ArHi FF:11:The BEASTS and the BLEEDING ROSES

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Saraa

@..Saraa..

Inactive

+ 3

Posted: 10 years ago

#771

Linny we miss you so much! 😭
Hope to see see you soon! :)

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Rabiabegum

@Rabiabegum

Navigator

Posted: 10 years ago

#772

where are you??? I'm upset and sad that you don't care about your readers. No note, nothing!!! If you don't want to finish or if it's too much bother, please let us know. So we can move on. I hope everything is ok with u.

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rockingsoni

@rockingsoni

Voyager

+ 3

Posted: 10 years ago

#773

Hey Lin, waiting patiently dear...

Tek care and come back soon...:)

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aparnav

@aparnav

Explorer

Posted: 10 years ago

#774

No problem linnie..we will wait for the update...take care dear..love

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Aquiline

@Aquiline

Dazzler

+ 5

Posted: 10 years ago

#775

I know the huge gap in the updates must have rendered you all hopeless. It did puncture MY thrive a bit too. But I so want to complete the narration of this tale and I will try my best to not disappoint you further. But first, I want to thank all those who remained patient and bearing all through the previous weeks of my absence. Happy Easter to all those who I couldn't wish...

Allow me to take this time to appreciate individually all the comments made to the previous update and to thank each of you for your love and perseverance to stick by this story...

Originally posted by: Uttara.
Beautiful updt lin.. The scene where nani was eager to take her granddaughter in her arms was really adorable..n the one where watching Arnav holding the child n Anjali wished for him to be father soon...*so sweet* & in the end i felt bad fr general too but overall it was very Nice updt.. tc dear.!!

Oh thank you so much dear from picking out the tiny gestures in the update and even feeling for my Genny!

Originally posted by: sriif
Awesome update... ceremony went fine without any obstacles... loved baby jhas name... Arnav is changed because of khushi but not ready to accept lordy... loved their cute conversation

Thank you dear for loving the chapter finding the ceremony pleasing enough!

Originally posted by: Angels11
Oh Boy I am with Anjali. When is Arnav gng to consummate his wedding with Khushi. Shyam the creep said something bt Arnav not making love to her intentionally since it will kill her. Oh God wat did tat mean? I want tat scene very badly. These stolen moments r not enuf for me 😳

Chuckle! Don't worry too much dear Angels. All will be well in time...*wink*

Originally posted by: momoahmd
wowww...
what an update dear..👏
really enjoyed reading it...
glad that arshi have become Godparents ov new bundle ov enjoy..
General;well he is as usual sooo creepy...
continue soon...
eagerly waiting 4 the next part...
n
welcomeee back...🥳

Ah, yes. I decided I'll make them godparents instead of Mami and Mamaji. Glad you love it dear!

Originally posted by: 9351594004
U r on time dear. Good change in lordy. Very nice chappy all nd all

I was on time and then I vanished again. Thank you for loving the chapter, dear!

Originally posted by: Rabiabegum
Wow!!! Welcome back:)). Amazing updates as usual. Missed you a lot.

I missed you all too. I couldn't even leave behind any chapters to fill the silence during my absence. Sorry, dear.

Originally posted by: amira039.303
Awesome update! Loved it! The moment between the general and Arnav was awkward! Loved the bit where arshi become the child's godparents. The arshi scene at the end was cute - loved it
Please update soon

Amira! So lovely to see you... I am glad you loved it dear.

Originally posted by: sheshnag1952
wonderful update. Love the way the first lord did all the ceremony. Although he said he did it for his di's daughter we all know that he also did it to make his wife happy. The name given to anjali's daughter is fitting. Though jha was it necessary. And the way the first lord and lady talk in the end is also wonderful. But that moment was destroyed by mention of the sneaky snake. Hope he soon goes away someplace far from arishia. Which i know is not possible. waiting to read more. please update soon.

Oh! You want my Genny (your sneaky snake) to leave Arhasia...*sniff* Very well.

Love your take on the chapter's effect on you...

Originally posted by: purplelove
Welcome Princess.
Lin, great job. 👏

Thanks for the cake. I vote for the gown that was pictured on the far right. It screams Greek Goddess.

I knew you'd pick that gown. Thanks for finding the time to step into the Inn and even leave behind these lovely words...

