NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~THREAD 24~CHAPTER 29 upd 10th MAR - Page 9

Originally posted by: divyavm

Writer-e-khaas,

Does each chapter out-do itself or is it that each chapter builds so beautifully on the prior that each chapter becomes part of a running favorite? Or, in other words, the whole story has become my favorite? Likely the latter.

If the last chapter saw raw tension, the tension continued to simmer here. There was physical tension aplenty- the grasp of the wrists, the resistance, the heated momets, the attacks of knife and emotions, "the edge of his jaw that brushed her ear", the closer breaths. And, can I say the final "Adab" brought back a flutter of the first "Adab" after the feast. After all, it was still the intriguing Akbar that stood before Harka and us.

Yet, what simmered even more to the front in this chapter was the internal tensions and pain of our leads. They were each facing their own denials and conflicts, but what emerged from this churn seemed a common path forward for how these wounds will heal and the ray of hope that I as a reader was looking for.

Akbar: He was consumed by an internal battle that was cutting his heart into pieces; he wanted to show his truth, but was realizing more and more how steep his mountain of lies was. He wanted to release the burden of his guilt, but not at the cost of burdening her more. He wanted to save Harka from pain, but discovered how deep the pain was that he had inflicted. The chapter was very much an emotional journey for him to try to get Harka to turn his way. The highlight for me was the different approaches he took with Harka during his emotionl journey; my take focuses on key moments for me, written as if in Akbar's words:

1. The pain and concern. What was the pain that was greater? Was it the bleeding of my heart, the bleeding from your attacks, or the blood of your hands from the rough edges of the knife? It was only your pain at the fore. Yet, my words of concern rang false to your ears.

2. The attempted catharsis. How could I save you from the pain and anger bottled up inside you? I offered myself in silence to vent your every anger with both knife and word. Yet, even that catharsis was viewed with annoyance and frustration.

3. The momentary respite. When all seemed lost, I was gifted a moment of respite. Destiny gave me a chance to support you during your dizzy spell. Yet, with the cold water you splashed on your face, you also wiped away that momentary breath of air from me.

(Side note: this may be my favorite line of this chapter - "Maybe it was spurred by the subconscious belief that she needed him to support herself - even if only temporarily." I felt it reflected the story to come- that he will support her whether she asks for it or not and destiny would give him that chance)

4. The emotional rationality. When my impatience was doing no good, I tried to entreat to the rationality of your heart- how I had never behaved like Khalil, how I had never wanted to be a Mansabdar before, how I had calloused every part of me to find you. Yet, nothing stacked up to the lies that you counted beyond the fingers of your hands.

5. The tact. When my lies and I still stood a stranger in front of you, I turned to your own words. Parnagarh, and saving its people. Using me for your gain; as your words accused me of doing. Now, when I retreated from you with an "Adab", I had finally discovered space and Parnagarh were the path to heal.

----

Harka: was going through her own major battle of heart and mind, between the Akbar she knew and the stranger she saw in front of her. And while, she did not make it apparent, there were definitely a few chinks in the armour of new-found hatred for him as she saw glimpses of the Akbar of Aidabad. My take on the moments that stood out, in Harka's own words:

1. Who was this enemy that doesn't even break the glass of my bangles with his strength?

2. Who was this enemy that offered his blood without a flinch? And this is only the blood I could see, not the blood his heart was shedding within.

3. Who was this enemy that showed how he had calloused his hands to find me but my heart was too callused by betrayal to acknowledge his toils?

4. Who was this enemy that had saved me from my own moment of weakness as not a knife or drop of poison was remaining in my reach?

5. Who was this enemy that seemed to be the only path to save the very Parnagarh I feel he has endangered?

----

In the end of the chapter, Harka sets out to save her people, her Parnagarh. It will be only a matter of time before she realizes that Akbar will be her pillar of support in this journey.

Hence, at the end of the chapter, all roads leads to Parnagarh, a road of recovery for both our Akbar and Harka. I am quite excited the moments that this road trip will bring. I hope I am right :)

I am also excited by moments I feel you foreshadowed throught the chapter- the day when she will listen to his journey as a "introduce her to a sick abused deserted hungry little 11 year old boy" and the time when she will see his love for Parnagarh reflecting his love for her.

I am ready writer-e-khaas for what's next! Thanks again for a beautiful, engaging chapter.

Originally posted by: roseraja1915

@ Shruthi

This time no questions ... She showed some mercy,me too showing some 😉😆

One good turn deserves another! 👏 👏

Originally posted by: Bindu.

Divya and Anusha,

You always have something different to offer, loved ur views on the chapter. Brilliant, as always! 👏👏

Originally posted by: --Vrinda--

throught the starting part i was imagining the scene...

Originally posted by: ..Anusha..

Kal, where is your take/review? Did I miss it ?... 🤔 . I read Bindu's and Sandhya's.

Bindu, I don't know how you summarised that emotional rollercoaster so well... I just couldn't travel through it all in my take. As I said, first reading I was lost. 😆 Second reading I began to ... see the brilliance of our author again. And I am only happy when I recognise my fav author Lashy's top form.

Originally posted by: luvuyuvi

Shruti, this paragraph is so painfully superb but unfortunately true...loved your comments. You're a star girl⭐️⭐️⭐️

>>>Thanks Akanksha 🤗

@ harshu di, your musings are brilliant as always👏👏, especially first one...but missing your PB updates, but I understand you are busy😛

>>>me too

Originally posted by: Bindu.

Beautiful and touching review, Shruti! ⭐️

Originally posted by: Kalgi22

You can't call it as a review. That's why you missed it.😆 it's on p4. At least this time I've to write something. Will try on Monday.😆