NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~THREAD 40-Chapter 45(2 part) 11th Feb - Page 2

Originally posted by: lashy

Sorry in advance for the delays and for everything else 😔

Going to read Part-2.😳

Originally posted by: --cute.manasi--

Congratulations for new thread...🤗

'the prince of Manswar WILL regret the way he treated you'

Dear Writer-e-Khaas,

It has been a looong time since I have been able to come to the forum (since Chapter 43 to be precise); although, during this lapse, you know I have been keeping close touch with the journey of Harka and Akbar.

So, let me try to make up for lost ground and try to bring to life the journey I saw you take us through the last few months.

But, this journey is not only of the last few weeks, but a journey that started long before from when Harka and Akbar first met in Aidabad.

Since then we have seen an unknotting- an unknotting of emotions, fears, love, and insecurities that were all bundled and tied up by what life had thrown to Harka and Akbar.

(1) How did we first begin to see the unknotting? It was in Chapter 43, thanks to our dear Chachajaan, that Harka was able to unknot the strong, metallic armour of the Ustaad and see the young, vulnerable, weakened boy whose savior in many ways was the Shehzaade.

Overall, to me, Chapter 43 was one of churning and untangling. Out of this churning, what emerged was Akbar's truth- that despite Akbar's loyalty to the Shehzaade, when Harka unknotted his heart, all she found was herself.

(2) And Harka's hands that were once knotted behind her, afraid to reach out to Akbar, were now stretched towards him. And that was shown beautifully in your new cover montage, eyes and hands both reaching out towards Akbar. And without delay, in an uncertain future, Harka unknotted the heart she had tied up in fear of the Ustaad and shared her feeings of love with Akbar.

And continuing with the chapter's theme of churning, it was now Akbar's turn to churn through and internalize what Harka now knew and accepted about him.

(3) And with her confession of love, Akbar's life which had been knotted up in focused duty towards Shehzaade, finally let go. A person who had never put his personal life first, finally put his journey with Harka first. And given this was no easy unknotting, I liked how it gradually happened ... first, Akbar asked Ibrahim for a few minutes. Then, he surprised all with his change of plans- that he would join Ibrahim in his journey in the morning as another journey with Harka awaited him first.

Yet, while Akbar was ready for his new journey and was beginning to internalize that Harka was accepting him, there were still a few knots to untangle for him to be completely released from the past.

(4) What followed was another deeper unknotting. Of a heart hidden behind the knots, of an Akbar tormented by the demons of the past that you introduced us to in Chapter 14.

Particularly, at that time, "He undid the first knot. And then the second, revealing a taut chest that possibly cradled a heart somewhere in it. " And in that Chapter 14, when the knots opened- Akbar could not even bear to see the reflection of himself in the mirror- "the images in them would invariably show him reality - a physique bearing traces of long-lasting bruises and scars - of which sadly, only a few scars had been sustained in battle. The rest...

Yet, now, 30 chapters later, he wanted Harka, as the mirror of his soul, to open up these knots and see those scars through the pure reflection of her eyes. Her love healing and melting the taut shield and truly cradling his heart.

And so knot after knot unfolded, as Harka and Akbar went on a journey "towards oneness.

(5) And with Chapter 45, there are now more knots to unfold. The biggest knotted secret being Mahendar and his intentions. The informer untangled the first thread and then it was Harka who unfolded the harrowing experience she faced with Mahendar. Except now, she was not in the grasp of Mahendar's ill-intentioned gazes and words but in the protective hold of Akbar. And we all know that now that Akbar knows his true colors, the kunwarsa will pay indeed. More on Chapter 45 to follow.

So, Writer-e-Khaas, what a beautiful journey of unknotting that you have taken us ... how beautifully your story unwinds one word at a time. In a way, I am glad I delayed the take because I could share how I saw the whole journey come together.

(Side note: I was super excited that I somehow sensed this vibe of an Akbar torn between leaving for his duty and being with Harka and referred to it in my mini-OS)

And as you always ask me, I will give my suda suda reactions to Chapter 45. To me, my first reaction was a fast paced "game of wits and strength and it had the tempo of one too.

(1) It starts with Ibrahim and the informer, surrounded by three pawns waiting to attack them. They felt they were in trouble, only to have Akbar make an arrival as the timely savior.

(2) Akbar the astute khiladi, using everything from hukkah as a ploy, plots their escape. But one evil pawn, seems to have a check mate grip on his neck only to have Akbar outplay not only him but his companion as well.

(3) And with the new information, Akbar now begins to see a new player in the board. Khalil had always been known and now confirmed, but this new Kunwarsa was the the missing link to finish the game.

(4) And Akbar had a hunch of who it was, but needed his begum to finish the incomplete picture of the Kunwar of Manswar. Now, that the opponent was within clear aim there was no saving him. Akbar had the upper hand, or so it seemed.

(5) But, there was a pawn unknown to himself and Akbar, that was working for the opponent. Harka's loyal man waiting to tell the Manswar the "truth , only the contents of "truth and the "enemy had changed without his knowing. So, will Mahendar soon have an upper hand on Akbar?

Who will be the surprise scorpion to attack? How will Akbar's hand now save Harka? That is what is to be seen. (Writer-e-khaas, when Akbar had saved Harka from an unexpected scorpion attack, you had said this was symbolic. I have always been waiting for what this scorpion attack was)

And what shall I say about the beautiful interactions between Harka and Akbar, it reminded me of the song "Mudhalvane from Mudhalvan, where our hero and heroine find some cherished moments for themselves amidst the ungy snakes and games around them. Thanks as always Writer-e-Khaas for an engrossing chapter.