Originally posted by: mpuhan
it was a beautiful ceremony. May the princess Anarkali Jha receive all the love and blessings from those who come in contact with her.
I feel so bad for lady Anjali. As a mother, it is a nightmare to see her child being snubbed and rejected by her father. But the love of her child will keep her strong and I know when the time comes lady Anjali will turn against the General to protect her child.
As for the first Lord,... aaww he is a softy inside whether he scowls or not.

Ah! You blessed her! You blessed our Anarkali! I know I was a bit hard on Anjali in that situation but I have to have things to steer by...

And as usual... your lordy love!

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Aquiline

@Aquiline

Dazzler

+ 5

Posted: 10 years ago

#776

Originally posted by: khareshelley
youngest member arrives..!!!!!!
superb updates...!!!!!!!
we will wait for next update..!!!

Yay! Yes! The youngest member in so far of the story! Loved how you felt it like it was a family circle dear to you!

Originally posted by: MEsw
Okay so new arrival is here and not only that even accepted...
The girl ( ghost girl ) Is very smart. He was fooled and this little munchkin double fooled him...liked it very much...when Khrushchev voiced her doubts about refusal to accept his child by Shyam...I was thinking ...do they have DNA testing? Shud make him not run away from this...

I loved how Lady Anjali not only got her princess ( unlike in serial,where she was never blessed with one) and also she was accepted by Shyam...by hook or crook...doesn't matter.

Oh my goodness! Are you saying the ghost girl is playing "fool, you're it" with Shyamwa? Tricky! I am relieved I could make that slight correction in the plot by bringing to life a child who was unnecessarily eradicated in the show... Always happy to see you come this way, sw!!

Originally posted by: ..KittyKat..
Dearest Anarkali,
You are most welcome to the Raizada Clan.

I love you.<3

Oh! This is cute, KK! You wrote a tiny "welcome home, love you" letter to our sweet baby! That is real lovely of you!

Originally posted by: shalini_s
beautiful FF.. got time to read this only today.. medieval times FF.. loved it...

loved the word 'lordy'... too good 😛

Originally posted by: glitter5
Read all chapters in 1 go.
Superb story.
Love your characters and wondering about the book of chinese princess.Curious about arnav's curse and hood lady.

Thank you dear Shalini and Glitter, for finding your path to Arhasia and staying back to find out more about the story. Everyone's dying to know more into the mysteries of the tale, glitter, and as I always say, it will be revealed in the right time. Which is very soon, actually.

Originally posted by: nadiafarjana
Beautiful update

Originally posted by: flowers4u
loved it an absolutely wonderful update... the baby is so cute ...can't wait to read more...keep it up

Originally posted by: SanayaMyLIFE
Superb Amazing update

Originally posted by: puthalvi
awesome update.. beautifully written :)
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Originally posted by: twinki
Nice update

Originally posted by: neha2013g
awesome update.. beautifully written :)

Originally posted by: MysticRiver
awesome...it was a beautiful update...just too good...superb...keep up the good work...👏

Originally posted by: arshi_sarun
Arnav and khushis convo was so cute

Originally posted by: rini_kat
Love the update😊

Originally posted by: sutapasarbabhom
Butiful updt you describe the ceremony butifuly

Originally posted by: indhuza
neatlypresented

Originally posted by: prpk525
Loved it :)

Originally posted by: kaur94
Sweet update

Originally posted by: aashikhan120
amazing update dear😊😊

Originally posted by: siamesecat
Wonderful update!

Originally posted by: ..aishi..
that was so beautiful
loved the whole scene

Thank you my dears and I am always happy that I can get to narrate this tale to you...

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Aquiline

@Aquiline

Dazzler

+ 5

Posted: 10 years ago

#777

Originally posted by: lovedrops
Linny,... Finally I am here commenting. You won't believe it.. I read both chapters right after you updated. But couldn't get time. I wanted to comment peacefully. Its a marvelous come back linny,... Both updates are excellent. The pomegranates..magestic Arnav,.. Angelic Khushi. The orchard scene is just poetic.

What a brilliant way of expressing the name ceremony linny. The pic you posted is simply super... Your writing brought the entire scene in front of my eyes. Most of all.. More than the baby the whole update was stolen by Arnav. E changed so much. He agreed to everything and participated in each and every rasam. One day khushi.. Your baby will be in his arms... Wow such an intense blessing and wish Anjali had given. I am also waiting for that moment. Here mr. Jha.. Who lost fighting with his demons... Approved his daughter without his knowledge. Poor him..

