AZMA FF-Ishq da Ruthba Chap 9New note pg76

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BabyHimavari

@BabyHimavari

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 9 years ago

#311

Originally posted by: milinda.shreyz

tum kaun ho bhai ?? 😲
Is this Ria ?? if yes, then I must say u have chosen a very ajeeb user name. Babywhat ??😆

If no, plz ignore my crude remark about ur id.
But then jehetu tui eto pyaar sey di dakchis, Ria i hobi 😆.
Itz fine darling...late toh ki, exams are more important that story reviews...moreover i am not going anywhere and the thread is not gonna perish. u can come here and post chapter wise review later, like Gita has done. see, she posted alag alag reviews for all the chapters, as she read it in a go.

All the best for the exam.Roct it ! and come back to us as soon as u r done 😃
love ya !

hain ami ria...😆...
exam er late ache di... but next puja vacation e amra long trip e jachi..dhare nao mostly half a month won't be attach to studies... and i have some important subjects to cover... tai trip e jaoar agey cover kare jete chai.. afterall trip e giye too aar studies habena serakam.....

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#312

Originally posted by: BabyHimavari

hain ami ria...😆...
exam er late ache di... but next puja vacation e amra long trip e jachi..dhare nao mostly half a month won't be attach to studies... and i have some important subjects to cover... tai trip e jaoar agey cover kare jete chai.. afterall trip e giye too aar studies habena serakam.....

tor ki Graduation er final exam samne ?😲

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#313

Originally posted by: GitaIyer
Chapter 3

I;m loving the multi-talented Mahira. Quite a literary genius she is.

Mahira running behind Adaq Ali Janab and entering the dreaded bamboo groove, all alone - Should I call it bravery or insanity or desperation?

The voices in the groove were scary, even while reading. Didn't help that I was imagining the scene.
Mahira, Atta girl, did exact opposite of what the voices commanded her to do? That's some good thinking .This girl has her brain in right place, and wits aplenty and doesn't panic in dire situations. Reminded me of on-screen Maahira shouting for help sitting calmly on a haystack playing with hays.

And Amaad makes entry in tow with Shiraj - full of attitude and seems to be flirty

Nice scary update Shreya. And sorry for the delay in replying. I read this chapter the other day, but couldn't reply. But today I'm going read all the remaining chapters.

Still waiting for Azaad. Intehaah ho gayi intezaar ki...

This seems like Atlas shrugged, where I waited an eternity for John Galt to make entry. 😆

Gii ! thank u so much for chapter by chapter analytical review ! they r really encouraging.
I am happy you liked liked my version of Mahira...she is what they should have shown in the show ! paar koi baat nehi nothing is more powerful than viewers imagination.
It is the magic of AZMA jodi that has gotten me this far...hope poora naiya i par karjaungi😆 with ur blessings 😆

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#314

Originally posted by: -shimmer-
itnaa superb mixture haiii is ff me my god!! Awesome work shreya!!

othrwse i fnd history a lil bit bore but ya genius upgraded it wit interesting elements!!

superb!!!

Nxt update tayar hai 😉

Neha baby thank u !
Aap khub Eid manao ! fir wapas ajana chap 6 padhney ke liye😃

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#315

Originally posted by: PurpleCrayon
Good job shreya! 😃 Res-ing for now.
UNRES!

I really loved this chapter shreya!

Thank u so much, sweetie !

I can't explain why, but I already had a soft spot for Adaq when he made is nano second appearance in the previous chapter. Now that he seems like a papa bear character, I love him all the more. So he's the captain of the AzMa ship eh? We'll gladly be the crew.😆

yes he is sort of Bhisma Pitamaha !😆

I'm looking forward to reading about him poking fun at his huzur sirkars's nocturnal wanderings and hopefully Azaad is going to display more out of character behavior so we can poke fun at him too.

Adaq Khan looks like he has a good head on his shoulders so if he doesn't like Amaad for whatever reason, I'm going to be prepared for some shenanigans. Mahira se door rehna Amaad miyan, warna Zaroon ke saath saath aapka bhi naam "to be beaten" list mein likh diya jaega!

