HBAS Chat corner - Page 3

Originally posted by: selvi1275

Congratulations for the New Home...Baisas... And ...Lashy ... 😊

Originally posted by: swetiii

Happy new year everyone 🤗

Ustaad's secret is safe

It will be such a shock for piggy and devil

Hehe

Update asap Di

This night was no different. Only she now KNEW what each of those emotions were. Anger. Agitation. Agony. Anguish. Pathos. Caution. Concern. Longing. And somehow, she found herself ravaged by the same storms, alongside him.

Heera took a few quick deep breaths while waiting for him to turn around. To face her. But he didn't. Instead, the man paced for his bedstead to pick up his dagger, his attention straight ahead - as if he didn't want her observing him.

'You continue to be concerned about what just happened between us, aren't you Khan Sahib? But don't you see that I now understand? I understand that you are so guarded... so protective because you always have everyone's best interests at heart. Particularly, mine!'

She closed her eyelids, trying to quieten some of the upheaval within 'Khan Sahib...'

An uneasy lull followed.

'Hmmm...'

His tone was sober. Sober and quiet. Possibly compensating for the tone of his interrogation earlier.

'Oh Khan Sahib...why? Why so cautious around your wife? She is not so delicate, your Heera... she yearns to understand you... be your partner in all ways!' sighed the young lady 'You've endured sleepless nights aplenty ever since you've met her... endured heartache and let her go... endured displeasure from your mentor to protect her home... ensured several hardships to save her honour... endured hatred while securing her future... and yet you're worried about hurting HER sentiments?'

With renewed resolve, she adjusted the veil on her head and the strength in her voice 'Khan Sahib... what I have to say wouldn't take much of your time...'

'No... not now Sahiba... please...'

Alas, she heard nothing more from him thereafter, apart from a soft snap. It was the sound of him yanking at the strap of his right glove. Again! 'Why, my Sahib? What are you agitated about? The case? Or... is it something else?'

Leaving behind the bounds of the study desk, her feet drifted in his direction, one small stride at a time. She stared at his persona from behind, noting how the riding shawl sat listlessly between his palms for a few instants, before it was thrown around his neck and face - possibly as he noticed her approaching him.

'What's pushing you so deep into thought? The issue I want to bring up?' A sad smirk offset the melancholy in her expressions 'You've guessed it, haven't you? And don't want to talk about it today. Is that why you aren't ready to listen to what I have to say? Why? I am your wife, your confidante... why postpone the inevitable?'

Then again, this was a man whose feelings were destroyed as a child, and its shattered remnants locked away forever thereon. All of a sudden, exposing those broken parts of his life to a lady he'd sworn to protect, could not be easy on any man's pride - let alone the exalted Ustaad!

If she wanted to make him feel whole, meeting him only halfway wouldn't be sufficient here - she might have to cross and conquer this unfamiliar trek, the whole ten long steps, by herself.

Swallowing down that growing lump of anxiety, Heera paced towards him, as he crossed the edge of the bed, and past where she stood. 'Khan Sahib...'

Akbar stopped.

Not because he noticed her silhouette drawing nearer, from the corner. Nor because he'd heard her call out to him. In fact, the whole time he HAD heard her calling out - he'd heard her words, and he'd definitely heard her prolonged silence too. But he managed to curb his raging emotions and handle the situation pragmatically, getting on with his routine as always.

Till now.

Because, this instance, it was a pair of soft hands that'd forced him to stop in his tracks.

The young man glanced down his shoulder, at the palms wrapped firmly around his elbow. A moment later, his glances rose slowly upwards, to observe his captor. However, he stopped abruptly short of her face. It would be unwise to meet eyes with her, he realised. For, it'd get infinitely tougher tearing away from the sight of that angelic face - tougher than even tearing away from the clutches of her hands.

So, his glances returned to the palms that continued to hold his elbow. The image suddenly reminded him of something else - of what'd happened earlier that day. A few hours ago, she'd held his palm and got him to change his mind about the fate of her messengers. Was that what the Sahiba was trying to do? Trying to get him to change his mind? About leaving?

'Please...' her voice was shaky, but the syllables were clear enough 'Ustad Akbar Mahmoud Khan Sahib... your Begum Sahiba wants to confess that she's grateful for everything you've done for her... grateful with all her heart...'

The air fell still. So still that for a spell he could sense nothing but the symphony of their ragged breaths. His body was screaming with a desire to spin around and face her right away, but the man within was still busy trying to come to terms with what he'd just heard.