Looking forward to read what will happen next. Arnavwas so cute while repeating whatever nani is saying...lol.

Welcome back Linny..🤗

You came and I vanished. Sheesh! What a fate that beholds us in such paradoxes!

I see, so Lordy caught the night's spotlight for you...Yup, he's changed a lot. I personally want everyone to think good everyone else. Not like the way Anajli in the show had gone all betrayed and jealous when she saw her brother trying to have a private birthday celebration for his wife... But yay! Atleast our Lady Anjali is a "feeling happy for you" sister.

Hope you are doing well, dear.

Originally posted by: casper
Lin,,,, 🤗

Firstly...welcome back & welcome to our lil Princess Anarkali as well...!! Something to cherish for a while...! She is so so beautiful.

Am doing a very short take and quick take,,, time pressed right now but will & I need to get into the groove now to come back with better feed backs...

But love love the whole ceremony written... Beautiful. crisp and to the point.. I guess the break has done you good... your write up's are getting better & they just plays in front of me... & that makes it amazingly awesome.. for me that make the writer ⭐️👏

What took you so long to figure the name out..?? I thot u would go on the lines of pomegranate...? there cld not have been a better name than Anarkali...

& may I say I am pleasantly surp by General Jha...!!👏👏 This guy does have some sort of etetiquette... His displeasure is evident n he schools it so well too.. but said & done i feel terrible for him... he is so blinded rite now that he is unable to see the connection... & did he see the face of the spooky girl or his mother? Mother I am guessing . PS what if he had openly not accepted ? or rather whats happens from the mytho point of view if the father does not accept the child ?

😛 Lordy & Khusi... Guess they just leave me with a smile & warmth on me... I thot at a point you would make them adopt the baby if general had refused it,,

Where were Aakash & Payal ??

Love !!

Goodness me!! I almost did a double take when I saw you'd come. So, you'd already guessed I would name her something related to the pomegranates? Darn! I should learn to hide my clues better next time!

Eh...Akash and payal were there but since I didn't wan them to do much in this particular chapter, they remained in the background. Don;'t worry. The rest of the coming chapters are exclusively theirs. And I didn't even consider the choice of Genny's rejection of the child, so there's no what if for now... I knew I had to make him accept the child some way or the other! Phew! Well, that hurdle's over at least.

Always love your conniving takes on the chapters!!

Originally posted by: hoopoe

First things first... "My best wishes and greetings to Princess Anarkali Jha for a bright future and prosperous life"... Welcome to Arhasia little Princess... 🤗

Dear Lin, thanks for giving us this one long chapter... I very much needed one to reacquaint myself with the happenings and characters of Arhasia... 😳

@ Amphidromia... the description about the ceremony was very elaborate... No one will believe that it was creatively written exclusively for this tale. The rituals followed and the words uttered were so logical and credible...⭐️

@ Gen. Jha... im relieved that we didn't witness any drama from his side. But i wonder why he's still confused about his nightmares. I thought after seeing the spooky girl's earlier (defeated/ angry) reaction, he'll try to join the dots... 😕

Btw, was it her mother's face that his daughter's face resembled?

@ Anarkali... Never in my dreams i have thought of this name. On hearing it first i was surprised as this name doesn't come under your style of naming characters but after reading your old post, i found the name reasonable... So no complaints. (But honestly i thought her name must be something related to Khushi/ Happiness.)

@ Lordy & Khushi... Its so heartwarming to see these two so relaxed... leading normal hubby wifey conversation... pulling each others legs... openly showering love without any inhibition... its endearing to watch them. ❤️

A beautiful chapter on the whole giving insight to so many things and glimpses of the future. But the real eye opener was your old post... Loved it. 👏

I always kept thinking of what you would think about the name and the ceremony once I'd let it come to light. I am overjoyed and touched to see you loved them, Hoopoe. My greatest surprise was seeing you arrive at the chapter first and even take the time at that very moment to read and comment on it, Yes, I had brought in mostly all of the characters, except a few, and I am immensely happy you found the chapter "appreciate-worthy." (There's no word like that, I am certain of it). How are you Hoopoe? How is the family? I always miss the conversations at the Cottage...

Originally posted by: maverickmartin
I love her name. I love little Anarkali.
And I like you for putting SO much effort into this story!

Baby Ana catches his ring finger. Ahem. People, speculate, please. ;p

And this I never expected! Mavykins! Okay, that's another kins altogether! But you know what I loved best more than your nickname of the child and your suggestion of speculation? Your Ahem.