KB has made an entrance. Is she really worried about Azaad? Or is this just for show? Hmm..

she is an item...I will reveal it slowly.

Her chief hand maiden seems like the typical no nonsense nanny type. I'm imagining Amaad trying to charm her and her not falling for it. I hope she has a soft spot for Azaad.

Ooh and there was a fire? Kya hua hoga. Zaroor kuch black magic kiya hoga KB ne. Maybe Azaads father died in the aag?

something dreadful happened then.

About the little girl. Who ever she is, I hope to see Azaad interacting with her. Little Kid + Sexy Man being all cute with said little kid = Women melting into a puddle of goo😆

me too ! sexy man playing / interacting all gentle with a cute child = explosion of emotions in women 😆

Now coming to Mahiras verses, You have a keen ear for lyrics baisa! Those lines are so bloody perfect! You have a talent for using them at exactly the right place. They sounded even more special when considering Azaad and Mahiras position.

Like I said! Fantastic job! Looking forward to more!

PS: So are you going to write us a HOT chapter too?☺️( I don't know why but this blushing emoticon reminds me of McCain Smiles😆)
NO Baisa ! bilkul nehi !! i cant handle such stuffs. I will write if only u promise to undone the whole thing and rewrite it from the start 😆

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PurpleCrayon

@PurpleCrayon

Navigator

Posted: 9 years ago

#316

You've got a poster thing (what's it called?) for the fic! Nice!😃

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#317

Originally posted by: PurpleCrayon
You've got a poster thing (what's it called?) for the fic! Nice!😃

yep banner for the FF. Afrin made it for me ! itz quite nice, nah ?

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milinda.shreyz

@milinda.shreyz

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#318

Chapter 6 -- Swirling image in the mirror

The long day of flurried action and excitement had finally caught up with Mahira. Her eyes drifted shut and sleep claimed her the moment her head hit the soft pillow.

The next morning, clad in dull blue working clothes, with her long wavy hair in a tight coiffure, Mahira emerged from her allotted chamber. Like all others, that room too was cold,sparsely furnished and depressing. As expected Gazalla was waiting outside to show her the library. After a few turns through half lit corridors and desolate halls, they reached an open portico .Mir Baksh was pacing up and down the passage enthusiastically to take charge of her.

He smiled and raised his hand in greetings as soon as he saw her coming.

''Hail to thee, new recruit!''

He welcomed her with his usual toothy grin.

''Ready for the 1st day ? '' And he pushed open the massive mahogany door.

Subsequent minutes found Mahira on the threshold of a magnificent old library, spellbound at its disheveled state

Mahira was always a very organized girl. She took pride in keeping her Abbu's workspace neat and all equipment methodically arranged. It was a haven of discipline and efficiency. Mirza family's library however was the most chaotic place one had the misfortune to stumble upon !

The gigantic hall littered with heaps of wax tablets,heavy leatherbound documents, loose scrolls and rolled parchments. Shelves on the wall were overflown with codexes of all shapes and sizes, collected over a period of 200 years. Tables of all sizes and majestic looking wooden chests had their tops heavily laden with fragile manuscripts gone brittle with age. Every drawer or box if opened would reveal a welter of entangled materials.

Early morning light gleamed into the room through east facing large bay windows. Mahira looked around with muted disbelief. Organize clutter such as this would take years.

Mahira took a long breathe and braced herself for a serious argument.
'' I need to talk to Lord Jaigirgaar, Mir Baksh. I need to know what exactly I am supposed to do here.''

Mir-Baksh looked up at her, amusement danced across his bushy eyebrows.

''I am afraid that is not possible, Mohtarma.''

You are new here. You do not know the rules,'' he explained.
''We only see him when he wishes ...not when we wish to. Only Badibegum has that power over him.''

What ! But I only saw him last night !

''Perhaps even old Adaq Khan'', he added thoughtfully.''But the rest of us ?? nope. Not in 100yrs we will have that privilege.''

Mahira was aghast. What world was this !

''Then who is going to explain all this to me ?'', she tried to reason.

