The Himalayan state Kashmir situated in lap of Himalayas has always been known as paradise on earth and y not where its tall pine trees covering almost d entire country side its beautiful lake where d wonderfully carves shikharas floating on it as far as d eyes could reach could only see d clear blue sky, snow capped Himalayas covered by d misty clouds and feel d cool mystic air with d fragrances of d flowers filling d air captivating d senses of all a scene truly heaven on earth...
A young handsome prince in simple attire riding on a Arabian black beauty was gallivanting when he stumbles upon d beauty of d valley and couldn't resist himself to stop and admire d mother nature's creations...
From far of at a little distance he could clearly hear d serene flow of d water under d brook amidst of this silent play of nature...
This tempted him to go near d waters and feel d cool and calmness and overcome his fatigue a chance to b one with d nature...
Having got down from d horse he patted him lovingly and takes him to d water near d small brook makes d horse drink it and he gets refreshed himself d crystal clear water were soothing his facial nerves...
but there was something which made him halt in his way and that was sound of d anklets followed by few giggling sounds...initially he ignored it and moves on but when he hears it again he tries to check in all possible directions for d source of d sound but to his luck as far as his eyes could see there was no inkling of any human let alone b a girl...
Now when for d 3rd time he heard d sounds he couldn't resist himself to follow d source and follows d directions and ceases his black beauty's reins...only to see a young girl trying to pluck apples from d tree and her fellow maids were trying their hands too but none could get it...
From her attire she looked like a dignified princess of d valley while he gazed at her admiring a petite form who had her back facing him...
After watching her antics for few moments or so he decided to help them out...
Approaching her he managed to pluck d apples thou they were not hanging to high on d branches making it easy for him to pluck not 1 or 2 but a few more d moment d stranger approached d maids got alert and immediately scattered aloof with slight amusement and shock flashing on their faces but d young beauty's face glowing with happiness had masked d sudden shock this stranger lad had given them...her almond shaped eyes expressing her happiness and her red cheeks blushing against her fairer skin how could he resist for a second he wondered what was more rosier apples or her cheeks...
She couldn't meet his gazes and as she felt shy and ran off before even he could utter a word...
D sounds of anklets and d giggling was ringing in his ears for a long time which had left him totally mesmerized by her beauty and had captivated his senses...
He makes his mind to know more about this girl and starts his journey on d way he approaches a hut where he decides to rest for d night in this hut as d day was ending...
Getting down from his horse pulling it gently with its rein he reaches d hut knocking at d door he waits till someone opens it...he could hear a faint creaking sound of d door opening and sees an old lady gazing at him...
For she couldn't clearly see due to poor vision being old age issue a tall young prince with chiseled facial features in a simple attire even with simple attire there was some glow on his face a gleam in his eyes a kind of dynamism oozing out in every bit of his royal aura... she slowly trying to stress her eyes asked d man about his identity as he looked like a true warrior in every sense. Having got d assurance from him she without a second doubt welcomed him inside...
D young chap made her comfortable asking for a stay in her hut for d night..
D old lady was more than obliged to serve him and allow him to stay in her hut...
After having refreshed he thought of retiring for d day as he had to wake up early for d dawn...but sleep was far from his eyes as d young apple girl's pretty face was dancing in front of his eyes...
Her apple red cheeks her beautiful almond shaped eyes those long earrings swinging while she laid her head down in coyness those rosy lips where she was cladded in kashmiri intricately embroidered phiran(it's a kashmiri attire worn by both men and women in medieval era and was been into use up to later 19th century) he just couldn't shut his eyes and so made up his mind to go in d morning to d same place where she had met him...for now he managed to give peace to his mind..? may b more precisely heart...
It was early morning when d chirping of d birds made d dashing man wake up from his slumber d sun rays falling on his face making him look all d more delectable...
D young prince woke up by rubbing his eyes ruffling his hair when d old lady offered him to eat he decided to take a stroll and see d morning glow of d mother nature's beauty...
Wasting no time he sat on his horse instead of going on a walk riding on his horse was a better option he thought and rode off to d apple tree and just sitting below its shade waited in excitement and eagerness for someone special...in hope of meeting her again at d same place may b...?
But luck was not on his side now as there was no hint of her so as to pass d time he started painting her face after all how could he afford to forget such a beauty who had managed to purloin his sleep from his eyes giving him sleepless night...
