'Shhh, Bindiya!'
'Why...' the girl hushed her pitch, before blurting out the question anyway - a question too nagging to be left unanswered 'why are we inviting Mughals for this lunch... when it's a traditional feast, in honour of Durga baisa?'
'We are inviting Chacha Sahib because he's our host... moreover, he's grown very close with Ratan kakasa and Maharaj kakasa over the past week... it would be rude not to invite him...'
'And the rest of the men?'
'We will not turn back anyone who chooses to come!' Gauri stopped to scan the interiors of a chamber they passed by - a plain chamber with a few pieces of formal furniture dotted around it 'This must be the second reception room that he was referring to... yes... this is where the stable-boy asked us to wait for Chacha Sahib...' but before leading her aide in, she had a stern forewarning for her 'Remember what I told you, Bindiya... I've had strict instructions this morning... Heera is very particular that all of us remain on our best behaviour henceforth... especially after what happened between our women and Khan Sahib's men, at the gardens... so, whatever your opinions, please keep them to yourself... say nothing... alright?'
'Yes...'
Once certain they'd arrived at the right place, they walked up to an unobtrusive corner, to wait for the old man to show up.
However, the very next instant, something caught their attention. A soft clinking of metal was heard from somewhere nearby. In fact, from somewhere within the room.
And then, the clinking stopped.
Puzzled, the two ladies glanced around for the source of noise.
'There...' Bindiya's eyes widened, when she located what they were after 'someone's there...'
A little boy, a child of about 8 or 9, who remained hidden by the open doors of a large cabinet had been busy tinkering with something inside it. Oddly enough, he'd stopped as soon as the two ladies had been alerted.
'Is he stealing?' whispered Bindiya, alarmed at the thought of stumbling upon a robbery in progress.
Gauri went ahead and slowly peeped over the doors, to take a look at the boy's face. His eyes appeared guilty and scared - giving away the fact that he'd been caught doing something wrong.
'Who are you? What are you doing here?' her tone that'd started off on an assertive note dipped into something more considerate - what with the culprit being only a boy. That too, a small boy with scruffy hair, callused over-worked palms and nothing to cover his feet 'Have you been taking something that does not belong to you?'
Suddenly, he ran up to the ladies and fell at their feet - taking both by complete surprise 'Aapa... aapa... I did it because I was hungry... I beg you... please don't tell anyone that you saw me here!' A tear sprung up in his bright little eyes 'The Sahib is a heartless man... I've seen how cruel he can be... he will beat me till my body turns black and blue...'
Ruffled by a soft wave of sympathy, Gauri helped the boy up 'But, it's not correct to steal... now return whatever it is you took from here... and come with me...' she pointed towards the guest quarters visible through one of the windows 'My Sahiba is there... she's a very kind woman... and will give you what you need!'
The boy gradually nodded his head, relenting to the advice and assurances he'd received. Rubbing his nose and eyes dry with the edges of his sleeve, he tucked his hand into a small pocket and picked out what he'd supposedly stolen - 2 silver coins.
Relieving his small palms of the burden, Gauri acknowledged his efforts to admit to his mistakes with a warm smile 'That's better... n...' Her sentence had been cut-short by a faint scuffling of footsteps in the adjacent corridors. Footsteps that grew louder and louder with every blink.
The boy stared at the two ladies, terror washing over his face all over again 'Aapa... help me... please... don't tell those cruel men I was here' folding his hands as a plea for mercy, he continued 'please... if not, those sadistic men will hunt me down and tear me apart!'
'I... I'll try talking to them an...' Gauri began consoling him - but before she could say any further, the frightened child had already dashed towards the window, climbed over its frame and jumped down on the other side.
'Oh my...' Bindiya rushed to the window to ensure the child wasn't hurt - and breathed a huge sigh of relief when she found the boy dusting his knees and arms, ready to scamper off from the gardens below 'He's fine...'
'Thank the Lord' Gauri sighed, still not sure what to make of the entire incident
'What are YOU both doing here?'
The two ladies turned towards the source of the voice, having set aside their dilemma - only to find themselves confronted by eight pairs of unfriendly unfamiliar eyes.
Nevertheless; an undaunted Gauri held onto the borders of her veil and answered them with a straight-face 'We were asked to wait here for Chacha Sahib... and that's what we have been doing'
When their expressions showed no signs of thawing, she was perplexed at first. Till it struck her that the men were suspicious of them!