'Ustad Akbar Mahmoud Khan Sahib...' It was what he'd been yearning for her lips to utter so far. Yet when she addressed him as such, silence was all he seemed to be able to offer in return then - what with his head already battling a hundred thoughts, his pulse already running a thousand races.

'Your Begum Sahiba is grateful with all her heart' It was the most beautiful gift he'd received from her so far. An admission of her gratitude - a gift he would treasure forever.

Yet, if he had to be honest with himself, he realised something strange as soon as he received it - THAT admission wasn't the actual gift his heart needed. Because it was a gift he already had. He was aware that he possessed his Sahiba's heartfelt gratitude, like he was aware of the blood warming his veins. It was something else that his heart craved for. A gift that he couldn't bring himself to ask aloud, because she had to gift it to him of her own accord.

'Thank you, Begum Sahiba...'

'Khan Sahib...'

No, she wasn't done yet.

'Your Begum Sahiba now understands... she understands the reasons behind your choices in life... and she understands that those choices have been admirably made... she understands how important a pledge is to you... and while she might not be entirely in agreement with all that the Shehzaade does, she understands why he is the master so deserving of your loyalty'

The air descended into stillness once more. But he couldn't even sense the ragged breaths this time. It was the dull spasm around his ribs that snapped him into realising he'd briefly forgotten to breathe. 'The reasons behind your choices in life... important pledge... the Shehzaade... a master deserving of your loyalty ...'

So, he WAS right. She HAD come to learn of his past. Or at least parts of it. But, how? And why? It was his past, HIS dark secret to tell. It shouldn't have been shared behind his back. 'Your Begum Sahiba now understands... understands that those choices have been admirably made...' And having learnt of his story, she was now expressing her unreserved acceptance of him - the actual gift his heart craved for.

But while she was eager to lighten her heart tonight, his soul wasn't prepared for an encounter so profound, out of the blue. And despite his wishes, by unleashing her feelings upon him, by trying to help heal, she was pulling out the daggers from his body, one after another. Only, those daggers had been embedded in his flesh for far too long - so long that they'd become a part of him. Pulling them out, meant the pain was excruciating.

How was he meant to deal with this pain, when he was supposed to be stepping out on a mission? Why was she doing this to him now? Why couldn't she wait for a better hour? How was he meant to even find the words to respond?

Suddenly, he felt her grip around his elbow loosen. The Sahiba had let him go, as though she'd sensed the extent of turbulence within him.

The effects of the daze carried his feet for a short distance forward, to the entranceway. If nothing else, at least to release him from the force of her hold, so he could try to think straight.

'Khan Sahib...' her voice was beginning to cave in, but she pushed the words out, through subdued tears 'what MORE do you want to hear?'

'No More! Enough!' That's what he wanted to say as he clutched the velvet screen, beyond which lay another life summoning him - a life of duty and discipline. His quivering fingers soon turned white from a molten fury. But for some reason the 'Enough' wouldn't escape his arid throat.

'You want to hear MORE? That she trusts you? Yes, your Begum Sahiba now appreciates that the Ustaad has always wanted the best for her... whether it was by burning her scrolls... by sending her away from Aidabad... by bargaining her home... or by forcing her into a marriage she thought she didn't want... You want to hear MORE? She trusts you now... and will do so forever! You want to hear MORE? Yes, your Heera loves you like no other!'

The precious chain of confessions snapped under the strain, breaking down into droplets of tears 'I did not intend to upset you or delay you, Khan Sahib... I could have said all this on another day... but with both of us leading lives where we don't know what tomorrow holds, I did not want to leave these unsaid as you depart on another mission'

Her pitch dwindled down, and so did the depth of her conviction - as if she couldn't bear to stare at his back anymore and would rather stare at an inanimate floor as she spoke. 'I understand you may need time to come to terms with all this... I will wait patiently for that day to come. Shubh Ratri!'

'Your Begum Sahiba trusts the Ustaad now... and will do so forever'

His senses had turned numb to the world outside, but his pulse was still throbbing with a fiery frenzy. Why? Who did he want to punish? Who was he really angry with, for this excruciating pain from the blades coming off?

Not the Sahiba, really. So, himself? People from his past? Or the sands of time, for showing no mercy?

'Both of us leading lives... where we don't know what tomorrow holds'

His glares shifted through the slit of his neck scarf to the sand-timer that sat upon a distant table.

Time slowed down.

Till he could count each speck of sand-grain slip through.

Grain... after... grain... after... grain... after... grain... after... grain... after... grain... after... grain... after... grain... after... grain... after... grain... after... grain... after... grain.

'That IS enough!'

The curtain folds were released from his clenches.