''If this work has to be done properly, it needs his active co operation. This is his family library. Surely he can tell me what to begin with. Otherwise forget translating, it would take a year or two to just settle in. Also I need to know his 1st priority.''

Mahira almost went to the verge of desperation.

''You see, I must meet him !''

Mir Baksh however couldnot feel the heat of her urgency. He cocked his head and beamed as if he was watching a particular comic scene.

''Hoah Mistress mine! No need to be upset ! Huzoor Sarkar has indeed given me specific orders to deliver to you. ''

''Oh he has ?''

Mahira almost felt a prick of disappointment.

'' Yes. And you are supposed to transcribe this !'' Mirbaksh gave a tiny flick of his head .

Mahira did not understand. She still looked at him questioningly, ''This. Where ?''

Mir Baksh huffed impatiently. Then he cast his glance around the whole room in a slow deliberate movement as if to point out every article from thick scrolls to loose fragmented parchments strewn across the gallery.

Mahira felt hysterical laughter bubbling up in her throat. Yes the man had serious mental troubles !

What did he think her to be ? The genie of Aladdin's lamp ?

''All of this , Mirbaksh ?'' she openly guffawed. ''Is this some kind of jest ?''

''Trained by the best scholar of the land, didnt you say that ? Mirbaksh challenged her good-humoredly .

Yes. But this was insane !

Mahira sat down dejectedly upon a low dusty stool.

''You dont have to write down everything.'' MirBaksh came upon her and explained in a kind voice.

''He only wants ancient farsi and turkic portions. You have to find those and put them in current lingo. so that he can read them himself. Family records are Huzoors main concern.History of the house of Mirzas.They are all very educated men, from his great grandfather to him and they have kept records of their lives in meticulous details. Now problem is they are mixed up with all sorts of things.''

''Is he searching anything particular ?''

A notion struck her abruptly.

'' Like some sort of information. The Mirzas have always been a strong ally to the Mughal badshah haven't they? His forefathers might have jotted down something valuable for the kingdom? Something that would be relevant wow, in this troubled time. A battle plan even! Or a victorious defense formation ?'' Mahira's brain virtually raced.

MirBaksh shook his head in awe. This was coming from a young girl of eighteen !

''Mohtarma! I would love to fuel your imaginations but I have no idea, again !'' He laughed.

Mahira's excitement ebbed. She was spewing nonsense to another loyal attendant who would nodoubt report her fanciful ideas to his Lordship !

''Oii, where did you drift off ! '',Mir Baksh snapped his fingers in front of her eyes to get her attention.

''Here is the plan. 1st locate the stuffs, make a list of where's where and then start translating'', he suggested helpfully. ''That way you would know where to find a specific book later.''

'' That makes sense. Thank you so much''.

Mahira pulled a little book from the nearest shelf absentmindedly. It revealed annotations of scriptures in charming arabic calligraphy.
''I wish someone had made that catalogue before'', she whispered wistfully.

The Jaigirdaar could have done that himself. He would have plenty of free times on his hands now that he did not even appear in front o his subjects and and shied away form his duties, she thought with a touch of censure.

''This is a big task, Mir.Baksh. Organizing a library before getting down to actual work. Can I get help from someone ?''

I shall assist you. Huzoor specifically ordered me to be at your service all the time you stay here. He wants to make sure you dont faint or laze out or... .

Mir baksh gulped visibly.

Mahira raised her eyebrow questioningly.

''...or steal''

Mahira nearly shook in anger and mortification. Why was he doing that ? Hinting her a thief to every other staff ! She stared at the windows unblinkingly and prayed to Lord for composure.

MirBakshs face was a picture of apology. He was looking everywhere but her. Once he opened his mouth as if to say something then thought against it.

''Mohtarma ! I am sorry I cannot help you today. I have to go down to the village now. My teacher Maulavi Sahab is very unwell. Students take turns to look after him'', he stuttered, eagerly eyeing the door.

Mahira felt sorry for the young student. She could see him squirming in embarrassment.

'Yes, ofcourse. You may leave, Mir Baksh. Allah Hafiz!''

Suddenly she remembered something.

''Wait !''

Mirbaksh was about to step out of the room. He halted and turned back.

