Teaser for Chapter 49
'Is it me or have the skies turned purpler?'
The two maids cast a short peep through one window. And then another peep through a second window - just to be sure.
'No baisa...' they exchanged a few frowns 'seems to be the same...'
She could sense the confusion in their sentences. 'It must be my blurry eyes... playing tricks on me...'
Replacing the veil over her head once more, she resumed her steps in the direction of the doorway - till she felt compelled to pause again.
'Dhani... Bindiya... do you feel that?'
'What baisa?'
'The Earth? The slight tremor of sorts...'
'Tremor?' This time the two maids did not even attempt to hide the signs of confusion in their voice.
'There are no such tremors, baisa...'
'Oh...' she mumbled under her breath 'Why am I imagining things, then?'
'Baisa... I'll tell you what you need... a long relaxing bath...'
'And a massage with the choicest herbs...'
'It should make you feel much better...'
'And put your mind at rest...'
Heera allowed her eyes to shut for a moment. 'You're probably right, ladies...'
'Baisaaa... Harka baisaaa...'
Two stormy howls came blowing into her chamber, all of a sudden - causing her already antsy self to spin around with a jolt. 'Bajrang banna?'
Grabbing a shawl she threw it around her shoulders and rushed out, into her waiting chamber.
'What is is, banna?'
'Khan Sahib's men have spotted some movement in the distance...'
'Mov... movement... wh...' the phrases came out painfully slow and hoarse - she could do with another mouthful of that fennel water now!
'Movement? What..what do you mean, banna?'
Quickly taking note of the fact that they were being closely watched by the maids, he slowed down, and lowered his pitch 'Troops... baisa... an entire regiment of troops'
'Troo...' a sudden quiver rattled through her words 'Troops approaching Parnagarh?'
'Hostile troops... from the capital...'
Troops? From the capital?
'Could they be Khalil's men?'
She grabbed at her stomach 'Ma Bhavani!' Her insides were beginning to twist and warp, as if someone had taken a knife to it 'What sort of troops, banna...do we know yet?'
'We are not certain yet... they are trying to find... to find out...' Bajrang banna had to pause, from a shaken lack of breath 'they are trying to find out... in the meanwhile, Mirza Sahib has asked that you immediately pack your belongings... and get ready to leave, if and when he gives the signal...'