Its in the little gestures that a person on a page feels real and ruddy! And I love you for that.

How are your stories coming so far? What are you upto these days?

Originally posted by: -Farwa_Ibrahim-
Chapter 261

I loved the last dress for you. OK now before anything I loved the name and your perception abt it. n now let the commenting ceremony begins

The whole atmosphere n scene was so beautiful to imagine. So Jha was there though he hated it. and here's the dress I imagine that Lady Anjali dressed

or

I was feeling each n every emotion of Anjali. she has witnessed his hatred for the baby so many times.

Reluctantly, Lady Anjali presented him the child, holding her in her hands and keeping
her slightly at bay, closer to her than to him.

Now this was such a sweet gesture.

His eyes met his wife's worried gaze and immediately looked away.
Then he felt it.
The bundle moved on his lap.
He looked down and realized the being in the bundle had come alive, its eyes opening and staring
wonderingly at the face above it.

omg its as if she sensed there is something wrong. As if she was able to feel the tension oozing out off the whole surroundings.

A flash of a memory and he saw her: The beautiful woman with soot on her cheeks
and weariness in her eyes, smiling up at him from where she was crouched...

A woman not a girl... omg who was she? his mother? another victim in his search for cure or a victim who instigated this curse?

He could almost feel the heat of her cursed touch searing through his cursed skin even if she
were only touching a button. Was she going to burn him to ashes that very moment?

what if she trying to show u that this is not the heat to burn u but the warmth tio love u.

Alarmed, he tried to move her hand away and had barely touched her fingers when she clamped
them around his ring finger and opened her voiceless mouth to toothlessly giggle at him.

And the fates made him accept his daughter.

Aweee Arnav n Khushi r godparents of little Anarkali ... love it... loved reading the whole ceremony.

Lord Arnav fidgeted mentally for the right words, "I have decided to be the godfather to my
sister's daughter. I will to protect her with all my strength and sustenance even when her fath-"
Kushi tugged at his hand, interrupting his speech, as she flashed a grin at Nani, "He's not too
poetic with words, Nani, but he means he's happy to be her godfather."

so he was gng to slip the jha's name well I m not surprised.
Love him BTW for what he said now n again to Anjali. hahaha Lordy presenting Anarkali to Gen was such a light scene loved it.

Lord Arnav was on his defensive, "Ofcourse I am accustomed to caring for those weaker and
littler than me! How else do you explain my marrying you and keeping you by my side?"
Kushi frowned playfully, "Back to your arrogant self again. Well, permit me to remind you: I can
take care of myself and seek not your protection, Lordy!"
"Lordy?" Lord Arnav scowled, "Where are your wifely manners, woman?"
Looking away, Kushi lifted her head in a proud nod, "I purposefully forgot them in our chamber in
the Castle."
A sly glint shone in Lord Arnav's eyes, "Then let's go get them."
Kushi shot him an astonished look, "My lord, do you forget we are standing in a Temple? Such
talk is forbidden within these pillars."
Lord Arnav leaned closer to her, "I am the Lord of this land. I can talk any way I fancy with my
wife any where that my moment finds me."
And then he planted a quick kiss on her cheek, making her blush with embarrassment for some
toddlers had been looking in their direction.
"You are unlawful!" mumbled Kushi, annoyed, but she didn't shirk his arm off when it wrapped
itself around the back of her shoulder.

I love this part so so sooo damn much... it was brilliant

Farwa my darling!!! Do you know how much I loved reading through your comments for the sheer innocence and feel in carries! Your pictures rock the best! Not just of your emotional reactions or of the attire possibilities... but also the gifts for the child and most importantly, the delicious treats!!! Goodness, Farwa, where DO you get your pictures from!!

Always loving you for the way you are!! Sweet Green Hearted Girl!

Originally posted by: crazy4ArnavSR
Happy 3rd Anniversary Linnie! :)

Originally posted by: bablio09

Happy Anniversary to our dear narrator aquiLINe, our tale, our comrades and all the readers of this wonderful magical, fantabulous story.

Congratulations !