After all, they'd entered the room to find a maid standing beside an open cabinet with a few coins in her hand - getting the impression that she was helping herself to Khan Sahib's money when nobody was around.
The kitchens at the guest quarters...
'We have sourced 75 plates, baisa... do you think we need extra palm plates?'
Heera paused to make a few mental calculations 'Make it 100... in case a few additional priests turn up...'
'Baisa...' a maid walked up to her from behind 'I have given Mohan banna the medicines, as you instructed... how long before the ointments can be applied?'
'Two hours...'
'Bitiya...' Maharaj kaka shouted out, from the other end 'Apart from the Kheer, I am preparing 2 sweets that were Durga bitiya's favourites... should I arrange for a 4th one to be prepared too?'
'Three should do, kakasa' she yelled back
Thus, the questions went on. And on. And on.
Till a point came when the words and noises became a constant drone, the scenes and colours blurring into a haze. This being the first instance that she was hosting such a significant occasion by herself, Heera was supervising the arrangements with remarkable efficiency, as expected. Yet, only she knew that shouldering such a responsibility alone, was taxing and in many-a-way, depressing too.
'Anyhow...' she shook the lull off sometime later 'Where's Gauri?' her eyes made a quick search of her surroundings, as she flapped a silk fan to ward off the sweltering heat of the Chulho 'It's been a while since she'd gone to the main haveli... I could do with her help around here...'
And as though in answer to the questions running in her mind, Gokul's frantic calls echoed from behind
'Baisa...' he huffed, bolting his way through the crowded corridors leading up to the kitchen 'Baisa... baisa...'
Frowning at the evident signs of panic in his manner, she swiftly signalled to ensure he kept his voice low, so others didn't get alarmed 'Yes, Gokul?'
'Gauri and...' the breathless guard blurted out in fragments '...and Bindiya are in trouble...'
'Lord!' Heera closed her eyes, as she countered a bout of mounting frustration - the timing could not have possibly been worse 'What sort of trouble? Did Bindiya do something?'
'Actually, it's not Bindiya' Gokul emphatically shook his head 'it's Gauri! A stable boy just informed me that she's been caught stealing...'
'What!' the entire premise was so ridiculous that she nearly laughed out loud 'That's preposterous! The stable boy must have been mistaken!'
'No baisa... the situation has blown out of proportion...' a vexed Gokul rubbed the creases on his forehead 'Apparently, even the Kotwal Sahib and the townsmen have arrived... to settle matters... I heard that Khan Sahib is furious!' his voice was rife with dread 'If our Gauri is found guilty, she might be taken away... and imprisoned... what are we going to do, baisa?'
The sardonic laughter vanished from her lips.
Though her expressions gave away nothing much, she was beginning to feel very unsettled. Be it because of the urgent necessity of having to save her closest friend from disgrace. Or because of having to deal with authorities in an unknown town. Or maybe it was because, she had to achieve all of it, while confronting a furious Khan Sahib.
Either which way, she gave herself a few moments and then replied - with reinstated poise 'We will do what we've been doing for so long... tackle the situation sensibly. Let's go!'
The main haveli...
'In all these years, not once have we been burgled!'
'And now... in broad daylight...' the townsmen hollered, one after the other
'They HAVE to be the thieves... she claimed that she took the coins, didn't she?' added Gafhoor, the stable boy.
'We are honest people, Sahib! We never take things that don't belong to us... please allow us to speak to our baisa... she will vouch for us!' wiping a nervous tear from her cheek, Bindiya turned to Gauri - her eyes pleading for the truth to be disclosed.
But Gauri was fairly resolute. Either because of her prejudice against the cruel Sahib, or because of her protective feelings for a helpless child - she was somehow not able to overlook what his shaky little voice had described 'Please... don't tell... those sadistic men will hunt me down and tear me apart! The Sahib is a heartless man... he will beat me till my body turns black and blue...'
No, her conscience didn't allow her to disclose that it was a hungry boy who'd broken into their cabinet - thus letting him be slaughtered by the pack of ruffians. At least, not over 2 meagre silver coins!
So, resurrecting her confidence, she proceeded to correct the men's statements once again 'Not TAKE the coins... I said I'd FOUND these two coins on the floor, which I'm returning to you... I did not commit a crime!'
