NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~THREAD 48 - CHAPTER 53 - Page 138

Originally posted by: cute.manasi

😲

Originally posted by: lashy

why shocked...😛

Didn't think you saw the Shehenshah as someone absolutely incapable... that's why 😳😆

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

A couple of questions to refresh your memory..

1. When was the name "ustaad" first mentioned ?

>> kunwar's speech after durga's death (i hate him , i hate him , i hate...)

2. How do the following denominations of currency get the significance?

i. four dams:

>> price of AMK's water !

ii. 3 dams:

>> given to slave girl , hukkah joint .

iii. Two silver coins:

>>gafoor's brother's robbery .

iv. 60 silver coins:😭😭

Originally posted by: lashy

☺️

Ahem that man is something else though 😉

Originally posted by: lashy

Gauri briefly glimpsed down at barren air.

'I understand' Her fingers loosely picked up a tasseled ribbon. 'In fact, I understand him now... and a simple truth about his complex nature... that behind every thought, act and decision of his there lies ONE basic intention - YOUR welfare, Heera!'

Tying up the end of the braid securely, she replaced the veil back with a sigh 'In two day's time... it shall be 4 months since the date of your wedding, young bride!'

The rest of her sentence wasn't spelled out - but the thoughts in both their minds were the same. 'Memories so fond...'

How different would things have been had they been back, at Parnagarh!

'4 months' Melancholy spread a new hazy sheet over her porcelain features 'and in two days' time... he would have been celebrating his date of birth, according to the Islamic calendar... if...'

Originally posted by: lashy

Yes... on Tuesday calling all ladies home for the Puja so had to get stuff for that! 😳

Where's Sandy? 🤔

Originally posted by: lashy

'Settings' crossword

Answers

Across

1. Muslin kerchief (7) MEADOWS

2. Archery contest (11) FAIRGROUNDS

3. Red scorpion (6, 5) TEMPLE STEPS

5. Fruit and Rose sherbet (6, 5) HUKKAH JOINT

7. Tahar (5) ARENA

8. Zergul flower (7) GARDENS

9. Shehzaade rescue mission (6) DESERT

Down

1. The final laddu (6, 9) MARBLE STAIRCASE

4. Sing a song (7) STABLES

6. Topaz ring (7) TERRACE

Rekha, Chellam and Rose got a brilliant 10!

Manu and Sandy got a close 9!

Congrats to the winners!👏

Lavanya and Bindup great efforts da 👏

So there you go Rose... happy celebration with Bhaijaan! 🥳

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

HIDING BEHIND

A

STRANGER

A Historical Romance by Lashy.

(Abridged)

Part 1. THE TORNADO.

Chapter 9.

Getting Nearer..

In the Kitchen..

Hear O ladies, what's on my mind,

About the stable-boy Gafhoor, a creature so sly.

It was his luck that the young Sahib was kind,

For had his cruel punisher instead been I

His filthy hands and legs I'd tightly bind,

And break them ALL, till I heard him sob and cry

Patting the powder off her flour-dusted palms, the young maid crouched upon the floor, beside piles of greasy utensils and vegetable peelings. Her eager eyes sparkled bright, as her lips bit down upon the thin edges of her veil 'What do you think?'

'That was funny...' A volley of contagious chuckles ruffled throughout the kitchens 'Well done...'

'Another one?'

'Yes... can you come up with another one?' they asked, playing the perfect audience to Bindiya's parodies, although their experienced hands continued with the chores.

A few feet short of those kitchens, Heera stopped by in the adjacent corridors, where she'd been strolling to and fro while supervising the preparations. Setting her silk fan down to give her fingers a rest, she leaned over one of the windows, her flushed skin longing to be brushed by a stray drift of breeze.

A 'happy' trill in Bindiya's voice brought her attention to the conversations in the kitchen, and she decided to listen to the upcoming parody, before returning to her duties.

When the boastful Kotwal blamed us of the theft, his face would scowl and glower,

But when the coins were discovered in the boy's house, his expressions turned sour.

Not a single sensible statement did he make during the entire tense hour,

No wonder then, that Khan Sahib possesses over everyone else, such unquestionable power!