Originally posted by: sansu
Happpy anniversary to my dear tale, to my dear storyteller linny, to my dear comrades and to dear readers!
Smiles, laughs, hugs and kisses to be showered on all of yu! ;-) ;-) ;-p

And to think that Lent crossed over and I completely missed the Anniversary too... Khair! Its okay. We'll celebrate it in full swing once I can get my hands on a system with a steady network that won't betray me... Congrats to all my readers and to my dear Bablio, Meg, Sansu and Farwa for all the wishes and for remembering the story and its irresponsible writer in your heart... hugs and love all around!!

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Aquiline

@Aquiline

Dazzler

+ 5

Posted: 10 years ago

#778

I know the absence of the Storyteller has been unnervingly long but my duel with circumstances still prevail. I am terrible terribly TERRIBLY sorry for what I am leading you all to endure. The phases of abject trails that test and torment "your patience and trust in me" to a more turbulently dangerous level that could render it completely nonexistent.

I am sorry. Really sorry.

But I have made a promise and I will complete the tale. As I told Aura once, if something alerts me to the realization that in no way I will be able to complete the story the way I want to, I will resort to narrating the rest of the tale in a capsule form so you can feel the sense of completion and have the closure you require in the assured culmination of the story.

However, I am yet to have that sense arrive for even to this very moment, I have felt confident (despite the massive gaps and vanishings I have committed) that I will always be able to return by some way and resume the story like nothing had happened to break it...

I am still in the flow of the tale, still in the spirit of the plot...and as long as I find the time and medium to reach out to you, I will keep on narrating the story like I always did from when I first commenced the tale 3 years ago...

I hope you will all forgive me and allow me to narrate the rest of the story to you... And I am so glad to be back.

Before you read the following chapter, you may need to brush up your memory of what is happening and what state every character is in. The Day of the Ceremony, you see, had not been entirely over.

Now to the tiny chapter before the huge events come. Oh yes. They are coming real fast. The story is nearly ending, you see, and we are about to start revealing the answers to the mysteries. All beginning with the coming track...

Chapter 262: The Night of the Ceremony

The absence of the Guptas, at the Ceremony of little Anarkali's Amphidromia, set the departing train of carriages heading, not for the Castle, but for the North Village where, as you will remember on accord of Lord Arnav's interference, Master Shashi had been restored his old home and his mill.

On reaching the Gupta Cottage, the Raizadas found Mistress Madhumati there, who had arrived from the South Village to tend to her sister-in-law who had fallen ill overnight and was unable to do her chores or venture outside the house as should be supposed.

The aunt of the girls was overjoyed by the arrival of the Raizadas and her elation doubled when Lady Deviyani handed her the bundle of joy who, she was told, was her little Princess too as much as she was the Raizadas'.

The aunt was pleased to meet Ram once again, dressed in his decent attire and looking well and happy.

"Master Happyji misses you so," mumbled Madhumati, as she playfully pulled at Ram's cheek.

Kushi winced at the sight, for she knew from experience how annoyingly painful that loving gesture of Buaji's was.

While Madhumati, with the help of Payal and Kushi, served the rest of the Raizadas tea, Lady Anjali stood at the doorway of the Cottage with her baby in her arms, looking into the shadowy outside and wondering where her husband had wandered off to on their return. She was certain he had been with her as they were descending down the Temple.

Presently, the form of a man walking in the direction of the cottage caught her eye and Lady Anjali looked up earnestly, hoping it to be her husband, but it was only Master Shashi, returning from his visit to the herbalist with a tiny parchment packing of herbs in his hand.

"Master Shashi," greeted Lady Anjali with a smile, though her heart had sunk at the disappointment of him not being her husband, "What did the herbalist say?"

Master Shashi bowed to her and then, noticing the little baby in her arms, bend down and kissed the little one's forehead, "I am sorry, little Princess of Arhasia, that I could not be present at your naming ceremony." And then he looked up at Lady Anjali, "What have you named her?"

"Anarkali," said Lady Anjali, and then she asked again, "What did the herbalist say, Master Shashi?"

"He gave me some herbs which, if made into a potion, would bring Garima back to her usual self."
Just then Lady Deviyani appeared at the doorway.

"What happened to Garima, Master Shashi?" asked Lady Deviyani, "She was quite well last day, well enough to write me a reply to assure me that you would all be present at the Temple."

"She caught a cold after a dream she had last night," explained Master Shashi apologetically, "But the herbalist is certain the panacea he's given will cure her of it."

"A dream?" Lady Deviyani mused to herself, "How strange..."

"Amma?" Kushi inquired into the room, the door of which she held open little enough to let her head peek in and see her mother laying on the bed in the darkness that was lit by a single melting candle.

