Originally posted by: lashy
With her permission, I'm typing out what we spoke.
Shyamala Periyamma said that she liked both - 49 and 50, but couldn't get herself to read it twice (unlike the rest that she apparently does) because it was too distressing for her to do so.
And of all the scenes, the one that she found most depressing, was the one where Heera was abandoned by her maids, and had to pull the trunk out by herself.
'I've often claimed that I would like to take out my slipper and show someone/some character the stout end of it... but this time, I REALLY did want to do so to those maids... what is the point of faith, when you don't stand by them during their direst times? I would rather have a person like the messenger who had such faith in his baisa that he gave up his life for her, rather than these maids who wouldn't so much as help her pull a trunk when she needed it most!'
I tried explaining how it was 'shock' and that they really just needed more time to process something as drastic as this - that times were different then...
But Periyamma wouldn't be convinced. She was absolutely livid with them (including Gauri) and I really had a hearty laugh listening to her choicest words of anger against them! 'Chattar pattar... they flock around her, wasting everyone's time and chattering away... when time came to step up, they did nothing. If Heera ever thinks of forgiving them, I'll give her one too!' She blasted them! 🤣
It was funnier in Tamil 'Kekke pikke nnu yeppo paarthaalum iluchindu sirrichindu nippal... yeppo velai seyyanumo, appo thimiru paaru!'
She said this was one of the reasons she didn't read the chapter again - because it was giving her a high BP!
She understands the stance of the Shehzaade - though she found it odd that he still needed Khalil and was ready to overlook his crimes - seeing how he was a religious man. That conversation led to the Akbar-Adham Khan discussions and how Shehzaade was angrier with AMK because AMK's supposed 'crime' was against him (unlike Khalil's)
Had a good time dissecting Mahendar, Farooq Sahib and Shehzaade. She likes them all for what they contribute to the story. She was all praise for the leads and the manner that they are carrying themselves through the situation. She felt especially sorry for Heera during the court scene 'Imagine her state... she doesn't know what to say... how to say... no one to guide her... unenviable position to be in'
And she had words of praise for the way Akbar managed to keep a level-head despite 21 days of solitary confinement. 'You need special training and skills to be able to do that... and Akbar is no ordinary man!'
She called Heera 'adorable' ''the life of Akbar' and said 'it's impossible to find this sort of love in today's world'... and 'they perfectly complement each other in every way' (Her words were slightly different, but it's the general gist)
She was appreciative of the overall content & plot... but said that even more than plot, she enjoys the writing-style immensely (though she pointed out that there were a few grammar/syntax errors here and there)😊
Of course, she went back to her favourite scene with the Strangler, which she loved... and her non-favourite scene around Durga's death which she still can't stand! 😆
By the end, she mentioned about noticing the 'reducing readership' I did respond that it was discouraging, but that I'll see this to the end.
'Don't get discouraged... the readers you have now are the ones who'll stick with you for the content... this is the core part of your entire story... deliver it well and it'll end well' was her message!
Of course there was more... but this is what I'm able to recall 🤔
😳
