Khan Sahib stepped forward to say something but his face clouded at the sight of her anxiety wrought face.
"Are you alright Ms.Peanuttaker? You look worried."
"I'm fine, thankyou...did you retrieve the papers."
"Not yet. We combed through five rooms and were at the last that held a safe. It contained many papers and documents and were searching for our paper when you signalled us to quit." Khan Sahib's face resumed its seriousness.
Lana swallowed hard. "Actually...perhaps i was wrong to..."
"No, you were absolutely right. There was someone on the other side and we just had time to close the safe and move out. It was a close call. I was surprised that
you managed to see him from where you stood. I looked up as i moved down the stairs and understood that you must have spotted his shadow. You alerted us just on time. Azeez has always called you most dependable and trustworthy. I now see that he is right."
Khan Sahib smiled genially at her and added, " Even in future, if i require an efficient dependable person, i can count on you."
Lana felt weak in her knees. She simply wanted to run forward towards the man into his arms and thank him for not taking her to task for her folly.
She just managed a meek "The pleasure is mine Khan Sahib. May i leave..." She was struggling to control her tears that threatened to break dam at any moment.
"A moment please madam. Since we now know the exact location, we would retrieve the paper soon enough. Sayyid and i may leave to Parnagarh soon after. But i would request that Azeez and you stay till the day after tomorrow till the festival ends, and further if your uncle insists. Azeez i gather has rather become quite popular here and his absence will be sorely missed and doubted upon. And i wouldn't deprive him of the festive food for another day, for his services. That is of course if it is okay with you."
Lana simply nodded, finding it hard to find her voice. And ran down the stairs as fast as her weak legs would take her.
At Kuki's house
Kuki stared out of her windows. The trees and flowers that seemed very beautiful only this afternoon looked revolting now. She recollected the various times Azeez's behavior had been strange and she had overlooked. The quick shoving of papers into his pouch and laughing it off, the cancellation of promised meetings only to be spotted somewhere else, the sudden disappearance for days on end and appearing with flowers or her favorite laddus. He worked for the Mansabdar at the haveli. The Mansabdar was a horse trader and ran races. Then why the secretive behavior? Could they all be related to that lady of the mansion. She had to find out. This cannot go on. This time she will see for herself what he was upto.
Kuki fought angry tears. "No Shah Sahib, you cannot take me for a ride again and again. I'm leaving the first thing in the morning." She was decided.
In Lana's room
Lana was fighting her tears too, but they were tears of relief. Relief that her folly rather than disrupt Khan Sahib, actually helped him. Relief that the grave looks were not because of his anger towards her, but because he had made an nth hour exit. Relief that she had not fallen in his eyes. Relief that she had ended up helping him inadvertently. She recollected his warm smile and fresh tears made way. What a gallant man! How lucky she was to be inhis company! He trusted her now and counted upon her. What if he gives her another important responsibility and she fumbles as was her habit! The tension slowly crept back into the girl.
The next morning at the Haveli
The sunrays were struggling with the stubborn curtains to enter the grand chamber to have a glimpse of the ethereal beauty that adorned the ornately designed four poster bed. The lady who stirred even the toughest hearts stirred slightly in her sleep and slowly opened her eyes to the wonders of the day!
But what was that! She thought she heard an unusual noise!
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