NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~THREAD 27~CHAPTER 32 -upd 20 APR - Page 88

This time, even the announcer was dumbstruck - and had to be prompted by the Lady to continue.

.. the Sahib has assured me that we carry on working, living, eating and praying here, as we always have... nothing changes!'

She cast a hard glance at the young man, after having put him in the spot 'Isn't it true, Sahib?

Heera, the strategist!👏👏

Besides, the potted plant at the doorway held his gaze for a blink - it was the beautiful rose shrub that he'd felt quite guilty about prodding and poking during his search for the Farmaan.

The plant had actually bounced back to life - its flowers fresher than ever 'Thank you...' A flash of contentment shone in his eyes.

This is another very clever piece of writing.👏

During the farmaan hunt, i was wondering why there was elaboration on his tryst with the rose plant and the prick it gave him, as it had nothing to do with the secret hiding place at all. The guilt he felt while disturbing it, practically uprooting it to succeed in his mission, the prick, and now the lushness of the plant is symbolic. It must have assuaged his guilt giving him hope that his love that he had dented and damaged could thrive and flourish like the rose plant.😳

So much so, that the traditionalists began sympathising towards the Kunwarsa of Manswar, ready to overlook the prince's misdeeds.

It is lines such as these that add dollops of realism to the story. Even today when there are stray incidents of honour killing, had there been no resentments it would have sounded utopian. The division of opinion in the people was the most natural thing and inclination towards the swine too a distinct possibility in some.😡

Heera stood like a lone pebble on the seashore - moving with the tide, be it a gentle current or a stormy wave - her inner grief drowned under the crucial obligation to keep-up appearances, over and over again.

How very touching!😭

Nor did she forget how he'd returned the favour by spying on her troupe.

😒

'I've seen the look you had in your eyes at Aidabad, whenever his name was mentioned... and... and I haven't seen that look again, ever since you've returned...'

Now, this is Gauri, the perceptive.👏

I thought you would be only too happy to welcome him back, after everything he's done to make up for his mistakes!'

Gauri, still not convinced. A small nag that spots her Baisa's difference in behavior.😛

About to be wedded by next evening, the feeling was a funny one to describe.

Again, perfectly in sync with Khan Sahib's portrayal so far. Had he enjoyed the affair it would have been unusual.

I've been meaning to mention this since I saw you, a week ago... you remind me of someone...' he turned to his fellowmen for suggestions 'I can't recall who it is though... '

Lashy, share your badams with him please.😆

Masks her sorrow with a smile'

Akbar wasn't surprised. After all, these were meant to be the most special days in a girl's life. But for the Sahiba, it was effectively ruined - making it the worst week of her life. What was worse, this was one nasty reality he would never be able to rectify.

'She masks her sorrows with a smile... but, that is only because she doesn't know my son... a time will come when she does... and then she'll realise that there is no one on Earth who could care for her better than my son could!'

He wiped his eyes.

👏

Isn't this the jist of Part 3?😳