Akbar Spun around, staring at the sight of those lowered lashes flickering against her moist cheeks. The neck scarf was forcefully tugged down his face. The soft slow crunch of a right boot interrupted the silence. And then a left boot. The right boot crunched again. And so did the left. Till the boot strides gradually grew in spirit and pace. The shoulder bag was limply dropped upon the floor. The strap of the right glove snapped open. Followed, by the left one - both gloves flung aside to a random corner. The dagger belt came undone, its sharp contents thumped on a table somewhere.

Two final strides and his sinewy frame had crossed the foot of the bed, facing her.

'Khan... Sahib?' She watched on, her wide eyes making no effort to hide the questions behind them.

In response, he pulled her passionately close and clasped her within his arms in a firm hug. Then, he fastened her palm to the top of his chest unabashed, since she was the only one who could tend to its unstoppable beats.

Words failing her, she quietly obliged, not certain what to expect...

... ... ...

'Akbar...' Ibrahim's voice echoed from the other side of the screen 'Bahadur is ready... the bags and water-flasks have been loaded... when will you be leaving?'

The young man briefly broke away, staggering for words, staggering for breath - her state no different. Reality still settling in, the tremors within still shuddering afloat, he gazed down at his wife.

'Mashallah' In the dimness of twilight, her features were aglow - their tinge a deep pink. So deep that it even masked the colour that his impassioned love had brushed onto her lips.

'Heera...'

Reclaiming her footing on steady ground, she unfurled her quivering eyelashes - but stopped midway, stalling her glances from moving upwards, to his face.

'Look here...'

The young lady responded by allowing a skittish smile show on her lips. But, she wouldn't peek up. Why would she, when the enticingly sharp edge of his nose continued to hover just above her pearly dimples?

'Heera...' He could see she was not intending to be a tease. But the fact that she would rather lavish her gazes upon the gathers of his neck-scarf, did have his dark pupils vying for her attention. So, he decided to do himself a favour and tenderly lifted her chin up, till she had nowhere to look but him. 'I...'

'Akbar?' came Ibrahim's second reminder 'Are you there?'

'Yes Ibrahim... please wait... for a bit...'

She watched how the brief tranquillity of his features was ruffled again - by shadows of a fresh tempest. Not the enthralling sort that he'd gladly let himself be consumed by, until a moment ago. But, a grimmer tempest.

Her eyes stayed silent for a flighty beat or two, while her heart dealt with fresh unrests of her own, preparing itself for what had to happen. She had gotten everything she wanted, hadn't she? How could she selfishly ask for more of his time? 'No... I can't... I shouldn't... I have to let him go'

So, she filled her lungs with all the calming air that she could, to dissolve some of those unrests. Then, she let her eyes speak. 'I understand Khan Sahib... you have to leave...'

Ironically however, by doing so, she'd only made it harder for him. Her expressions had softly rattled at the rigid armour of a soldier that hadn't been rattled by many-a-violent blow. For, it showed Akbar that his gentle wife was ready to part even as his steely self was struggling to do so.

'Khuda Hafiz...' he forced a small distance between them.

Where the roughest dangers and coarsest truths could not drive a wedge through them, the smallest grains of time were beginning to seep through, nudging them afar. But it wasn't the first instance that he was leaving her behind, was he? Fate and circumstances had made him walk away from her presence on numerous occasions in the past. Then, what was different tonight?

Was it because there was no sign of annoyance in her eyes as she wished him farewell - despite the fact that her questions and confessions had received no proper answers yet? Because her expressions did not even reflect a flicker of disappointment? Because she showed nothing beyond a quiet resignation?

Yet and still, he would leave to attend to the call of duty. Like he always did.

'Take care...' Heera took a calm step back, to make it easier upon him - though her fingers remained willingly shackled within his palm.

Ironically however, by doing so, she'd only made it harder - her gesture softly rattling at his rigid armour once again. For, it told him that she had truly adopted his fate as her own. That in all ways, she'd truly become the Ustaad's wife.

'You too...' he fell a short step back - her stoic features the object of his glare, the rest only a blur.

He had to put his work above all else. He was used to doing so, wasn't he? Even when it came at the price of the lone wish of a dying child like 'Pappu'. Even when it cost him cherished possessions like the 'laddus' the lover had gifted him. Then, why were his feet getting heavier than lead? Was it because this unprecedented night was too precious, too unique? Was it because it was the first time the Ustaad was walking away from his wife?

Yet and still, he would leave to attend to the call of duty. Like he always did.