'No wonder then, that Khan Sahib possesses over everyone else, such unquestionable power!'

Heera pondered upon Bindiya's dramatic narration about the Sahib's mighty demonstration a while back in his main haveli...

* * *

In the main Haveli some time Back..

'WHAT's happening, here?'

'Baisa?' Immensely relieved by their mistress' arrival, a hopeful Bindiya and Gauri turned to face the entranceway - as did the rest of the members in that crowded chamber.

Once her eyes had focused upon the scenes, Heera stepped inside, cringing at what she'd deduced was going on. She had come, expecting to encounter some unpleasantness, but this was horrendous! Bindiya lay at the Sahib's feet, her hands and clothes defiled by something resembling black ink marks - while Gauri was being harassed by a group of bullies 'Bindiya stand up... Gauri come here by my side...' she ordered, and the two ladies did as told - only too relieved to seek shelter under her protective shadow 'What was happening here?'

'Sahiba...' the Kotwal slowly answered 'your maids have been accused of thieving'

The young lady darted the chief a steady stare 'Kotwal Sahib... had I been called earlier, I would've saved you time by vouching for their integrity... but you must know that... so I take it, I was deliberately kept away!' Her remarks though subtle, made it clear that she had a low opinion of such sly methods 'Gauri has worked at our haveli for years... but would never touch a single grain that wasn't hers!' she held her companion supportively 'And what proof do you have?'

'Actually...' Akbar informed, since he knew that the Kotwal wouldn't have the nerve to speak up, after her rebuttal 'there are quite a few witnesses!'

'Quite a few? Is that why they had to be cross-questioned by 50 men?' Heera quipped. She wanted to use the same sarcastic flair she'd used against the Kotwal, but now, her quip had ended up sounding more like 'disappointment'. Disappointment, after what she'd just witnessed. The fact that he would allow two lone ladies to be humiliated thus, was an issue she couldn't come to terms with. Somehow, she expected better from this 'Sahib'. Was he just an egoistic businessman who cared for no one but himself - like her maids always said? 'Anyway, how much have they stolen, Khan Sahib? I will pay you back... and any fines that you will slap them with!'

Furious; Akbar stormed across the room, unconcerned by everyone's stunned expressions.

'Let me remind you...' he hissed 'that in MY house... MY money was stolen... I have the right to interrogate the accused!'

What?' Heera couldn't help feeling miffed. After all, she was not used to such directness - that too, from a man! There was plenty she could have said in retort, but decided to act civil and keep mum.

Her guards, though, were understandably enraged.

'Sahib, this is our baisa you're talking to ...' they roared in her defence, pointing their swords at his chest

'Address her with respect!'

'Apologise to her...'

Yet, all that effort could barely get Akbar to bat an eyelid. 'Please order your guards to put their swords down...' he conveyed as plainly as possible, his pitch an angry murmur 'if there is a bloodbath... I will be the lone man left standing... I assume that's not what you want...'

Coming from anyone else such statements would have sounded ridiculous and arrogant. It would have challenged her ego.

But from him, the message didn't sound like a mere boast. Or even like a temper-fuelled threat. It sounded 'real'. And the young lady understood it for what it was - as something she ought not to disregard. In fact, strangely, there was a small part of her that was both - amazed by the confidence with which he'd made that claim, and astonished by the indifference displayed by him and his mates to the threat.

Heera had not reacted much to his outburst so far. But when she got a clearer glimpse of his features, that equation changed. There was a raging fury in his glares - more intense than anything she'd ever encountered before. Eight nights ago, Bindiya had described his eyes as 'stormy'. But until now, she'd never known how ferociously those storms could blow. Besides, there was that telltale tinge of sincerity in his tone again - a tinge she tried hard to ignore, but simply couldn't!

'No' she instinctively knew 'all this restlessness could not be over a few stolen coins... it is something else...'

'Khan Sahib...' the lady tactfully amended her tone ' And all I've been trying to say, is that I had the right to know my maids were involved in this case, before the entire town was notified...'

And how quickly and cleverly he detected the perpetrator of the crime!