Have you met your Huzoor Sarkaar today?

''Yes Mistress ! a couple of hours back. He was here on that table when he called for me'' Mir baksh pointed to a handsomely designed large mahogany table near the windows.

''Did he talk about anything?''

Mir Baksh looked utterly lost.He ran his hand through his coarse hair.
''Ofcourse. As I told you, he ordered me to help you, instructed what he expects from you, which scrolls...''

''No ! I meant other than that.''

''Like what ?''Mir Baksh looked as if she was world's greatest unsolved puzzle.

Mahira almost felt sick at stomach. Why did she even broach this subject !

''The writing I produced yesterday as a sample'' , she faltered unsure.

Mir Baksh looked genuinely concern.

''I have no idea what you are talking about. Is that something important to you?''

Hah ! So he can share his suspicion about her being a thief to Mir Baksh, but cannot praise a word about her writing.

''He might have forgotten.'' Mir Baksh saw the mutinous expression on her face and sprang to the defence of his master like a loyal follower.

''If you wish I can ask him when we meet next.''

No ! she nearly jumped up. ''no, that was not important...dont ever mention it to him. please.''

Perhaps he found nothing commendable in it. It was only a sample to prove her skills and be recruited. And that was accomplished. She was about to start her first day of work. What else was she thinking !

Mir Baksh nodded and went out.

' Ajeeb ladki hai, cannot even decide what she wants' ,he thought bemused.

But then ofcourse she was strange. Which woman of her youth,charm and grace would spend her time in dust and squalor of a grim looking library, transcribing old battered farsi scrolls.

Mahira moved over to the window and stared out. The library overlooked the forbidden garden of the introvert Chieftain. Standing there she could not see the frail Kachnar plants, only lushes of yellow sunflowers and riotous growth of other common herbs.

Suddenly her back prickled. She always had that odd sensation when someone watched her from behind. She straightened and on count of three whirled to face the door.

No one was there.

The door was still ajar just how Mir.Baksh had left it. If someone had been there he had vanished in a blink.

Perhaps it was a nudge of truant breeze.

A faint scent however lingered in the air. Of something vaguely familiar.

Horses. Leather. Forest green.

Or all of them atonce !

Either that or she was imagining too much !

She turned her attention to the mahogany table that stood by the window. The surface had been wiped clean, in a decorative green jar stood several quills and knife.

Inexpertly trimmed quills, she noticed. No wonder the nib gave way under his pressure.

Oblivious, she glided towards it. Besides the jar lay two sheets of good parchments covered with writings in untidy scrips. That handwriting was particularly familiar.

She inched closer to have a better view and absently crushed a piece of crumpled something papery under her foot.

A familiar looking piece of parchment had been crumpled into a ball.

Suddenly dread twisted her stomach into a knot. She sank to her knees in the dust and picking it up, gently smoothed out.

Her sample piece !

********

Late afternoon found Mahira scribbling furiously amidst a hillock of codexes and scrolls. Adaq Khan found her absent during the midtime meal and came to visit her.

Mahira's eyes were fixed firmly on the long parchment and her grip was unnecessarily firm on the quill. She had swept the floor clean,dusted the shelves, and heaped piles of documents upon the floor. Her dupatta lay spread on the ground, serving as a makeshift rug and she sat regally upon it with various piles of books serving as sentries.

Adaq khan stood for a while and cleared his throat loudly to announce his presence. Surely Mahira had heard his echoing footsteps.

She didnt look up.

Initiating the conversation would get better response perhaps !

'U didnot come for meal. why?''

No greetings with her easy smile.

''I was busy''.
An awkward muffled reply came out. Something was very very wrong !

Feeling Adaq Khans steady interrogatory eyes upon her, Mahira silently groaned in frustration.She was not going to spill beans again.

''I skip meals Khan chacha when I get too caught up with works.''She replied with a smile that did not reach her eyes.

Adaq continued to give her the questioning look.

'' Really, its nothing unusual.''

Mahira hoped her voice didnt tremble or her face didnt seem too white or eyes puffed up.