After waiting for hours together and having no glimpse of her his hopes of meeting her again vanished looking at d portrait he kept staring at it as if she was in real and started talking to it...with disheartened heart he decided to return back to d hut by biding a farewell he would move on to his journey...
But fate had some other plans for him meanwhile he reaches d hut all lost in thoughts when d old lady who had just entered d hut after finishing her outside chores sees d some kind of paper in his hand...
Her voice brings him back from his reverie..She asked him about d paper while he with d refreshed hope unfolds d paper so as d old lady gets a best view she can...
D old lady was awed seeing d painting as it looked real to her but d girl in d portrait did make her look familiar...she couldn't guess at that moment as d old age was taking toll on her memory and made her think about this girl but she was sure of meeting and talking to her...
D sparkle in d old lady's eyes boosted a ray of confidence a ray of hope in d lad's heart making his heart jump in hope and with polite gesture he asked her whether she knew this girl who was she and her whereabouts with everything in details...
D immediate answer to his doubts she gave was that d girl in d portrait belonged to d valley's wealthiest landlord's daughter...making his heart dance with joy... He decided to stay for some more time in this valley to find more about her or may b d bliss of meeting her again and so requesting d old lady to permit him for another stay at her hut which d old lady was all d way obliged to do so...
With d provided information well in advance by d obliging old lady he began his journey to meet his apple beauty. While passing thru d bustling markets d chaos of d shop vendors while dealing with d bargaining customers d aroma of d saffron and d spices had filled d ambiance giving a feel of a total different world from d usual silent and serene valley...
He had finally managed to come out of d hustle and bustle of d market only to see a huge haveli standing tall at d end of d road...
D arch pillars with intricate carvings in it d entrance door carved in an arch manner with 2 fishes inlay-ed in them only gave it a more royal look surrounded by aesthetic garden blooming with beautiful flowers from roses to daisies and d water lilies dancing joyfully in d waters of d fountain within only added to its beauty making it look no less than a royal palace...
He was impressed with d look and stopped to see if he could get any glimpse of her but to this bad luck there was none he decided to wait for a while to see if she would come out in d balcony of d haveli..
His wait had bore d fruits as she did come out with a few may b 1 or 2 maids followed her behind to d garden with her one glimpse and was totally lost in her captivating beauty...but he was here not to admire her but to pass on his message to her but couldn't understand how could he do it soon his crease on forehead was vanished after seeing her one of maid nearing d entrance gate wasting no time he jumped off his horse by patting it on his snout he made him stand near d tree and stealthily approached d maid and handed over d message...
D maid was taken off guard with her eyes wide open with shock with d sudden arrival of a stranger when she realized that d face was quiet familiar but couldn't recall where had she seen him but before she could inquire d young man had done his work but handing over d message along with d sketch telling her to hand over to her owner...and promptly ran off signaling d maid that he would b waiting here near his horse ...
D maid stood there trying to stress her mind which made her more curious on who could b this stranger giving a message to her lady and swiftly ran to meet her and handed over d letter along with d sketch to her lady which amazed d girl pouring d maid with all sorts of questionnaires of who's who and how did she get d message etc...
D girl took d letter she did as per d maid had told her that he was waiting near d tree and she checked to see who could b d possible person only to find out that he was d same person whom she had encountered previous evening amused her...
She wondered what could b d reason for a stranger to write her d letter...without waiting there for more time she rushed to her room leaving d young man all addled...
It was late afternoon when d young dashing man was eagerly waiting for special someone near d brook...he was looking forward for meeting his beauty...d wait for every sec was like ages for him his patience was wearying just when he gets to hear d same sounds of anklet raising his heart beats..
He turns his back to see her and finally both their eyes meet again .. It was their 2nd meeting but this time d nervousness was less or may b more than d their 1st accidental meeting...
There was silence persistent for some time until d young man decided to break d ice and starts d conversation by formally greeting her...
She too responded to his greetings...
D conversation which initially had begun with formal introduction had by now turned into a friendly gesture with knowing their likes dislikes plunging into personal talks and rounding up on other intellectual topics...
D fondness grew four folds with each meeting finally both had become v fond friends of each other or so but their letters spoke more than their mere friendship which they fondly and eagerly used to write...
so frnds... waiting for ur responses positive and negative both welcomed...😳
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Jhanak
