NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~ Thread 51 - Teaser for Chapter 56 - Page 51

Originally posted by: Kalgi22

Whatever... I want him to run from Parnagarh..That's more than enough!! 😈 😆

👍🏼 Yes, Chellam-this is turning out to be better than expected. The mission to oust Jaswant works any which way- with or without tying the rakhi!😆

Originally posted by: Kalgi22

Yay.. Periamma called me and we talked.. 🥳

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Hiding Behind

A

STRANGER

A Historical Romance by Lashy

(Abridged)

Part III. The Floods.

Chapter 5.

Ustaad or Mansabdar?

Parnagarh..

It was hot. Very very hot. So hot that she could smell it in the air - a different kind of fragrance wafting from the moist mud, like wet groundnuts being roasted on a flame. So hot that it'd given her a splitting headache - what with a casual stroll through the village paths having taken hours more than it used to.

It was the most intense part of summer.

Dry spells had come before, but the crisis this year was far worse - seeing how hundreds of additional families had moved in, to settle in-and-around the place, all at once. Water was drying up quick.

If the rains didn't come in a week or two, if the problem didn't start disappearing by then, emergency measures would have to be called for.

And Heera was hoping it didn't come to that.

'Oh my...' Heera sighed in relief as soon as she stepped out from the palanquin and into the haveli, under the cool shady straw awnings of her courtyard. 'Tiring...' she vigorously flapped around her neck the coral silk fan - an accessory that perfectly complemented the bright orange attire she'd chosen to don today.

'Gau...' she was about to call her friend. But stopped when she heard the ring of familiar anklets rush towards her.

In no time, one maid had laid out a low seat and two others had approached her with wet towels and feather fans.

'Here you go...' Gauri offered her a cool lemon drink once Heera had taken her seat. 'Strained yourself haven't you?'

'Alright...' Gauri began dabbing the wet towel on her mistress' cheeks to cool the skin down. You go to your chamber and rest... I'll bring your lunch and medicines to your room...'

'Just the medicines...' Licking her lips after downing the last sip of that delicious quencher, Heera handed back the goblet 'I've already had my lunch...'

'Had your lunch?'

'Well... everyone still seems to be celebrating our victory over the miners... there's a festive mood everywhere...' her head briefly whirred as she stood up and she had to scrunch her eyes tight to let some of the pounding pain pass 'special pickles... bajra rotis... ker sangri... sweetmeats... I was offered something or the other, every house I visited...'

'Fine...' grinned the chief maid 'go ahead to your room... I'll get your medicines ready...'

Heera's chamber.

Finally! Comfortably tucked in the dark, away from every blazing ray of the sun, head resting upon a pillow and hair freed of its cumbersome jewellery 'Peace and quiet' It was all she wanted for a while!

'That feels nice...' groaned Heera, as Dhani's skilled fingers rubbed the first warm drops of eucalyptus oil onto the painful points of her forehead

'It's worse than usual... the attack... isn't it? Did you take your medication, baisa?'

'Yes... a very strong dose of it... thank you'

'Alright... close your eyes and sleep... I'm certain you'll feel better in an hour or two...'

However, as it so happened, a short nap was all she was permitted.

'Baisa...' a voice from outside called out to her..

'Oh I am so sorry baisa... I did not mean to disturb you...' the maid sounded very apologetic 'It was just that Khan Sahib wanted to know if you would be able to meet him at his room now...'

Heera said nothing.

'In his room?' A quiet tremor flittered through her still chest. Not once in the past month had he made such a request. What could be so urgent? 'Besides...' her heavy eyelids briefly closed shut 'this agonising headache... the state I'm currently in...'

Wouldn't it be better if she turned down his request?

'No... it had to be urgent...' she opened her eyes 'or he would've sent me a scroll like he always does...'

Moreover, the medication she'd taken was strong. The pain should subside soon.

Heera cleared her throat to make sure she didn't sound hesitant 'please let him know I'll be there in a short while...'

The Mansabdar suite..

Her eyes swerved left, then right and then back at the entrance for the tenth time, despite the fact that doing so exacerbated the pain in her head. Well, what else was she meant to do?

She'd finished tinkering with her fingernails and toying with her bangles. She'd shifted around on her feet for several moments now and observed every nook and cranny of that room as far as her hazy vision would allow her to. But, there was still no sign of the man.