All day long she had beaten herself over and again until her mind numbly agreed that nothing but work would affect her from now on. She was given a responsibility and she would execute it properly. Then as bakshish (reward) she would ask the chieftain to send her to her sister's house safely.

Never again, she would give in to any foolish impulse. If she had agreed to serve the Jaigirdar, she would better learn her position in his household. Lowly library-staffs didnot write verses for their Lords and expect his appreciation. They were punished for impropriety.

One scrunched up parchment was enough to shove her in back in place, she needed no other demonstration of superiority from the Jaigirdaar.

Nothing went past Adaq khan's all seeing eyes.

''you look forlorn. Did someone said anything to you ?'

''None.''

Only dying from embarrassment on my own stupidity.

''Did huzoor...''

She didnt even let him finish. In no way she is going to show him her ashened face. She turned her face abruptly.

Adaq Khan sighed. Huzoor Sarkaar firsey kya kar diya, Allah i jaane !

''Mahira, beti ! listen to me! ''

He put a comforting hand upon her head. Mahira's heart swelled as she blinked back tears.

''Dont judge him too fast. He has got reasons for what he has become today. You are our first visitor in a long time. The first woman ever to come without coercion. It came upon as a shock to him.''

''To me too'',Mahira said to herself, 'and thats why I behaved so recklessly.'

After-effect of shock !

She picked up a long parchment and pretended to read. It was there on Azad's table on top of other papers. It was a list of some books describing where most likely she would them and which area needed her attention but it had stopped abruptly midway.

He actually started making her work list himself.

Mahira made a face while trying to decipher what he had written, the handwriting was terrible, the letters looked like a bunch of insects ready to crawl off to random directions.

'Dont look like that.'Adaq gently admonished her.
''You were trained by you father, a renowned scholar. Poor boy, he had no tutor since age of 10.''

'' He taught himself to read and write. Perhaps it was scholar's blood running in his veins did not let him stop trying. You are looking at a man, Mahira whom everyone had abandoned.After the fire everything had changed.''

There was no judgement in his voice, only profound sorrow.

Mahira lowered her eyes in shame. Adaq Khan had warned her before not to judge Azad too fast and she had done just that. No wonder why everyone wanted her to leave. She was like anyone else, she would ultimately fail him.

''I am so sorry'', she whispered almost imperceptible .

A deep release of breath indicated Adaq had heard it as well.
********

Hours flew. Mahira's head throbbed in her skull and her stomach growled in protest. Her neck was stiff as a stick. She threw away her quill and stood up to take a turn around the hall.

Sun was about to set. The tiny window on the north west corner beckoned her.She leaned over the window sill and let the cool breeze caress her face.The gulmohar tree was visible from this part. And someone else in a skyblue Angrakha.

Azad was seated on his usual place.He had his left elbow upon his knee, his broad shoulders stretching the fabric of his shirt, his shoulders relaxed,His head bowed down in deep concentration. Writing another shayari perhaps!
His hairs flew unruly like flames of a black fire. His face underneath was a picture of frozen emotions. Ice and fire ! Like someone from old folklores.

Around Azad's feet and in the bird-bath small chirpy visitors hopped, splashed and twittered as they enjoyed the approaching twilight. He didnot seem to notice them.

Mahira however could not tear her eyes away from him. There was an odd beauty in his melancholy and isolation, like that of a forlorn prince entrapped by wicked sorceress or a traveller lost his way back home.

Oh ! If only she could stop being so fanciful. Now her imaginations were on the border of melodrama. Mahira wanted to pull her own hairs and knock her head to the nearest wall. This was no enchanted prince, just an ill tempered chieftain with no manners. And he didnot care a fig of her existence. And she had promised herself not to spin dreams around him.He is far above her reach. And he had made it clear very fast.

She returned to her seat and prepared to sit down for another harrowing session. Her attention almost immediately fell upon something hanging from the opposite wall. Strange! She didnt notice it all day. Perhaps the white coarse cloth that covered it thoroughly, had camouflaged well with the chalk white background. Mahira hesitated, then pulled the shroud off it.

It was a large glass mirror with an extraordinary ornamented bronze frame.

The miniature creatures in the frame looked almost alive with their metal body and ruby eyes.