"Who is that?" Garima asked, sitting up groggily, and then her mouth curved to smile, "Kushibitiya?"

The willing address of her mother brought Kushi walking into the room, towards the bed, whereupon reaching she sat on its edge and looked at her mother, "What happened, Amma? Did you stay too long in the sun that you caught this untimely cold?"

Garima sniffled and then inclined her head to the pillow, "I am only relieved to see you..."

She took Kushi's hand and then whispered into the air, "Oh, Divine Powers, keep my child safe."

Kushi sighed, "Amma, I am safe."

Garima smiled weakly in return, "I am your mother. I will never be sure you are safe until I see that you are."

"Well, can't you see it now?" Kushi asked playfully.

"Yes," Garima whispered, a tear drop escaping its enclosure in her eye, "I see you, my child."

Just then Payal appeared at the doorway, "Kushi, Babuji's come and he's calling for you."

Kushi leaned down and kissed her mother on her cheek, "I will see if Babuji has bought the herbs so that as soon as you are healed you can start taunting my misdeeds again!"

After Kushi had left the room, Payal sat beside her mother on the bed and caressed her hair, "Amma, the last time you fell ill like this was when..." She paused and then asked, "Is it a bad dream that caused you this cold?"

Garima looked up at her daughter's face, "I am afriad it is. And I fear something might happen to her."

"Don't be so superstitious, Amma!" Payal shook her head, "Just because the last time you had it Kushi had been drowned, doesn't mean-"

Garima interjected from a trance of memory, "That night I saw the world tearing apart and water swallowing a little girl. I saw her struggling to breathe and turning pale. I still remember how it felt almost like I was the one being drowned."

Payal was sympathetic, "What did you see this time?"

Garima looked at her daughter, her aged eyes stricken with anxiety, "I saw something horrible, a being so terrible that no human eye dare look to it lest its vision strike you to death..."

Payal held her mother's hand with worry for the latter's face had suddenly gone pale as though she were seeing it.

Garima continued in a wary whisper, staring at the ceiling as though the fearsome creature was shaping itself to birth on her roof, "I saw it plunging down to the depths and chasing after her..."

Against her own wavering disbelief of superstitions, Payal found herself asking, "Did you see her face?"

"No," Garima said, "She was running away from the creature and away from me..."

All of a sudden the mother broke down, "Oh, Payalia! How can I protect my child from harm? What does this horrid dream mean? Some horrible mishap is about to befall my child again!"

"Be assured, Amma, she is not in harm's way, " Payal comforted her mother, "I won't let anything happen and nor would Lord Arnav. Do you know how much he cares for her and protects her? Nothing will encounter her life with danger as long as he is there..."

Garima tried to smile, "Maybe so but a mother has her worries..." She held her daughter's hand and whispered as though from a sleep, "You will watch over her, won't you Payalia, like how you always did all these years..."

"I will always be there for my little sister," Payal smiled, "Now close you eyes and sleep so you may find your calm. I will see if the potion is ready."

She realized her mother was already asleep and was about to leave when she noticed her hand was still held captive her in her mother's yearning clasp.

Payal's eyes moistened and she breathed out, "I wish I could tell you, Amma, but I shan't tonight..."

She kissed her mother's hand and then released her own, "I know what you have felt all these years of being a mother for I am beginning to feel it too."

Leaning down, she whispered to her sleeping ear, " You are going to be a grandmother soon, Amma, and I can't wait to see you hold my child..."

Later that night, when the exhausted but delighted family had returned and retired to their rooms, Lady Anjali slipped into her nightgown and wondered worriedly where her husband had vanished to.

He had gone missing as soon as the Ceremony was over and had not appeared even once. After ritual had forbid him to seeing his wife and his child for a week, how could he continue staying away?

Absentmindedly she hummed a lullaby as her hands rocked Anarkali to sleep in her new cradle.

When her child was sound asleep, she found herself gazing down lovingly at its pretty little moon-kissed face.

"My beautiful Princess," she whispered affectionately, and then bend down and kissed upon its tender cheek.

As she straightened up, the corner of her eye caught a dark shadow fly across the night sky.

She froze for a moment, assuring herself that she had imagined it.

She turned to her bed, intending to get into it, but instead she paused.

She had to make sure.

She looked at her child as though unsure about leaving her untended, but murmured a prayer into the air for her protection and then she was noiselessly out of the door and making her way to the huge doors of the living room.

