NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~THREAD 32~Chapter 37-UPD JUN 28th - Page 37

Originally posted by: Bindu.

45 pages already? I've very lil time for IF and missing so many things here..😭

Originally posted by: lashy

Why dear 😭

Good Night Periyamma and Rose 🤗

The main Malaysian fare we have here (and tasted) is the Malay peanut satay curry! 😛

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Heera's thoughts...

" Ma Bhavani, what had happened to me? Why am I not able to think or write coherently even after trying several times? Why do I feel that all the incidents happened in my life today hover over me and choke me?..

After returning to the haveli I reminisced the day's events at least a hundred times ...

Everything was normal till we reached the valley.. I was feeling sorry for him for spending so much of his precious time simply to show me something.. Was he crazy? I thought..What an idiotic scene I would have presented when I tried to climb on the saddle.. Poor man..he stood patiently till I was successful in my attempt. But I saw he enjoyed the scene in his mind..May be he'll show it outwardly when I fully learn to ride on a horse..

I had so many questions in my mind.. How does he know about these terrains? Had he been here before? I saw some newly erected big sheds on the way.. What are they for?..Is something going on in my lands without my knowledge? I was afraid to ask him ..Suddenly I remembered, "Don't ask questions for which you wouldn't like the answers.." When will this journey end? When will this awkward silence be broken?

When we reached the valley, I slid down on my own, avoiding the help he offered.

I enjoyed his grin and how he managed to suppress it when I said " climbing was the tough part.. but I'm an expert in sliding down.." Even until then I didn't ask him why he brought me there..

Then he explained in detail about the plan to construct a canal across the plain..What a wonderful idea! In fact I myself used to have such idea to build a canal ...but was doubting about the feasibility.. But how well he explained about the place of origin, course of the channel and the areas that will be benefited ..O God! He is an expert.. I was moved when he even took the trouble to explain it to me by drawing the plan on the ground..He was very much interested in explaining the details and I admired his involvement in the whole affair..

I was curious to know about his personal likes and dislikes.. The conversation extended to a point when the whole scenario became hilarious..and the way he handled everything.!..I was feeling very tired..and my sight was also starting to give trouble..At last we started to leave.. Then I was feeling thirsty..

My water bag had become empty..He offered me his.. I was in a hurry to quench my thirst and I didn't notice the position of the spout..The water got into my nose and ...it choked my breath...I didn't know how long I was in that state..I understood that he panicked when I saw him rushing towards me.. I could very feebly hear him call me and ask me if I was alright..

When I opened my eyes, I saw that I was in his arms..He was clutching my cheeks and was blowing hardly on my face.. I felt as if my whole body was shaken for a moment and started to cough bringing out all the water that went into the wrong tract..My God! It was like a second birth for me... I was holding his tunic tightly for fear of falling down again .. My eyes were filled with tears..He looked anxiously at me and asked why ...

What could I reply to him?

I was still holding his shoulders strongly and he came to me very close...

At the moment I could do nothing but to remain as a statue..

I couldn't define my emotions at that time...

I didn't know the reason for my tears..

He came very near me and uttered the consoling words.."Ill protect you..I'll never let you suffer.. Trust me Heera.."

I couldn't absorb his words as they were..My mind was like the whirlpool..I still couldn't forget his words about his loyalty towards his Prince ...the way he got me into the marriage alliance with him showing the safety of Parnagarh and its people as reason...his clever manipulation of using the ladoos I gave him as memento. to gain entry to Parnagarh for the farmaan ...why.. even today, how he asked me to deal with my messengers..

And now he comes and says that he will protect me...

But then, I was so confused and unprepared as I had been getting the shocks one after the other.. I was speechless.. I couldn't talk coherently.. I was still not convinced about his words.. I was sad and hurt at the same time..

I am yet to come out of the hurt he has given me.. But at the same time I couldn't deny the fact that I am attracted towards him ...I wouldn't yield to the temptation like I had today.. I have already a bitter experience at the canal bank in Aidabad..on the day of my departure..

So I wanted to tell him that I was not ready to give the reason for my tears...But in the state of confusion I blurted out "Please leave me..don't force me.." I meant to say, "Please don't force me for an answer..."

Immediately I realised what effects my words would have on him and wanted to explain myself..

He obviously looked hurt...

But in reply he said, "Sahiba, I forced you.. I will force you when it is a matter of life and death..when it is a matter of your own safety.." He could have left it there..