Soon, her fingers slid away from his palm as if it were a precious yarn of silk that he could neither hold onto, nor wholeheartedly let go. And at that moment of separation, he felt the planes of his chest clamp-in from frustration - a small corner of his heart even whimsically wishing that he could just drop his burdens and dash off for an undisturbed day or three, as men in power could afford to - only the two of them, riding on the weight of their love, to a distant land.

But THAT was fantasy. THIS was life, with its difficulties. And it was up to him to somehow fulfil her fantasies in this difficult life, similar to how she'd fulfilled his.

'On another day...' his head shook, telling-off his heart as though it were an insubordinate soldier - the force of his breath getting hurried and heated. 'On another day, Akbar'

For now however, he would HAVE to leave. Like he always did.

A fresh day would come, when they would be able to fulfil all of that, with nothing to stop them. A fresh tomorrow would come when they'd be able to nurture those fantasies, into an enchanting reality. 'Another tomorrow...'

'But with both of us leading lives where we don't know what tomorrow holds...'

So, as she'd said, what if they didn't have many tomorrows?

...

...

...

Snapping out of his haze, the young man suddenly leaned forth and grabbed the silken fingers that'd slipped away, pulling his unsuspecting wife close for the second time that evening. With her securely tucked in his clutches, he tilted his head in the direction of the screen at the entrance - behind which, stood his best mate, waiting. 'Ibrahim...'

'Akbar? Are you there?'

'Yes... there has been a small change of plan...'

'Change of plan? How do you mean?'

'Pack your bags... and get started to leave on this mission...'

'Oh...' Ibrahim was confused. And he made little effort to hide it in his voice 'alright'

'Oh...' Heera was confused. And she made no effort to conceal it in her stares.

But before she could speak, Akbar took his fingers up to her lips and blinked once, to silence her worries. Then twice, for reassurance. 'I know what I'm doing'

'Alright' came Ibrahim's long and slow murmur from the other side - making it obvious that his mind was still racing through the possibilities that might've caused this abrupt 'change of plan'. Decoding the Sahib's intentions was never an easy challenge. But he couldn't help wonder if this was somehow related to all those truths that Chacha jaan had spouted out to bhabhijaan earlier.

'Anyhow, I shall take your leave, Akbar... Inshallah, I'll see you in a week... with positive updates to...'

'But I'll be joining you anyway' Akbar spoke over the man - the pause that followed, only compounding the questions in the minds of both - his wife and his friend. 'Well...' that awkward pause later, he cleared his throat that was still gruff from the strain of several shifting thoughts and emotions 'Having only returned from the capital this morning, I'm exhausted... I plan to take it slow for a few hours... rest for a bit... I'll ride at the crack of dawn, and catch up with you soon...'

'Catch up with me soon?'

'Fine...' Ibrahim replied a moment later - the confusion in his pitch eventually layering out into something else altogether. Aha! 'So, THAT's what this is about?' No doubt, the Sahib was exhausted - which was why his men had tried convincing him to stay back at Parnagarh in the first place. But it seems the one who'd actually got him to change his mind him was Harka Sahiba. 'It appears you were right Chacha jaan!'

In all the years that he'd known the man, the Ustaad never really prioritised his personal well-being, his emotions or his needs in the mundane existence he led. At long last, he'd finally met someone who made him want to do so. And frankly, Ibrahim couldn't be happier for him.

'Akbar, my friend...' there was a playful smirk beneath the sigh. 'Khuda Hafiz'

'Mirza Sahib...' Akbar was well-aware his mate had worked it all out. But he tried and kept a straight tone to spare himself from the embarrassment of any further playful smirks. 'If and when you meet our friend first, you keep him safe...'

'Of course...' nodded Ibrahim recognising that the Ustaad had avoided mentioning the term 'informer'. Possibly since bhabhijaan was with him.

'And... YOU stay safe too!'

'I will...'

There was plenty else Ibrahim could have added, to wish his friend right then. But he left it at a very telling 'Shab-ba-khair... rest well'

With Ibrahim gone, Akbar observed how his decision had sketched fresh brushstrokes of surprise around her brows.

A surprise, which gradually turned to disbelief.

And disbelief into elation.

'No Begum... I haven't left yet... I'm still here... with you'

'You haven't left yet...' she uttered, still reeling from the gravity of his gesture. He'd postponed his departure by a few hours solely to be with her. It was something she'd never expected. And a gesture she'd never forget. 'You're still here... with me'

'Yes...'

Well, his body and mind served the Huzoor. His heart and soul was devoted to her. So he'd rolled his plans out in a way that the course of his actions would honour both.