'Khan Sahib has gone to meet Mirza Sahib...' the sentinel posted at the entrance had said 'He will be back before long... he's requested you to wait for him till then...'

Well, if he had to meet his friend, why did he call for her so urgently? Or, was it SHE who'd assumed that it was urgent? Either way, she couldn't continue standing at this spot indefinitely. Her legs were tired, and the medication hadn't taken full effect yet.

However, as baisa of the haveli and wife of the Mansabdar, she couldn't and wouldn't be caught waiting outside in the waiting area of this suite.

She wouldn't sit on his bed.

And she shouldn't sit at his desk where his official scrolls were still lying around.

His loyal sentinel were known never to budge from their spots, so she didn't want to order them to fetch her a chair. And she didn't want to raise a fuss by summoning one of her guards to his room.

'God!' She heaved 'This room definitely needs more furniture! I should have just gone ahead and ordered for another couch along with the rosewood cabinet... or, at least have a few spare chairs shifted here...'

But, for now, she would make do with what was around. And of the three, the desk eventually appeared to be the least awkward option.

Strolling towards the table, she pulled the chair and made herself comfortable on it.

At first, Heera was very steadfast about restricting her attention to every other object around, thus avoiding even the tiniest peek at the messages that lay open, in front. After all, how could she forget the promise he'd extracted from her?

'I have conditions of my own too Sahiba... who I am... what I do... it stays a secret... you'll never interfere in my work!'

However, at one such point - when she was definitely trying NOT to look at his scrolls - her fleeting glance chanced upon the Urdu lettering in one scroll that resembled 'the Sahiba of Parnagarh'

'What? Me?' Her eyelids were on the verge of unfurling wide open.

'Stop it!' She would not allow her curiosity to be piqued at least for the sake of decency. He was the Mansabdar of this place and his mentioning HER in one of his letters couldn't be all that alarming, could it?

'But...' her glance wandered towards the open scroll, though she was careful not to focus on the words in it 'he does have me involved in most of the affairs here... so... what might this letter be? Maybe THIS is the message he wants to discuss with me...'

Slipping in through the first cracks in the barriers of her vow of 'indifference', Heera allowed her pupils to focus on the next line of that message. 'Just that one line' she told herself.

But it took long to decipher the words. So, her fingers had to reach for the pouch where she stored her reading lens.

She stalled.'Oh don't be silly Heera... what if he walks in and catches you sitting at his desk, reading his letters? What would he think? Have some sense of decorum... he's fulfilled his promises so far, hasn't he? You pledged to stay out of his affairs... DON'T break your promises!'

She fell back on the backrest, huffing under her breath.

'But I AM the Sahiba of Parnagarh... I'm not being curious about his other letters... I'm being curious about ME... my affairs! Would it be so wrong to read a line or two to find out why he'd mentioned me? Simply to satisfy myself... that there's nothing wrong going on that's being deliberately kept from me?'

Opening the pouch, she swiftly removed the lens and leaned forward.

'Quickly... only one line...' she focussed on the paragraph as hard as she could, ignoring both, the strain to her vision and the unpleasant jittery pulse warning her that this was more than plain mischief.

'The...' she slowly read the Urdu words to herself 'Sahiba of Parnagarh... of course... has been brought... under control...' She had to clutch the handle of the lens tighter so she wouldn't drop it from nervousness 'under control... without much effort... you... need not worry'

Her heart leapt, forcing a pause 'The Sahiba of Parnagarh, of course has been brought under control, without much effort. You need not worry!'

The next moment, her heart leapt, even faster -

Amidst the constant high-strung drone of voices in the corridors, she'd suddenly recognised a steady baritone that sounded unnervingly familiar!

'Is she in there? Waiting?'

'Yes Khan Sahib...'

'Oh no...' she stood up, her antsy fingers trying to stuff the lens into the pouch. But the treacherous handle somehow refused to get back in even after two attempts. 'Why?' she hissed through her tussles, when realising that he'd crossed the waiting-area and reached the entrance in less than three strides. 'Come on...'

She persevered with a third attempt in a frenzy. And to her great relief, the lens was finally put away and the pouch tucked in, just before he stepped inside. 'Thank God!'

'Begum Sah...'

'Khan Sahib...' she played it very cool.

There was an odd pause.

'Erm...' he cleared his throat. 'I apologise for my absence... it took longer than I thought...'