All the time, her heart was with her child but she felt she was needed elsewhere.

Barefooted, she scampered across the hallway, through the massive doors, down the cold steps and into the green lawn.

She didn't know which way to go but her feet were running in the direction of the lake that was beside the Castle.

Turning the bend of the wall, she froze and stared at the sight.

Her husband, naked and shivering, lay pale beside the cold lake.

"Shyamji!" Lady Anjali ran towards him and, on reaching him, threw herself on the ground, crouching before him.

His face was pressed to the grass and there was a blanket of fresh sweat along his back.

"My love..." she breathed as she turned him and held his face in her hands.

He exhaled weakly and then opened his eyes.

On seeing her, his face softened, "Lady Queen..."

"I was worried for you," whispered Lady Anjali, her eyes tearing up.

Still laying where he was, he looked around as though studying where he was.

Gradually, his limbs regained their strength and the fog in his head had faded to clearer insights.

Just then a thought crossed his mind and he looked up at his wife, "Is the child here?"

Lady Anjali's heart leaped with joy that he was asking after his daughter.

"She's asleep in her cradle," she smiled through her tears, "Do you not want to see her?"

"No," he replied curtly, as he sat up.

Lady Anjali withdrew as suddenly as she had been struck on the cheek.

He knew she had turned cold with fear at his retort but he was resolute.

His eyes bore down on her as he stood up, "I do not intend to make a theatrical of pretense that I love the child. What I cannot do, I will not let make believe."

"How can you not love your own child?" Lady Anjali was startled.

He looked away, unable to bear the grief on her face.

And then anger overtook him and he frowned down at her, where she sat immobilized, "That is NOT a child! That is my curse come to drown me in my doom!"

"No!!" Lady Anjali shot angrily, as she got to her feet, "You are blind if you see not your own offspring but a figment of your past!"

"My curse is not a figment! And you know it!"

"But your love is?" Lady Anjali asked, hotly but brokenly.

He stilled, the cold air slapping against him.

She stepped towards him, "Tell me, Shyamji, is your love for me also not true?"

He stared at her, impaled of words.

Her eyes widened in shock at the silence that he had permitted into the space between them to form itself as an answer.

Realizing what he had done, he turned away and interjected, "I hate the child not you."

Lady Anjali was not convinced, "How can you love me while hating the child I begot from my womb?"

"You are not my curse; she is," he looked at her.

"Your child is NOT a curse," asserted Lady Anjali coldly, "Not to you, not to anyone!"

The General shrugged disapprovingly and began walking in the direction of the Castle.

Lady Anjali scampered after him and, reaching up to his pace, stepped before him and brought his strides to a stop.

"You will not let this void hang in time, unanswered," she stated coldly, "As much as I am in need to be at my child's side this very minute, I am as much compelled to hear the truth from you."

His expression was passive, his eyes remote on her face, "What do you want to know?"

"Why do you suppose our child to be a curse?"

He sighed exasperatedly and then decided to answer, "I have told you before."

"What?"

"About the girl who crept in my dreams and sometimes in my conscious visions."

Lady Anjali frowned, "You never told me she appeared to you when you were awake."

"Well, she did," he grunted impatiently.

"What has that got to do with our child?"

"She looks like the child!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Lady Anjali was disbelieving.

"The same eyes, the same hair," the General spoke as though in some fearful memory, "And tonight when I held the babe in my arms at the Ceremony, I felt that evil grip of her gaze, punishing me, destroying me!"

"You are ranting from your imagination-"

"I am telling you the truth!"

The General sounded desperate, "And after the child was born, the girl stopped appearing in my nightmares. You know why?"

Lady Anjali was befuddled, "Why?"

"Because she is appeared in flesh and can haunt me for real!"

Lady Anjali shook her head, "It cannot be true... what you say, cannot be true..."

"Believe it if you will," the General said, "But I am far from loving it."

And with that he walked away and Lady Anjali stood, shaken, in the cold night.

She closed her eyes and a pained tear drop slid down her helpless cheek, "Watch over my child, please... and watch over her father too..."

And then she turned about and raced back to the Castle, her motherly protectiveness gearing itself in new-found resolve.

I have resumed updating the Index with regard to the dates of future updates. Be assured, I will come back. Always. And yes, I can and will update on Saturday. Probably in the early morning hours or late in the evening...

Love you all.

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