'Liar...' Gafhoor yelled
And the rest of the stable-boys joined in too 'Yes! She's saving herself...'
'Alright men...' the Kotwal waited for the loud discussions in the chamber to die down before recommencing his interrogations 'Tell me... was ANYONE else, seen coming into this chamber?'
'No... we saw no one!'
'None apart from these two maids...' came their unanimous answers
'I see...' the town-chief nodded.
As he then ruminated over the case, pacing to and fro, silence continued to prevail. He was the figure of authority in this town, the lawful decision-maker - and everyone was eager to hear what he had to say.
'Everyone', except one man!
Digging his taut fingers into the crevices of the engraved doors, Akbar winced. The commotion had compounded his already severe headache. What'd become a source of drama for the members in this sleepy town, was turning out to be a source of major inconvenience to him. Particularly, on a morning that'd already posed him enough problems 'The accident... Bahadur's injuries... forced to postpone my inquiry into Chota Faizan's death...' he fumed, banging shut the doors of the dratted cabinet 'As though all that wasn't enough... I return home to find THIS problem!'
Abruptly interrupting the Kotwal's conceited speeches with a swift gesture of his palm, he turned towards his group - Chacha jaan and his mates - who were intentionally staying out of the mess, like he'd instructed them to.
'Did you do a count, Ibrahim?' he asked
'Yes...'
'And how much is missing?'
'60 silver coins... the red pouch is missing!'
'WHAT!' the infuriated members gasped 'Ya Allah! 60 silver coins!'
'But, that cannot be!' Bindiya cupped her mouth in horror.
'60 coins?' Gauri was thrown into a spell of blankness. All along, she'd been feeling sorry for the child - her kind heart trying to protect him, assuming he'd stolen 2 coins to feed himself. However, now that she'd had a glimpse into the extent of his treachery, she was whelmed by distress. Not only had the boy taken her for a ride, he'd put her in trouble while doing so too 'Ma Bhavani... what a mess...' her throat parched up 'Please help me get out of it!'
It took a lot of will to come out of the shock - but just as she regrouped herself to describe what'd happened, her words were swamped by a frantic wail.
'Please believe us, Sahib' Bindiya wiped the fresh volley of tears bathing her cheeks 'We don't have those 60 coins!'
'Oh really?' Akbar retorted, taking a few steps towards the accused maids, the sight of the wailing lady snapping a few more delicate shreds of his dwindling patience 'I have several other important matters to tend to... and I possess neither the time nor the tolerance for this' As though his personality that towered over their meeker profiles wasn't intimidating enough, the sides of his teeth grit down upon one another, revealing a very vindictive side to this man 'Return whatever you've taken NOW and I'll let you off lightly... otherwise, the consequences would be very unpleasant...'
'He... he...' Bindiya blurted - fear and tears barely allowing her to utter a straight sentence 'th... that little boy was the one who took it... not us! H... he returned 2... 2... coins...but, he must have r... run away with 60 silver coins!'
'What boy?'
When Bindiya nervously turned to Gauri for support, Akbar clicked his fingers beside her face - compelling the maid to peer into his fearsome eyes as he continued addressing her 'I asked... WHAT... boy?'
'There w... was a boy here, when we entered the chamber... h... he was the one fiddling with the cabinet... we assumed he had taken these two coins... so...'
'And you never thought of mentioning him for so long... WHY?'
In the brief lull that followed, Gauri instantly seized the opportunity and took over 'He was frightened of being punished... I thought it was just childish mischief and promised him I wouldn't mention anything if he gave back what he took... these two coins were all that he gave me, before he jumped out of that window...' she explained, desperately hoping her clarifications would sound more convincing than Bindiya's rants 'Sahib... I had no idea he took all that money. That boy tricked me too! Please accept my apologies...' following that difficult admission, her demoralised eyes dropped low - something that this principled woman rarely had to do before.
Alas! Even that heartfelt testimony didn't receive the approval she believed it would! And the allegations resumed soon thereafter.
'The maids are making stories up!'
'No one saw any boy come in or go out!' they yelled, spiralling the situation into near-mayhem.
Frustrated by the jabbering town-chief and his chaotic followers, Akbar turned his attention towards the window from which this 'boy' had supposedly leapt down as the ladies insisted.