By the end of that sentence he'd already revisited the waiting area - and was back in his chamber, promptly lugging a huge teak armchair with his right arm.

'Here...' he placed the armchair against a wall 'Seems you're having a headache...'

'Y..yes...' She curiously stretched her response out, waiting for him to explain further.

'The fragrance of eucalyptus' he nodded 'as soon as I stepped in'

Besides, the Sahiba's eyes were sunken, as if they were under strain. But, he wasn't going to tell her that. 'Please sit down... shall I get you something to drink?'

'No, thank you...'

Keeping her elbows stiff and her fingers crisscrossed in front, to maintain a facade of composure, she walked across to claim her chair.

'I should've made seating arrangements for you, before I left'

'Oh?' Heera thought she sensed a change in his tone. 'Was there a trace of sarcasm in his sentence? Or, am I mistaken? Agh... I don't know!'

Well, how was she supposed to think straight when her mind was busy reeling from one shock after another - trying not to reflect on the worrying words she'd stumbled upon, trying not to wonder if he might've caught her in the act, trying not to think of what was to come.

'That's alright...' Heera nodded as she sat, her wary stares following him as he nonchalantly walked up to his desk.

The young man drummed his fingers on the table-top twice, before gliding his hand over the array of letters lying about.

Flick! He halted when he reached the one she'd been reading.

The next instant, the scroll was picked and rolled up firmly within his palm. He didn't stop there - the wax was melted, the scroll glued, and the seal stamped upon it.

Worse, he wasn't staring at the scroll during any of it. He was staring right at her.

'Oh no...' Heera swallowed hard for the nth time - long aware that her game was up.

He was making a statement, wasn't he?

Even if she couldn't read his expressions, she could feel it in her skin. And even if he said nothing, she could hear it in the way his breathing shifted. He didn't sound too pleased - as though the silence was a reminder of the promise and trust she'd broken by peeping into his messages when he was not around, and a warning that she mustn't meddle with his work again.

Whelmed by a wave of painful forehead spasms that struck her just then, Heera glanced aside with a grimace of guilt.

'Guilt?' But, why was she allowing him to make her feel guilty when HE was the one being so mean to her in his messages? 'Be angry!' she exhaled.

So, she decided to come out with the truth. There was nothing left to hide anyway. It was curiosity, not a crime. And she'd only been curious because her name had been taken!

'Something troubling you, Sahiba?'

'I... I...' she quietly drew in some air, to counter her gnawing frustrations and headache 'I chanced upon my name in a letter... and I grew curious...'

'Curious? Or suspicious?' He suggested nonchalantly.

She did not answer that.

'It said something about... how I've been successfully brought under control... without much effort!'

'Oh really?' Akbar slightly tilted his head back, as if trying to reminisce the paragraph she was referring to 'Yes... I DO recollect writing something on those lines...'

'What?' His tone was solid. His body language indifferent. What sort of a reaction was this? A display of superiority? Did it mean she'd misread the lines and was jumping to conclusions? Or did it mean that he was being the bully that he could be?

'Hmmm...' Since she wasn't going to explain any further, he realised it was his turn.

'So, how exactly did that letter go?' He pressed the spot between his brows..

'I trust this letter finds you in good health, Huzoor. With the Grace of Allah, the days have mostly been smooth here. My men and I have settled down into our roles well. The miners paid me a visit a last week. Site inspection has been completed, the documents have been signed off and digging work is scheduled to start soon.

The initial resistance from the local community - WITH DUE ASSISTANCE FROM THE SAHIBA OF PARNAGARH, OF COURSE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL, WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT.'

Having stressed on the complete sentence that she had most probably read in bits, he narrated the rest of it too - both, the straightforward and the not-so-straightforward parts - for the benefit of his sceptical young Begum Sahiba.

'YOU NEED NOT WORRY ABOUT THE PEOPLE raising voices against the mining merchants in future either, Huzoor. For that, I have devised two plans..

One, I have advised the merchants to pick isolated sites on the other side of Parnagarh - which also happen to be the most iron-rich areas in Parnagarh. Two, as we discussed earlier, I have recommended that the businessman employ locals. When people here start working for our merchants, there will be a greater sense of loyalty towards us, which would only benefit us in the long run...'

He stopped. 'There's more, Sahiba... do you want me to continue?'

Heera was staring at the embroidery on her skirt - something she'd been doing ever since he started narrating the first sentence of this letter. Because by then, she'd already guessed where this was headed.

