NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~THD 37~Chapter 42 - Upd 2nd Dec - Page 91

Originally posted by: Sandhya.A

EPISODE - 11

Outside the Kali Mandir

"It has been a pleasant visit here. Now we should be returning to Uncle's house now"

" I have another request Sahiba. Will you accompany me to the fair this evening. One of the page boys at the celebrations urged me to show him a trick before i left, as he was appointed tomorrow to serve a guest expected tonight and wouldn't be free tomorrow. I promised to meet him at the fair and show him how mini khanjars are deftly handled. Perhaps i could make him reveal about the visitor. And you could join me at other times to avert suspicion from anyone."

"Sure Azeez"

"And you could help me select a gift for Kuki. I promised her one." Azeez smiled warmly.

At the library office in Parnagarh Haveli

Khan Sahib was standing with his elbows resting on the top of an ornate recliner like chair, his brows knotted and expressions intent as he spoke.

"Tampered flowers! And Mustafa too had smelt the ones in the passage just outside my chambers a little before he felt dizzy! He should have known better! Soldiers are supposed to expect danger anytime from anywhere!"

"True. He was apologetic when I questioned him. He has assured that he would be careful even with flowers henceforth."

"Who is in charge of decorations? "

" Gauri. And Heera Sahiba has assured that her loyalty is unquestionable. She allots the job to different maids. She doesn't remember exactly about the other day when Mustafa was unwell. But this morning she had asked the stable maid to take some from the just arrived bunches for the new decorative stand in the stables. The girl too had selected the bunch randomly and was tempted to smell it before placing it on the stand. She lost consciousness when she did."

" Which means it could have been meant for anyone else as well!"

"Yes Akbar"

"And the flowers were from..."

"A flower farm owned by Kalgiakka. But the Haveli has received decorative flowers from the farm for quite some years."

"I would like you have someone keep an eye on the farm and the lady. And others involved in the delivery as well. And perhaps we should stop the purchase of flowers from any farm till the matter is cleared."

"I'll see to that. And should we question Kalgiakka?"

" If necessary."

Just then both of them turned to the door that opened quickly. Heera bustled in with vigour and just behind her was her maid who carried a corked bottle on a tray.

" Mirza Bhaijaan, this concotion is a good antidote..."

Heera was stopped short by the presence of the man who seemed to electrify the room he stood in.

"Khan Sahib, i didn't know you were back" Heera's voice was saturated with admiration and coyness even without her being aware of it.

"I was just back and Ibrahim wanted to update me on the happenings here. I meant to call on you soon after."

Ibrahim was pleasantly surprised to see the softening of those eyes that were steely and intent, just a few minutes ago and recalled his Rosejaan's words "true love melts and softens even the hardest rock. The human heart hardly stands a chance!"

"May be i should leave..." suggested Mirza.

"No Ibrahim. There is another matter i wish to discuss with you. I'll meet you in the balcony outside my chamber soon Sahiba."

At the fair

Lana was fumbling through the silks at the shop which was busier than usual due to the bustling visitors at the fair. She had selected a pretty pink and was waiting for Azeez. It had been quite some time since he left.

"Beautiful choice. This is exactly why i wanted you here Sahiba. I might not have managed it myself"

Azeez dropped in from behind.Lana smiled and draped it lightly on her shoulders, " how does it look"

Soon they were among the crowds again, Azeez pleased with his purchase for his darling girl.

"What did the boy say?"

Azeez drew nearer and whispered, " They are going to have a guest from Manswar tomorrow. I should try not to draw much attention tomorrow because..."

Azeez paused midway for he thought he saw a glint of golden tresses from amongst the crowds. He walked in the direction, No, his Kuki couldn't be here.

"How do you like our fair Jamaisa?" came a voice from behind. "Hoping to see more of you here after your marriage with our beti."

It was the sweet shop owner whom he had befriended at the celebrations. and who had treated him to several delicacies where his sweets were a clear favourite.

"Sure bhaya"

Azeez was still thinking about the golden tresses. What if it was her? Ustad's trained man who could face a dozen men in a combat, shuddered at the thought.