'Yes...' Akbar confirmed, sending his enthralled audience into another spell of bewilderment 'A 'fresh' smell of tannin oil... a chemical used in the leather factory... shoes... water bags... sword holders... and the sort' his eyes narrowed 'Sahiba... none of your maids work with leather, do they?'

'Not as far as I know' she scoffed mildly

Once he'd passed by the stable boys, he brought his steps to a slow stop 'Gafhoor... by any chance... would YOU know anyone who might be working with leather?'

'W...what?' the attendant swallowed hard, before looking up at his master 'No Sahib...'

'Sayyid...' Akbar immediately yelled, taking Gafhoor by complete surprise 'remind me again... where does his little brother work?'

'He works with a cobbler... a shoemaker...' Sayyid revealed.

'Does he now, Bindiya?' Heera chimed in, trying not to sound too amused as she remembered how five days back, this very girl had vowed never to think highly of the man...

* * *

At Present..

'Well... if it wasn't for him, we would've been shamed today... what's not to respect in a man who stands up for two commoners like us, baisa?' she replied, along with a chorus of approvers..

'Quite true!' the Lady nodded, recognising that his momentary gesture of cracking an ink pot, had left behind trails of a permanent mark of respect amongst her people.

At least, amongst most of them...

Heera turned around, to try and observe the chief-maid who was busy instructing the ladies in the reception room.

In most ways, her closest companion was a mirror image of her own self - a proud woman, but grateful too. Hence it was puzzling to note Gauri's unwillingness to acknowledge the young man's efforts to save her honour. In fact, ever since her return from the haveli, she'd mentioned everything else BUT him. Why? Did she not want to see the Sahib in a positive light? Or, was she afraid to let her baisa see him in a positive light?

'Anyhow... must get back to work...' she let go of the window sill, realising that no drift of breeze was going to be blowing her way anytime soon 'besides... after this feast... it's crucial for us to begin making plans to leave Aidabad... people have found out that we're from Parnagarh... news is bound to spread, which could spell danger for us... and why hasn't Chitranjan kakasa replied to my scroll yet? Our messenger left 5 days back... the message must have reached him days ago...'

Reception room of the Guest Quarters..

'Sahiba... I received your message... thank you...' His crinkly smile waned as he began scratching his head in confusion. When he abruptly realised that his behaviour wasn't ideal, especially in the presence of a noblewoman, the elderly man rectified his appearance by dropping drown his hands and standing straight 'B... but a... a feast... after a funeral? I... I don't understand...'

Trying not to smile at his entertaining antics, Heera went on to reveal the significance of the 13th day feast to the Mughal man, concluding her explanations with a personal invite 'And that is why I would like you to come, Chacha Sahib'

There was now little sign of the jovial old man that Chacha really was.

'I cannot speak for the rest of my men... but, I will be there... attending the feast in remembrance of your sister...' his eyes managed to retain a smile, but his voice had cracked 'her soul will be appeased that a great cook like myself ate a feast in her honour!'

Heera nearly let out a soft laugh, moved by his attempt to lighten the mood 'I am sure jiji will be happy... thank you...'

Chacha paused, as though his mind was moving onto something else.

'Having said that... what happened today, shouldn't have happened...' he suddenly folded his palms as a mark of regret, taking the Lady by surprise 'I agree that at one point, the situation turned quite unpleasant...but please take my word when I say I didn't doubt your maids... and neither did Akbar or his mates...'

'It's kind of you to say that' she nodded

'And yet...' his eyelids drooped 'here I am... asking you for some help... you must think I am very inconsiderate...'

It was Heera's chance to seem confused 'Why? What help do you need?'

The man took a good while to speak up, and when he did, it was with obvious hesitation 'This morning, Akbar had an accident when he was out on some work... Bahadur's been injured gravely...' he paused 'Our Hakim is away, in a distant town... would you be able to take a look at the horse for us, Sahiba?'

[Journey continues]

Originally posted by: lashy

Awww... yes... Heera worships the human in him! ❤️

Originally posted by: Sandhya.A

Indha picture-la enna ezhudhinaalum kannukku theriyadhe!