And by the time he stopped, she found herself unable to stay unaffected - even if she wanted to. The least she wished was to sport an 'aloof' look - a look that HE put on with such ease. So, she desperately held on to it ...

* * * *

...

The pain was no longer in her forehead now. It was in her chest.

'The original Farmaan... was it in the planter? Opposite jiji's painting in the hallways?'

'Yes...'

'Khan Sahib...' Heera cleared her throat, deciding she was going to jump straight to the point. Enough time, emotion and energy had been spent here 'you'd summoned me here... because you wanted to discuss something important?'

'Yes, I do...three important things, in fact!'

Crossing the room, he stopped opposite her.

'When at Aidabad...' he crossed his wrists behind him 'you'd sent out scrolls to many Hindu kingdoms... seeking justice against the atrocities of the army of my Huzoor... and along with those scrolls, you'd sent four personal messengers too, remember? Two to Manswar and two to Bansi...'

The pink of her cheeks lost some of its lustre rightaway 'Wh... why is he bringing up THIS topic now?'

Heera instinctively knew she wasn't going to appreciate the rest of this discussion. But she also knew there was nothing she could do about it.

What an irony that she was amused by everything he had to say until two sentences ago. Well, THAT was a rare personal side of him. THIS was him being his typical businesslike self. And he seemed to have no difficulty separating the two in her presence. Unlike her!

'The personal messengers? But... but... after our last conversation regarding this, I'd assumed you'd let them return to their homes... to their villages... you've burnt all my scrolls anyway!'

'Oh yes... I did seize and burn all scrolls...' Akbar wasn't being haughty, but he showed little regret while making that admission 'but, it's been brought to my attention that these four personal messengers have also learnt the contents of your scrolls by heart - a clever step you'd evidently taken after you suspected that your letters were going missing outside Aidabad...'

The remaining traces of pink faded from her cheeks too 'Yes it's true... so?'

'So they have been retained in my custody ever since... in safe-houses...' he paused 'even the one who'd managed to reach Bansi to inform Maharaj Chitranjan about your whereabouts...'

'What?'

'Well... I couldn't let them go, could I? They still remember the contents of your scrolls... each word of it...'

'They're good men, Khan Sahib... family men... do NOT harm them for no fault of theirs...'

So disturbed was she by his sudden shift in attitude, by this sudden shift in discussion - that she remembered to add a 'Please' only as an afterthought! 'Please...'

'Exactly Sahiba! I do understand they're good men... I understand that they've sworn to fulfil their duties towards their baisa and that they're prepared to die doing that... which is why... I want you to write an official letter to the four of them... with your handwriting, your signature and your seal... ordering them to abandon their mission... ordering them never to repeat the contents of those scrolls to anyone else - not even to their families...' he leaned in close 'in fact, ordering them to forget such scrolls ever existed... ask them to swear this on your Gods... and on you, their baisa!'

Even as his features descended perilously close to hers, she stayed rooted in her spot - her petite shoulders squarely opposite his broad ones, her blurry hazel orbs glaring in the direction of his sharp eyes.

Yes, she was standing her ground but that was only to keep up the pretence of defiance.

Truth be told, she could feel the nervousness in her knees. The kind of vibes that this man gave off, depending on the situation, could make the other feel safe in a warm house, or stranded in cold wilderness. And currently, it was the latter, not the former.

'May I ask what you were planning to do with the messengers otherwise?'

'Sahiba...' he lifted his right brow 'why ask a question when you know you're not going to like listening to its answer?'

'Oh!' swallowing a few angry retorts, she kept it simple 'Anyway, please do tell...'

'Well... I cannot keep them in the safe-house forever... and I cannot let them go... so... if I ever doubt that they will be a threat to our safety... I will do what has to be done to protect our best interests... in order to protect your life and mine, I will have them silenced... forever... even if it earnestly wouldn't please me to do so...'

He kept his lips stiff to make sure she understood he wasn't merely throwing around empty threats. And it was no empty threat - he meant every word of it. 'So please do send those orders straightaway...'

Flustered by his attitude, Heera glimpsed aside - worried she might utter something rude she mustn't.

'Sahiba, I understand it was a noble step you'd taken... fighting for your sister's murderers to be brought to justice... but that was when you had the Hindu kingdoms by your side and I wasn't around... today... you have NONE of those kingdoms supporting you and only me beside you. So please listen to what I have to say...' He kept his voice gentle as he tried explaining the reality to her once again, but neither did that make the message any less chilling, nor did it help soften the blow.