Didnt the tiny owl seem to ruffle her wings a bit ? And what creature was that with half human half crocodile body ?

Mahira blinked and stared anew.

Didnt the mermaid sit at the northside of the frame last time she noticed her ?

Oh get a grip on yourself, woman ! The place is odd enough without your colourful imaginations !

''Hah ! Taking a break to admire your beauty, Aalim-e-sitt ?'' A taunting brass metal voice rang from behind.

Mahira closed her eyes in frustration.

This lady had an uncanny talent of sneaking from behind and freaking the hell out of her.

''Sitt Aalim !'' Badi begum called her in a sneering voice, ''so u have indeed started working. How far did u progress ?''
Mahira made an exaggerating show of curtsy.

''I have hardly started properly Badi Begum Sahiba ! I am arranging stuffs first, actual work would be easier if they are sorted in proper order.''

''U will never finish.''
Badibegum had a decided tone of decreeing a Fiman (Order).

''Nobody can arrange single handedly works and collections of four generations.''

''I have accepted the challenge . I would like to give it a serious try.'' Her smile looked more like a grimace.

BariBegum ran her eyes through her and her mouth contorted in distaste.

''All this hard work in dirt, ink smeared fingers, sweat in your forehead, dust in your hair...you look more than a noble lady. I doubt your upbringing.'' Her words turned into sneering.

'' Perhaps your father was base born and didnot know manners himself.''

Mahira balled her fingers into afist and fought herself to look composed and unaffected. She realised Begum was deliberately doing this so that she would lose her composure and do something foolish.

That would give her legit chance to throw her out. And she was not going to give her a single leeway.

She turned her face to the mirror to buy few seconds of cool.

Something extraordinary just happened there. The surface of the mirror swirled as if caught in a whirlpool and started to darken. it became absotutely dark.

A disguised obsidian mirror !

Mahira knew about them although never actually seen one with her own eyes.

A scurrying mirror, used for divination.

It was an artifice of dark magic to see hidden past or future fortunes.They show strange images to chosen persons who can interpret them.

Abbu had said once she had a powerful gift within her. She would need one right mirror to disclose it.she always took that metaphorically. Did he mean she had power of vision ?

Something flickered on the smooth dark surface. Hair stood up on the back of her neck.

Surely not...but it was there.

Within the dark surface formed an image of her standing wide eyed beside a woman.

A tall matronly woman in her late prime,wearing old fashioned trinket in her hair, a large diamond studded nosering, and clothed in green,her cruel eyes staring menacingly at her.

She jumped up and looked beside her.

Bari begum was looking intently at her, noticing her sudden loss of color.

She tried to look at the mirror again from the corner of her eyes.

There was nothing. The image and the dark surface were gone and the mirror looked like a harmless glass mirror again.

''Why are you looking at me like that, wench ?'', Badibegum demanded.

''And why did you stare at the mirror and grew pale ? '' Her voice grew shrill.

''What did u see ?''

Panic gripped her throat in a vice grip. She must not reveal a word. She would be thrown out as lunatic or even worse would be burnt at the stake branded as a witch.

She must spin a suitable reply fast.

''Nothing Badi Begum. I just now realised looking at the mirror how inappropriately I was standing close to you. I am filthy and stinking. I must have caused great distress to your higher sensitivity. '' She replied in a smooth steady voice.

Inside she was shaking like a leaf caught in storm.

Yah Allah ! please make the gold fish catch my bait.

Badi Begum stared at her surprised. Her neat eyebrows lifted and a little smile curved her lips.

''Perhaps you are not that base-born after all.''

She spun on her heel and left.

Mahira let out the sigh of relief she was holding so long.

Then she turned to examine the mirror. She gingerly touched the cool glass surface, poked the creatures on the frame. Nothing changed. The mirror merely glimmered in the last light of the passing day.

Was everything her imagination from the beginning ?

[...to be continued]

Read Chapter 7 : Of song and Art

Writer's note :
Kruti Baisa ! thank you for ur last minute touch up. Already missing ur minute editing. But kya kare, yehi zindegi hai 😃

Edited by milinda.shreyz - 9 years ago