But he continued.." I did not force you to come to the races or bet on my horses.. I did not force you to giggle or laugh..I do not force your beats to quicken whenever I approach you..and I did not forcefully hold you captive in my arms now either..

Similarly I would not force you to lie with me solely because we are wedded by law.. if that is what you are afraid of.."

How cruel he was ...his sarcasm...

I wanted to clear his misunderstanding but I could only stammer..

He wasn't prepared to listen to my explanations..

He said he will be leaving Parnagarh and be away for a few days...

Why?

Why was I feeling the twitch in my heart when he left?

Why can't I not think about him?

Doesn't he have good qualities?

Is he not kind and softhearted towards me?

Above all, doesn't he love me?

Why is his figure still lingering in my mind?

Karkuzhali.

Originally posted by: lghosh

Hello, Salaam, Namaste mere Sahibas!! 🤗

I have learnt to say NEVER say never!! What did I see? Author Sahiba going THUD!! 😲😆 Lashy was it my type of THUD? 😉 The Head Under Disorientation type? 😆 Come aboard! Hopefully you had a cushion before you went THUD! I under no circumstances want to see that unparallel brain damaged in any way! 😃

Originally posted by: Bindu.

No free time during office hours and also reached home late..

Originally posted by: Tilottamaa

Looks like quite a few people are around! 😛

Bindu di, what does "naadhve" and "dhwaja" mean? 😛

Lana di, if your dp isn't fatafati, then nothing is! 😉

Shruti... Why wouldn't people pull your cheeks, when your doubts and descriptions are so cheek pull worthy! Very sweet write up! 😛

Now off to Lavanya di's poems and Patti's musings... Good Night, Everyone! 😊

Originally posted by: lashy

Ohoo... will the weekend treat you better then? 🤗

Originally posted by: Bindu.

🤗

Hopefully..waiting for Sunday!

Originally posted by: Sabdabhala

I AM NOW READY WITH PART 2

AS I SAID EARLIER, IT IS NOT REALLY A POEM, IT IS AN EFFORT TO BIND IN RHYME THE LOVELY STORY THAT LASHY HAS CREATED

I ALSO WANT TO SAY HOW HAPPY I AM WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT, EVEN THOUGH SEVERAL OF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND HINDI

AJNABI PART 2

VARSHON PEHLE SHAHENSHAH NE JAARI KIYA THHA EK FARMAAN KI

MANSABDAAR KE MARANOPARAANT BETIYAAN SAMBHAALEINGI PARNAGARH KI KAMAAN

(Several years earlier, the Shahenshah had decreed through a Farmaan that even after the Mansabdaar's death, Parnagarh will remain under the reign of his two daughters)

AAJ BHI SHAHENSHAH NE WOHI DOHRAAYA KI PARNAGARH KO KOI NA CHHEDE

PAR SHEHZAADE KE KUTIL DIMAAG MEIN UMAD AAYE KHAYAAL TEDHE TEDHE

(Even today the Shahenshah repeated the order that Parnagarh was to be left alone. But, alas, the wily Shehzaade's mind was quick to catch on to several thoughts, each more ignoble than the other)

TANIK DER NA USNE LAGAAYI, JHAT BULAYA KHALIL KO APNE NIKAT

'CHHEEN KE LAO WO FARMAAN, CHAAHE SAMASYA HO KITNI VIKAT'

(He wasted not a moment, and immediately called Khalil and despatched him the find the Farmaan and seize it for him, however tough it would be to get it)

KHALIL KA VIDHWANS BAHUT KROOR THHA, KI SAB SEEMAAYEIN USNE PAAR

CHHEEN LIYA FARMAAN BHI USNE, BIN JAANE KI WO THHA BEKAAR

(Khalil's act of violence was grotesque and limitless. He snatched the Farmaan not knowing that it was a fake and a useless document)

DURGA BAISA SHAURYAVAAN THHI, GUNVATI BHI THHI AUR THHI SHAATIR

ANTH SAMAY TAK KHOOB LADI WO, APNI GARIMA KI KHAATIR

(Durga Baisa was valiant, talented and clever. She fought till her last breath to save her honor)

DO KSHAN SMARAN KAREIN DURGA KO, KEHTA HAI HUM SABKA MAN

SHAT SHAT SHEESH NAVAA KAR HUM SAB US VEERAANGANA KO KAREIN NAMAN

(Let us all pause here for a couple of moments remembering Durga. Let us all bow and pay our respects to this brave and valiant lady)