So, Heera stayed silent. Her 'silence' was supposedly the only thing she had power over. For, she definitely had no power over anything else. How could she, when she was a mere puppet at his hands?

Now, she wasn't delusional. In her heart of hearts, the young lady could sense that the man was possibly doing her a favour by retaining those two Manswar messengers. After all, she had sent them assuming Manswar was Parnagarh's strongest ally. Clearly, the truth was far from it!

So, she did not question WHY he had taken such a step.

But, her ego was not charmed with what he'd just showed her - that he was still the 'Ustaad'. Her ego was not pleased with what his orders reminded her of - that there was no real hope of bringing her sister's murderers to real justice. And her ego did not appreciate how it made her feel as he gave her those orders - inconsequential.

Strange! At times, he could be a friend - fulfilling his promises, restoring her sense of respect in public and private like a true gentleman. Most other times though, he was the foe - cornering and intimidating her, till she followed his wishes. And as one who'd always been in a position of authority - it was difficult allowing another person to make the decisions for her, while she had no real voice of her own.

'Yes... yes... alright...' Heera hissed under her breath, eventually admitting that it was all down to how she viewed the entire scenario. Perhaps she'd mull over it with a cool head shortly. But for now, his approach had been upsetting. Her pride was rebelling. And she was left aggravated.

'Fine...' he shrugged, after having waited long enough for her to respond 'as you wish, Sahiba...'

'It'll be done... I'll send the letters out tomorrow!'

'Thank you...' Akbar retreated half-a-step, his face softening at the signs of annoyance he'd left her features with.

This was her home, her lands, her life and as far as she was concerned - he was dumping his decisions on her. This was her fight, her quest for justice. And he had butted in to bring an end to it too. It had to hurt.

As a man who would never let anyone else dictate his life that way, he could understand her frustrations and feel sorry for her. But, that was about it.

What he was doing was the best for everyone. She would eventually realise it.

Maybe when she did, she would ask for his advice in bringing her sister's killers to justice. And he would get her the justice she deserved too, if that was what she wanted - perhaps in not such a noble way, but he would.

But till then, all he could do was stand by and watch empathetically, while she swallowed many-a-bitter pill - one after another!

'Sahiba...' he spoke up after a few empty beats, hoping things would've calmed down a bit 'As for the second point... that discussion can probably wait...'

'Wait? She subjected the man to a sceptical glare. 'Why?' Was his 'second' discussion another threat? Is that why he was giving her a breather to recoup from the first one?

'No. It doesn't have to wait. You may go ahead Khan Sahib, even if the news is going to be unpleasant!'

Akbar paused for a bit, following that curt response 'Unpleasant news? No... there's none... apart from the terrible headache you have, of course'

'Oh...' Heera frowned.

A soft breath later, her elusive eyes escaped his for a moment 'but, my headache's fine now... thank you'

'There's something I have to SHOW you first Sahiba, before we can discuss about it... for which, we'll have to travel a while... so maybe later'

She overrode his dismissal with a simple stare 'I can walk...' she deliberately paused 'Khan Sahib'

'It's much too hot...'

'Not as hot as it was an hour ago...'

The young man sighed. Ideally, he would postpone this for another day, when things were less prickly between them - but, she was a tough candidate to dissuade. 'It might take long...'

'As long as I return by nightfall...' she was quick to add 'I have a busy day ahead'

'Before nightfall?'

At first, only his features had softened at the sight of her annoyance. But now, Akbar could actually feel a smile coming on. He'd put his foot down earlier. Thus the Sahiba was doing the same, when she had the chance!

So, he decided to cave in, to balance the scales. 'Let's leave then...'

'Alright...' she nodded.

Yes, she had put her foot down - partly to get back at him. But there was another part to it that he hadn't guessed.

For all the grace and poise she flaunted, her mind possessed the restless curiosity of a 16 year old. And Heera knew that once the anger would dissipate, she would be left with nothing but sleepless nights and a million questions -

'What was the second point he wanted to discuss?And the third? Cou

ld it be about Parnagarh? About the stables? About the miners? About me? About him? About me and him?'

So, for the sake of her own peace in the long-run, she decided it better to find the answers straightaway. Wounded ego and hurt pride could be dealt with later.