Unfortunately, a light drizzle the previous night meant there would be no dust on the sill - making it impossible to see any signs of finger prints or palm marks. Therefore, even if his intuitive mind wasn't entirely convinced that the ladies were lying, there was nothing to prove that they were being truthful either.
'No proof except' he slowly held the silver coins up 'Except for these...'
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when Gafhoor raised his voice
'These Hindus always lie to save their skin!'
'You've said enough...' Akbar intervened 'now keep your mouth shut!'
But his orders were countered by the Kotwal 'I agree with him, Khan Sahib' of course, the chief was in no mood to step back - not when he considered himself so close to solving a case 'they claim to belong to a small village called Dhaalori, which I now know is a lie... besides... their manager couldn't explain the purpose of their journey that night... I think it's because they're running away from the law!'
Bindiya stared at Gauri, noticing a fresh layer of worry dressing the lady's forlorn features. The town chief had just raised a very sensitive issue - an issue that could spell great trouble for their entire troupe.
Distraught, the younger maid was about to fall at the Kotwal's feet since she didn't know what else to do - when, she was firmly pulled up by Gauri.
'Stand up...' the older maid stated, blinking the mist off her eyes 'There is no need to beg... we have done nothing wrong!'
'Then tell us where you're from!'
'We are from Dhaalori...'
'No...' the Kotwal shook his head 'the priest who performed the funeral rites, let it slip that you are NOT from Dhaalori... if you continue lying, I will have you paraded on the streets like a criminal... and, when the people of Aidabad begin stoning you... the answers will surely come!'
'Oh Lord! Please don't do this to us...' Bindiya howled, imagining the extent of shame those punishments would bring upon Gauri. The chief-maid would take her life, if she was submitted to such humiliation 'Please let me fetch our baisa... she'll clarify where we are from...'
'Bindiya, say nothing!' the lady commanded with trembling lips, as a tear made its wistful way down. A big part of her wanted to scream her lungs out. To collapse into a helpless heap like Bindiya had. But it was the repeated visions of her Lady, of Harka Bai's comforting face, that kept her going.
So, numbing herself to the mortifying disgrace she was being subjected to, Gauri forged ahead. She would never disobey her mistress' orders. She would reveal nothing about Parnagarh - not even if her life was taken away 'We are from Dhaalori...'
'You're from Parnagarh... aren't you?
'I owe you no further explanations!'
'Kotwal Sahib, this maid is stubborn!' Gafhoor instigated the chief 'She's not going to confess...'
'She would have hidden the coins somewhere inside her clothes...'
'That's not true!' Gauri flinched in disgust at that degrading suggestion
However, her persistence only maddened the townsmen. Unwilling to put up with such tenacity in a woman - that too, a lowly maid - they stepped forward to take away that pride.
'We must search her...'
'Yes...'
'Grab her veil!'
And a moment before it would happen, Gauri closed her eyes - to shut away the ugliness of it all. Blood had stopped flowing to the fingers that were tightly clutching her veil in a desperate attempt to defend her modesty. The feet that'd been barely holding her up were about to give way 'Ma Bhavani! Take my life away... now... before they touch me... I beg you...'
SLAMMM MMM MMM!
Her prayers had been dragged to a screeching halt.
Surrounded by an eerie silence, the older maid slowly opened her lifeless eyes.
Trails of black ink lay splattered all across the floor - contents of an ink stand that'd cracked into two halves.
The young Sahib had apparently slammed his fist on the table to seize their attention - and he'd done it with such formidable force that the wooden stand had split apart. Well, since he'd been opposed by the Kotwal earlier, he made sure nobody would dare to ignore him this instance! NOBODY!
'Keep your hands to yourself...' Akbar said - his manner dry, though his fury had probably reached its peak '...or I will crack their bones too!'
The men stepped back, dropping down their hands. And their voices.
Her sense of confidence renewed that there was, at long last, someone on their side - someone, who would save the honour and life of a 'common maid', Bindiya ran up to the young man 'Khan Sahib...' she clutched his feet tightly 'we are innocent people... don't allow them to do such things to her...'
Akbar didn't let her finish - what with her sobs sending his headache into unbearable spasms now 'Get up... enough with the lamen...'
'WHAT's happening, here?'
...came a question that managed to steadily silence the ruckus.
'Baisa?' Immensely relieved by their mistress' arrival, a hopeful Bindiya and Gauri turned to face the entranceway - as did the rest of the members in that crowded chamber.
