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EPISODE 28
At that precise moment, there was more rustle at the entrance and everyone turned to see a very alluring lady in blushing pink.
The haveli
Kalgiakka tried to slip quietly behind the screens to see what Jaswant was upto when she heard a voice behind her.
"Bitiya, so nice to see you here. And you look so pretty in this green ghaghra. See, all these flowers used for decorations are from your fan only."
Chameli Chachi was all excited to see Kalgiakka at the haveli.
"Thank you Chachi" Kalgiakka was desperate to leave but didn't want to hurt the amicable old lady either.
"So kind of the Mansabdar to give Harka Sahiba the freedom to celebrate our festivals too."
"Yes indeed. I was looking for Lana."
"I saw your friend at the far end of the hall. Let me see if she is still there."
Kalgiakka grabbed the opportunity to get into the serving room that Jaswant had enteted. She saw him replace a goblet of drink on the serving tray with another and pour the contents of the former into the planter nearby. All within the blink of an eye.
Everyone else was busy mixing the drinks and pouring them into ornated goblets on pretty trays. None seemed to have noticed Jaswant's trick.
"Here Sahib. Here is the warm water you asked for. " Afzal came in from the kitchen with a glass of steaming hot wayer. "You can ask Harka Sahiba for some medicine. Her decotions make you feel better instantly." The boy said genially as he lifted the tray to serve the guests.
"Sure, after the celebrations. I don't want to trouble her now."
As Afzal was about to leave, Jaswant cried..
"Hey, stop"
All eyes in the room turned to him and he just gave an uncomfortable smile. He moved close to Afzal and said in his soft voice.
"How long have you been here? I mean you seem to be very fond of your Sahib and Sahiba"
"Sahib, i know since he picked me up as a little boy. Sahiba, just these few months and she is an angel."
"Of course." The genteel voice was as persuasive as ever." Could you do me a favour Ad...i mean Afzal. I think i will retire early to bed today. Would you mind getting me another glass of hot water with pepper and honey. They might help my throat till I trouble Harka Sahiba for stronger medicines in the morning?"
Kalgiakka couldn't catch the what he seemed to whisper into the boy's ears. And she knew how charming the voice could be. As such he had switched goblets. Hope he doesn't persuade him to do any wrong. Whom should she inform? Would anyone believe her against the reputed builder? She was suspected of foulplay till the Mansabdar was kind enough to let her off. How could she convince them?
She would tell them about the ring. What if he flatly denied it. She would tell them about the switched goblet. Though she couldn't indentify which one, it had to be one among the six the boy carried. She had to stop him before anyone drinks from the goblet .
At the entrance to the main hall
"Most welcome Sahibas. Lovely to see you all after so long".
Heera's joys knew no bounds as she welcomed the three pretty ladies.
"Oh Heera. So lovely to be here and see you so happy. When we came here after the ...err...unfortunate incidents, we learnt that you had fled. We also left to our Nana's house at Malwa. Were back just yesterday and Chachi told us about the celebrations. We feel so happy to see you happy. Durga is always there to take care of you even in her absence."
Akbar walked towards the little group that paused the conversation abruptly. The girls had never thought that ther e would be some man to match the beauty of their friends, the two sisters, but this one looked like a sculpture in Mughal attire.
The youngest of the trio whispered into Heera's ears. "Di, your prince charming is very handsome."
"Oh Rashmi...". Heera's blush rivalled the colour of her husband's attire.
"Khan Sahib, this is Rekha, an expert at doughnuts, Vathsy, a poetess and charming Rashmi is their cousin. They are jiji and my childhood friends. They used to live at the mansion across that hill have recently moved out to Malwa."
"Welcome to Parnagarh ladies. Heera and i are delighted to welcome you to the haveli and your childhood memories."
At that precise moment, there was more rustle at the entrance and everyone turned to see a very alluring lady in blushing pink.
"Lavanya jiji, today is a day of wonders." Heera exclaimed! "Khan Sahib, she was Jiji's fellow student in sword lessons. And her words are as sharp as well. She writes beautiful poems." 
At the haveli entrance
At the haveli entrance
Bond stood for a moment gaping at the grand haveli and the grander decorations.
"Woo-hoo..." she whistled. " This looks like heaven Sayyid Sahib compared to that battered haveli at Aidabad.
She marched in through the guards stationed at the entrance, before she spotted her Sahib in serious discussion near the main door.
Oh how handsome her Bheem boy Sahib looked in his purple tunic. And who was that sultry lady in sparkling red a few feet from the two men. That looked like Mirza Sahib's begum. How glittering and impressive she looked now. So different from the simple teacher she had seen at Aidabad. What was it about Parnagarh that changed her so much! She hoped her pretty half saree would match up to the glitters of the haveli.
"Look there Sayyid, your someone special is here." Ibrahim Mirza smiled. As Sayyid turned to bring her around, ibrahim added, "And unless i am much mistaken, Azeez ki jan-e-man is also here."
Kuki walked in with her hair glowing in the morning sun.
Outside Lashy's chambers
"Lashy di, Lashy di...where are you? Almost everyone else is there, even Khan Sahib. Only you have to come."
"You go Bindup, i'll be there soon."
"But that is so unlikely of you. Normally you are the first to get ready and you tease us for being late. What are you doing?"
"I . well,.. ...i'll come down in a few minutes. Selvi and you join the festivities down. "
Bundup left a little sad and a little worried.
Below at the hall
Kalgiakka nudged her way to the boy but just as she was about to reach them, Lana's sweetheart took the tray from the boy.
"Oh no! he cant drink the tampered drink." Kalgiakka followed him a few steps when the golden hair girl made her way to him and held his arms.
"Jamaisa..." Lana's uncle's voice boomed and the portly old man walked towards them eyeing the clinging girl disapprovingly.
Azeez quickly shoved the tray into Sayyid's hands who walked in with Bond.
Ibrahim Mirza who follwed them with his begum quickly took charge of the situation and coaxed Uncleji to a quiet genial meeting and left the place with his arms on the man's shoulders leaving his lady with an unscrutable expression on her face.
On the other side of the hall.
"Lashy is nowhere to be seen Heera. Shouldn't she be here by now?" Khan Sahib looked concerned now. Heera turned to Bindup who walked up to them and whispered. "She is still in her room. She said she'll come down soon."
"Thats quite queer. She gets ready faster than we used to. Let me see..."
Hardly had he made his way towards the stairs that he HAD to stop in his tracks. He looked up in wide eyed amazement. So did most of them assembled in the hall.
Lashy stood at the topmost stair looking spectacular in her brilliant blue outfit. The tomboyishness had vanished giving way to a breathtakingly beautiful maiden who matched the mistress of the mansion in her elegance.
Khan Sahib inspite of himself dissolved into a handsome grin while walking a few steps up to fetch his cousin.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