'I'll summon the palanquin bearers...'

'No... not the palanquin... I'll walk Khan Sahib...'

The last thing she wanted was the entire haveli creating a din and fuss about this brief outing. Besides, she was in no mood to act cordial with the Mansabdar now - which she would have to do in the presence of her maids and guards. Alone, she could continue to be her own silent self.

'Fine... hope you can manage on a horse then!'

'WHAT! A horse? But, you said we'd be walking...'

'No Sahiba... I've changed my mind' he was never planning to let her walk miles, in this heat, in her condition anyway 'A horse it is...'

'You mean two horses, Khan Sahib'

'I mean 'a' horse. One horse. A single horse. A lone horse. A solitary horse.'

'B... but... then... how? How... I... I ride with him? We ride together?' This was embarrassing. 'I'd... I'd...' she rolled her eyes 'I'm not sure about you Khan Sahib, but I would rather NOT be the talk of the town tomorrow!'

'You'll ride alone...'

'I? Alone?'

'Leave it to me will you, Begum Sahiba?' he advised, showing her the way out.

[Journey continues]

Originally posted by: roseraja1915

Please give us regular updates on this big move!

Originally posted by: selvi1275

🤣🤣

Originally posted by: Vmanoh

Selvi - Tulips look so bright & beautiful !

Rising clouds over the mountain top, sneak out of their hiding to take a peek,

Curious to know who laid a Pink carpet below, stand transfixed above the peak!

Farther away they see their friend the Rainbow has descended down to earth,

Taking a well needed rest, stretching across the flat field, content in it's rebirth!

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Hiding Behind

A

STRANGER

A Historical Romance by Lashy

(Abridged)

Part III. The Floods.

Chapter 5.

Ustaad or Mansabdar?

[Journey continues]

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

'I can walk...' she deliberately paused 'Khan Sahib'

'It's much too hot...'

'Not as hot as it was an hour ago...'

The young man sighed. Ideally, he would postpone this for another day, when things were less prickly between them - but, she was a tough candidate to dissuade. 'It might take long...'

'As long as I return by nightfall...' she was quick to add 'I have a busy day ahead'

'Before nightfall?'

At first, only his features had softened at the sight of her annoyance. But now, Akbar could actually feel a smile coming on. He'd put his foot down earlier. Thus the Sahiba was doing the same, when she had the chance!

So, he decided to cave in, to balance the scales. 'Let's leave then...'

'Alright...' she nodded.

Yes, she had put her foot down - partly to get back at him. But there was another part to it that he hadn't guessed.

For all the grace and poise she flaunted, her mind possessed the restless curiosity of a 16 year old. And Heera knew that once the anger would dissipate, she would be left with nothing but sleepless nights and a million questions.

'I'll summon the palanquin bearers...'

'No... not the palanquin... I'll walk Khan Sahib...'

'Fine... hope you can manage on a horse then!'

'WHAT! A horse? But, you said we'd be walking...'

'No Sahiba... I've changed my mind' he was never planning to let her walk miles, in this heat, in her condition anyway 'A horse it is...'

'You mean two horses, Khan Sahib'

'I mean 'a' horse. One horse. A single horse. A lone horse. A solitary horse.'

'B... but... then... how? How... I... I ride with him? We ride together?' This was embarrassing. 'I'd... I'd...' she rolled her eyes 'I'm not sure about you Khan Sahib, but I would rather NOT be the talk of the town tomorrow!'

'You'll ride alone...'

'I? Alone?'

'Leave it to me will you, Begum Sahiba?' he advised, showing her the way out.

Originally posted by: roseraja1915

😲

Chellam, this is earth-shattering news! Uprooting yourself from your native country to settle down in a new one-wow!😊

A huge, huge decision and one that both of you must have spent many a sleepless night on.

>>> True. 👍🏼

UK? What do we call this ? Cosmic connection? You will be with your soul sister.

>>> Awww ❤️

I am so very thrilled and excited about this news. Can't imagine the bright future that lies ahead for both of you.

>>> I'm also. Thank you.

And you will have your Chellam to help you settle in.🥳

>>> Yes poor thing.. 😆 getting a torturer near by.

All the best , Chellam, and we pray that the grass is greener on the other side and UK will be the land where all your dreams are fulfilled!👍🏼

If you are happy , we are happier , Chellam!🤗

Please give us regular updates on this big move!

Originally posted by: lashy