Encircled by a retinue of armed guards - the distinguished lady stood at the centre, her appearance an epitome of feminine authority.
Once her eyes had focused upon the scenes, Heera stepped inside, cringing at what she'd deduced was going on. She had come, expecting to encounter some unpleasantness, but this was horrendous! Bindiya lay at the Sahib's feet, her hands and clothes defiled by something resembling black ink marks - while Gauri was being harassed by a group of bullies 'Bindiya stand up... Gauri come here by my side...' she ordered, and the two ladies did as told - only too relieved to seek shelter under her protective shadow 'What was happening here?'
'Sahiba...' the Kotwal slowly answered 'your maids have been accused of thieving'
The young lady darted the chief a steady stare 'Kotwal Sahib... had I been called earlier, I would've saved you time by vouching for their integrity... but you must know that... so I take it, I was deliberately kept away!' Her remarks though subtle, made it clear that she had a low opinion of such sly methods 'Gauri has worked at our haveli for years... but would never touch a single grain that wasn't hers!' she held her companion supportively 'And what proof do you have?'
'Actually...' Akbar informed, since he knew that the Kotwal wouldn't have the nerve to speak up, after her rebuttal 'there are quite a few witnesses!'
'Quite a few? Is that why they had to be cross-questioned by 50 men?' Heera quipped. She wanted to use the same sarcastic flair she'd used against the Kotwal, but now, her quip had ended up sounding more like 'disappointment'. Disappointment, after what she'd just witnessed. The fact that he would allow two lone ladies to be humiliated thus, was an issue she couldn't come to terms with. Somehow, she expected better from this 'Sahib'. Was he just an egoistic businessman who cared for no one but himself - like her maids always said? 'Anyway, how much have they stolen, Khan Sahib? I will pay you back... and any fines that you will slap them with!'
For a man who was already infuriated by numerous troubling incidents, hounded by a splitting headache and enraged by the Kotwal's men; her mocking tone managed to snap the last shred of patience that'd been holding on.
Furious; Akbar stormed across the room, unconcerned by everyone's stunned expressions. And unperturbed by the fact that her soldiers had drawn out their swords halfway 'Let me remind you...' he hissed 'that in MY house... MY money was stolen... I have the right to interrogate the accused!'
'What?' Heera couldn't help feeling miffed. After all, she was not used to such directness - that too, from a man! There was plenty she could have said in retort, but decided to act civil and keep mum.
Her guards, though, were understandably enraged.
'Sahib, this is our baisa you're talking to ...' they roared in her defence, pointing their swords at his chest
'Address her with respect!'
'Apologise to her...'
Yet, all that effort could barely get Akbar to bat an eyelid. 'Please order your guards to put their swords down...' he conveyed as plainly as possible, his pitch an angry murmur 'if there is a bloodbath... I will be the lone man left standing... I assume that's not what you want...'
Coming from anyone else such statements would have sounded ridiculous and arrogant. It would have challenged her ego.
But from him, the message didn't sound like a mere boast. Or even like a temper-fuelled threat. It sounded 'real'. And the young lady understood it for what it was - as something she ought not to disregard. In fact, strangely, there was a small part of her that was both - amazed by the confidence with which he'd made that claim, and astonished by the indifference displayed by him and his mates to the threat.
Anyhow; since Heera was the last person to want a bloodbath, she told her guards to stand back 'It's not a request... it's an order, Bajrang!' she re-confirmed, when they hesitated 'Stand back!'
'Yes baisa...' they reluctantly pushed the swords back into the sheaths and returned to her side.
Having dealt with yet another hurdle that morning, the annoyed young man then took a step closer to her, to make a definite point - a step that brought his profile within her clearest field of vision 'All I am trying to do, is get a few facts straight... so, I can understand what happened...'
Heera had not reacted much to his outburst so far. But when she got a clearer glimpse of his features, that equation changed. There was a raging fury in his glares - more intense than anything she'd ever encountered before. Eight nights ago, Bindiya had described his eyes as 'stormy'. But until now, she'd never known how ferociously those storms could blow. Besides, there was that telltale tinge of sincerity in his tone again - a tinge she tried hard to ignore, but simply couldn't!
'No' she instinctively knew 'all this restlessness could not be over a few stolen coins... it is something else...'
