confided my plans in the messages I'd sent to the Kunwar... thankfully, those scrolls never reached Manswar... if not, who knows what the Kunwar of Manswar might've done with those letters?'

'You're right' Gauri agreed slowly 'maybe there IS someone looking out for us'

This was heart breaking. She is too true to her feelings. And except AMK no one sees her value in a complete sense. But in your story it looks like AMK will win , do stratgey, negotiate and get everything back to her including her dignity.

The Capital

At the palace

The ambience was lively. The men were drunk with happiness. The food was plenty. The jokes never ended. There was relentless laughter and chatter.

Akbar should've been mighty pleased. Any other day, and Akbar would have been mighty pleased - seeing how the feast was meant to honour him. A feast celebrating his achievements, hosted by the Shehzaade - possibly to lighten some of that guilt.

However, all the young man wanted to do - as he sat at the head of the dinner audience - was to get up, get out and get going.

It'd been two hours since the Farmaan had been authenticated. Which meant that by the end of this, Khalil would already have half-a-day's advantage over him - yes, Akbar had made the enquiries and done the maths. If Bansi had disowned Harka Sahiba, she would be vacating from the palace soon - leaving her isolated in the dangerous forests thereon, and extremely vulnerable to the clutches of the predator.

The only relief he had was the knowledge that Khalil and his men were no experts on forests routes - it would take them at least another couple of days to reach the outskirts of Bansi.

However, that did not make it any easier to sit here and bide time - especially when the very thought of what might happen if he didn't get to her first, made his hair stand on end.

But, much as he wanted to charge off, Akbar wouldn't do it.

By an uncanny twist of fate, he was currently enjoying an upper hand over the Shehzaade - and he wanted to keep it that way for as long he could. A little patience here would go a long way. So, he sucked it up and sat amidst the crowd like a true gentleman.

'Simmer down' he kept telling himself - after all, this delay had given him one big benefit.

It'd given him ample time to compose his fears. And to channelize his frustrations into a strategy for what he planned to do next.

Now, all he needed was an opportunity to execute that strategy.

Thankfully, the opportunity came half an hour later when the men left, one after another - till there was no one else in that grand chamber but him and the Mughal prince.

The smile on his face distorted into a grin, as Shehzaade took one tough glance at the man sitting at the opposite end of the dining arrangement 'So... Ustaad... now that it's only you and I... do you want to tell me what's on your mind?' he paused 'Do you want me to apologise... is that it?'

'Not in my wildest dreams, Huzoor...' Akbar was quick to clarify

'But you want something... what is it?'

The young man's glimpses slid towards the silk kerchief beside his hand 'Huzoor... do you remember... that incident when you were crossing the desert once... your troupe was attacked... fortunately, my men and I had uncovered the assassination plot and reached you promptly...'

'Go on...'

'It was my first task as an Intelligence Officer and it was tough... for three days we had to fend off enemies... the weather was unbearable... we were starving... and had only 3 bags of water to keep us all going...' Akbar smiled to himself, as though recalling the incident fondly 'but what's important Huzoor, is that we managed to get you out of that attack, safe and sound!'

The Shehzaade was not grinning anymore.

'I have a good memory, Ustaad... so come straight to the point... what do you want?'

Akbar looked up slowly.

'You gave me a promise that day, Huzoor... remember?'

How could the prince forget? 'Ask for whatever you want, my man... and it'll be yours!'

So elated had he been by Ustaad's accomplishment that he'd offered him a gift, a 'promise' right away. And then, at the end of every mission thereafter too. Only, Ustaad had never cared to claim these materialistic gifts. At least, not until now. 'The offer still stands...' picking up a goblet of water, he took a sip of water to wet his parched lips 'anything reasonable you ask for, is yours!'

'Huzoor... with your permission then, I request for a promotion'

'Oh...' he smirked in part-relief, before taking another sip of water 'but you ARE already the Chief Intelligence Officer, so...'

'Huzoor... if you could put in a word to the Shehenshah, and let him know that I would like to be promoted to the rank of a special-ranking Mansabdar...'

The Shehzaade almost choked on his drink. 'Mansabdar?' he teased 'What do you plan to do, Ustaad... spend your days in court in hefty silk clothes with a pot belly?'

'A Mansabdar...' Akbar kindly interrupted the laughter 'A Mansabdar, permanently posted at Parnagarh!'

BANG!

The prince had thumped his goblet on the table in front. 'This is no longer funny...'

'But... I am not jesting, Huzoor...'

'Oh, really?'

'You have the Farmaan... Parnagarh is all yours... a new officer has to be appointed to oversee the place... so, I'm requesting that you choose me for the position.'

'I see...' the prince ground down on his teeth - unaware of what to make of the situation, unaware of how to diffuse it 'the iron ores... they've enticed you too now, have they Ustaad?'