At the library office in Parnagarh...

"His name is Jaswant. It has been a couple of days since he dropped in, actually he dropped in the morning after you left. Seems the quite workish types. Sticks to his chambers in the mornings and leaves out after lunch to have a look around the place, since he had nothing to do in your absence. Is polite, well mannered and well educated."

"I also sent one of our men to make inquiries in his place Ibrahim. His is from a family of builders with a good reputation. They have handled houses and mansions, but canal building is a different league altogether. I'll meet him tomorrow to see how capable he is."

"One more thing Akbar, Afzal our stable boy looked very worried in the morning when the fainting happened. In the evening I saw him slip out surreptitiously and followed him. He went to a house with golden zerguls in the garden. Knocked at the door and came back when nobody answered. The house is occupied by a girl called Kuki who has been absent since morning. This happened just a short while ago and I haven't questioned Afzal yet."

"Call him in" Ustad's voice sounded barely audible, yet the sharpness could't be missed.

At a small inn...

Kuki was distraught. Her Azeez was being called Jamaisa at the Peanut farm owner's uncle's place. Their marriage was an expected event here. by everyone. He promised her gifts and was gifting expensive silks to that Businesswali. He was singing songs with her happily. And whispering into her ears at the fair. There was no Khan Sahib or any other work around.

.

.

He had lied to her. About this trip. About everything.

.

.

"I'll not allow you to get away with this Shah Sahib. You'll have to answer my questions tomorrow. She sounded doubly determined.

In Parnagarh late evening

Kalgiakka was more distraught. Chameli Chachi had given her that scary piece of information on her way home.

"Some of your flowers have been tampered with. Some medicines sprayed on it that makes one faint if smelt. The stable maid had a bad episode with the flowers. I know that you are a very nice girl. Be careful about what happens at your farm. Today i heard the Mansabdar and his man talking that they may inquire you if needed."

"Why question me? I have been sending flowers for quite sometime." , a shocked Kalgiakka blurted.

"I don't know. I only heard that part when i entered the office chamber with Heera Sahiba."

Kalgiakka was upset. Her friend was not in town either. She was supposed to have been out with the Mansabdar. Wonder why she wasn't back when he was. She would have been a pillar of support and she knew many at the Haveli.

"How is the queen of courage so silent today" came a voice from behind. It was Jaswant.

"Oh you! How is that you always come my way?"

"May i say the same madam. I am afterall a stranger here trying to have an idea of the place. And every time i take a walk, you cross my path"

"I am in no mood for an argument today." Kalgiakka increased the pace of her steps.

"Are you worried about the flowers episode at the haveli?"

Kalgiakka stopped and turned around to face him.

"How do you know?"

" You are forgetting that right now i am stationed at the haveli and the whole place was abuzz with this. I heard the servants mention that the Kalgiakka farm flowers were tampered with."

Kalgiakka looked more worried.

Jaswant felt sorry for the sudden downheartedness of the high spirited girl. He wondered if he could proceed to console her, but held back. Instead he assured her in a kind voice "You shouldn't allow such talks to affect you. Zergul flowers are found at many places. It could be any of those as well that made their way into the Havili along with yours. For instance there were many in the garden of the house you peeped into yesterday. There is no point in feeling down. You should face the situation bravely."

Kalgiakka smiled."Lana would have told me the same if she were present here. Thank you sir."

"Lana who..."

"My best friend. She has a peanut farm across and has many friends at the haveli. We are friends from childhood. "

Jaswant suddenly seemed very interested in Kalgiakka's story.

He smiled pleasantly, "Do go on."

Originally posted by: Kalgi22

*Edited and removed.. as per kal di's demand* 😉 🤣

Originally posted by: Kalgi22

Oh no Muskaan please edit your post..🤣

Originally posted by: swetiii

Okay 🤣

Originally posted by: Sandhya.A

Bad luck Chellam. I happened to read it before Muskaan edited it.😈🤣

Originally posted by: swetiii

🤣

Originally posted by: Kalgi22

Originally posted by: Kalgi22

Naan pass aayten... 🥳