No doubt, he could have waited for a 'fresh' day, after his return - and hopefully, God had written innumerable such days ahead for them. But none of those days, would be THIS precious day when the walls had finally been torn down. None of those nights would be the memorable night that his wife had wholeheartedly accepted the Ustaad. None of them would compare to this precious moment when they'd both acknowledged their true feelings for the first time. 'Yes Heera...' he pulled her in tighter 'for a little while longer'

Once certain the news had sunk in, he leaned his face by her forehead, wondering how he must further the conversation. The turn of events had unfolded spontaneously and his mind was quite unprepared. Besides, some of the thoughts lingering in there were not easy to voice - not even for the most eloquent. And being gifted with the boon of love didn't imply he'd be granted the skills of a poet too. So, the adventurer in him decided to resort to a different strategy - by laying his ideas out in the form of a vivid image to convey his desires to his new bride.

'As you've heard Heera, I ride away at the crack of dawn... the few lone hours I have till then, I'd like to continue making this new journey with my companion for life - my bride... a beautiful journey that we'd only just started undertaking... a journey where we create and collect new memories along the way... as we travel together... towards oneness...' the back of his fingers ran long tender lines by her cheeks 'I take it, my bride has no issues to continue journeying down these blissful paths with me'

'As we travel together... towards oneness...' The significance of that imagery sucked out the air from her lungs, turning the fair stretches of her skin red from the heat of a sudden thrill. Aware that every facet of her reaction was coming under his ever-so-vigilant gazes, she smiled a nervous half-smile through closed eyes. But when even that left her feeling exposed, Heera lay her temple against his chest, concealing her features altogether. He was awaiting an answer. But how was she supposed to reply, when her mind had turned blank? It was as if she'd been enveloped by a breath-taking fog of emotions. A fog in which she couldn't see, or even think clearly - and yet, a fog that was enchanting to be ambushed by.

Nevertheless, he deserved an answer. And she owed him one. A mere 'yes' or a nod wouldn't do justice to that unique proposal. So, she found her way out of the fog to respond in kind - using those vivid images he'd shown her to indulge the adventurer in him.

'I... I am...' she persevered with murmurs for words since her lips had turned completely dry 'I am your companion for life, Khan Sahib... true, I might not see very well... or ride a horse... true, the roads so far have been tumultuous...still my hand is willingly fastened to yours... and I travel where you take me... because I have faith, my Sahib - that without you... any journey I take... along any path... on any day... cannot be beautiful'

'Subanallah' There, she'd done it again. Tugged at his heart strings like never before.

Splaying his hands across her back, he held her closer, her loose locks threading through his fingers. Resting his lips lightly against the borla, he paused, giving her time - till her anxious limbs eased into his. Slowly, her hands gained confidence and slipped over his waist, inch by inch, till they went all the way around. And no sooner than he perceived his embrace being returned with equal fervour, the smile that'd been lurking underneath, surfaced upon his lips.

It was their most enchanting memory yet, where they stood intertwined for many beats, with not a care for the world.

So enchanting that they both knew not how to nudge the spell on.

Surprisingly though, it was Heera who broke her silence first. 'It's a cold winter's night... would you join me in having a warm drink?'

Originally posted by: melovesja

Hola baisas 😊 congratulation and happy new year to all🤗

Tzr.

Ks on the way to shape up himself silently and whole lot is worried about his health. Hope medicine reach on time for further hilling.😭

Originally posted by: Kalgi22

My dear B&Bs 🤗

We did it!! Many Congratulations for our new home!! 🥳

Originally posted by: Testmytest

Congratulations Lashy!! And everyone for the new thread!!

Happy New Year to all of you, wishing you all a happy, healthy and fulfilling New Year's!!! 🤗🤗🤗

Thanks a ton... and wish you snd your family the same dearie 🤗

Love you all, thank you for being here sharing all your life's instances with all of us. We all bring something special and unique to the house, feel blessed to be here 😊

Special Thank you to our dearest Author Sahiba for keeping us all here!! Love you!!

Mwaah...

Where art thou, Rekha? 😭

Originally posted by: Sabdabhala

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE ON THE NEW THREAD 😉

SUPER TEASER LASHY 👏 WILL COMMENT ON IT LATER 😆

BINDUP WHAT A WONDERFUL MESSAGE 👏

YOU ARE OUR SWEETEST BAISA DEAR 🤗 QUITE LIKE THE ANGEL THAT YOU HAVE MENTIONED IN YOUR GM MESSAGE

I TOO LOVE THE WORLD THAT WE HAVE HERE. ALL BAISAS AMAZINGLY SWEET LOVELY AND TALENTED

Originally posted by: 5791

Hello to all the baisas of HBAS .Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year.