'No Huzoor...' Akbar's stance was modest and matter-of-fact 'you know me... I'm a simple man... why would the iron ores or its money, interest me?'

'Not the iron ores?'

Strangely enough - and even when everything else about the scenario seemed suspicious - Shehzaade could sense that the young man was being honest about this particular point. It was neither power, nor money driving this demand.

Was it the Sahiba, then?

Impossible! This man would never get out there in time to save her life hereafter. 'So, why Parnagarh?'

His mind racing with the 'ifs' and 'buts', he tried stalling for a while 'Aidabad... has been a very convenient cover up for your operations as an Intelligence Officer and...'

'Huzoor...' sighed the young man 'worry not... nothing changes even if I shift base from Aidabad to Parnagarh... as your devoted soldier, I assure you that'

'But why not elsewhere? Bigger lands? With a more luxurious haveli? You'll have more horses and men too... Parnagarh will be wasteland soon... destroyed by the miners...'

'The miners would destroy 'some' of it... not 'all' of it, Huzoor... the valleys there have blown me away... excellent grazing grounds for our race horses...' he hurled a friendly nod at his Master, who he knew was also a fellow horse-enthusiast 'besides, I've met the Parnagarh men... they're efficient workers and loyal men... and they trust me... they'll be of better use to us alive, than dead!'

'Hmmm...' The Shehzaade rubbed his brows. It was becoming obvious that the Ustaad was trying to preserve what he could of Parnagarh and its people.

But with the Sahiba of Parnagarh gone, this request posed no real threat, did it?

If anything, the deal was beginning to sound quite promising - especially when coming from such an excellent businessman. 'Race horses? Income from loyal men? And the iron ores too? Profitable!'

Besides, Allah knew, if there was anyone deserving of such a promotion it WAS the Ustaad.

Yet, there was that niggling feeling at the back of his mind - as though there was still one question left unanswered...

'Huzoor? What do you have to say?'

'Ugh!' the prince grimaced. What an exhausting day to have such a dilemma sprung upon him! 'A promise is a promise' the prince would often boast. And now, when time came to follow up on his promise, he realised how tough it was! 'Fine!'

'It seems you are not happy, Huzoor... is it because you are not sure Shehenshah would approve of this decision?'

'Shehenshah?' The Shehzaade's stares narrowed into hard glares 'Parnagarh is MY province... I will choose my officers...'

'Huzoor, but what if Shehenshah wished to appoint one of his men instead?'

'NO ONE will override my decisions... not even the Shehenshah!'

Akbar appeared confused 'But...'

'Ustaad!' he agitatedly crunched his fists 'I am heir to the Mughal throne... are you doubting my authority?'

'I didn't mean to...'

'Kareem...' Shehzaade clicked his fingers as loud as a whip 'bring me my writing desk and my official seal...'

He waited for the attendants to clear away the dining arrangements and set up the writing desk in place of it.

Then, in a fit of impulse, he grabbed a scroll.

'I'm giving it to you in writing now...' he started penning down his promissory note 'unfortunately we'd need the Shehenshah's seal later to complete the final formalities... but this is good as gold...' Once done, he stamped his seal, rolled up the scroll and passed it on to the man at the other end. 'The old man cannot oppose my word... and the courtiers wouldn't even dare to!'

Having put up a cocky display of his authority, the prince slowly tilted his shoulders forward, his posture growing very intimidating 'But remember, you will serve ONLY ME... if I find your loyalties wavering, the consequences will be severe!'

Masterful Negotiation - Step by step annihilation of SH's Intentions - Sure shot way of not only protecting Sahiba but even the people and fields. AMK has a higher purpose and nobler thoughts - He should be a King and Heera Queen.

'Thank you, Huzoor...' The young man received the scroll with warmth in his gazes. On the inside though, a cold rush had just gushed through his veins - dousing every fire and flame that'd been scorching him from within for so long - the scorching flames of unrest and anxiety, of distress and anger.

😆

The prince folded his arms across his chest, more baffled than he was a moment ago 'Which family are you referring to? And I don't understand... who's going to want to harm your family?'

'There are brutes out there Huzoor, doing exactly that...'

'Brutes? Wh... who? Khalil?'

'Yes, Huzoor...'

'Unbelievable!' Shehzaade's eyes suddenly widened, as it hit him 'You ARE doing this for her... you think you'll save the Sahiba? You think you'll catch up with Khalil? After all this while?'

How can SH ask even such a question after knowing both well for so long ? The guy is acting nuts at times. Khalil to match AMK in any department ? No way.

'I will, Huzoor...'

Sabash AMK . There you go...,

The young man's confidence was unnerving.

😡

'What am I missing?' the prince snarled 'Since when did Harka Sahiba become your family?'

Akbar let his eyes smile. Just for a moment.

'She will become family Huzoor... when I make her my bride...'

👏❤️