So before long, she decided to curb her ego and change her ways. Sarcasm would not get her what she wanted - instead, it would stoke his unresolved rage more. She would take a genteel step back for now.
'Khan Sahib...' the lady tactfully amended her tone ' And all I've been trying to say, is that I had the right to know my maids were involved in this case, before the entire town was notified...'
'I didn't notify these people... they've come with the Kotwal... Sahiba, now please let me get ahead with the case, so I can wrap it up swiftly...' he paused, realising that the confrontation was turning into a discussion - what with the aggressiveness in his voice having dropped a few notches. A tempest that'd threatened to blow everything in its wake until a few moments ago, had been brought to standstill. And so subtly that he hadn't even realised it'd happened.
His gazes turned cold, his breath quickened, indicating that the barriers that'd briefly come down, had gone back up. What was it about this Sahiba's presence that managed to disarm his steeliness - his armour - time and again? Whatever it was, he wasn't prepared to search for answers - answers he knew he'd find if he continued gazing into those luring eyes that pretended to be hiding behind a sheer yellow veil.
'All this confusion...' his voice toughened up 'wouldn't have occurred had your maids not been 'caught' with the coins in their hands...' and before the Sahiba could seek confirmation of this story from her chief-maid, he approached Gauri, rather abruptly, with the two silver coins 'Hold it... tell me if you recognise an odour...'
Following a quick glance at her mistress for some reassurance, Gauri took a cautious whiff of its metallic surface 'Smells strange!'
Thereafter, his palm indicated towards the young Sahiba.
Following the cue, Gauri passed the coins on to Heera.
'Recognise the odour?' he asked again
It took Heera a brief while, but she recognised the odour eventually.
'Then, I take it, you know where it is used...' he stated, guessing from the traces of pride in her gazes that the young lady knew precisely what he was talking about.
And he was right.
She knew what the 'odour' was and where it was used - but kept her knowledge to herself. Heera had to admit, she was intrigued by his methods. She could sense that the Sahib was onto something. Or rather, onto someone. And wanted to see where this was going!
So she observed him in silence, as he moved over to his group.
When Ibrahim received the coins, he announced his conclusion in no time 'It's the smell of tannin oil... is it not?'
'Yes...' Akbar confirmed, sending his enthralled audience into another spell of bewilderment 'A 'fresh' smell of tannin oil... a chemical used in the leather factory... shoes... water bags... sword holders... and the sort' his eyes narrowed 'Sahiba... none of your maids work with leather, do they?'
'Not as far as I know' she scoffed mildly
Once he'd passed by the stable boys, he brought his steps to a slow stop 'Gafhoor... by any chance... would YOU know anyone who might be working with leather?'
'W...what?' the attendant swallowed hard, before looking up at his master 'No Sahib...'
'Sayyid...' Akbar immediately yelled, taking Gafhoor by complete surprise 'remind me again... where does his little brother work?'
'He works with a cobbler... a shoemaker...' Sayyid revealed.
'Ya Allah!' gasped the crowd of spectators, the loudest gasps being those of the Kotwal and his ruffians themselves.
Of course, by now, they weren't bothered about the two ladies they'd nearly assaulted. Two 'common maids' who could do little else but watch the proceedings with sheer disgust, while the person who'd been their loudest accuser, was turning out to be the true culprit!
'Shoemaker? That's not true!' said Gafhoor, fiercely shaking his pale face in protest
Akbar slipped his hand around the stable-boy's shoulder firmly, a menacing tactic to give his culprit an idea of the kind of man he was messing with 'Do you think I wouldn't know, young man? I find out everything about a person, before I hire him!'
'S... sahib...' he stammered, unsuccessfully attempting to wriggle out of the man's grip 'my brother is not even in town!'
Akbar gave Gafhoor a few moments to accept his involvement in the crime - and when he didn't, read out a set of orders to his men 'Sayyid... Azeez... his brother will either be at his house... or at the shop... you'll find the 60 silver coins with him... drag him here... and the truth will be known ... quick!'
'Khan Sahib!' Gafhoor lamented - he was evidently appalled by what that search party would find 'You are mistaken!'
'No YOU were... by undermining me! Did you assume that since I wouldn't be home this morning, your crime would go unnoticed?' Akbar pulled him up by his collar, forcing the shorter-built Gafhoor to balance upon his toes, as his own chilling glares bore into a petrified set of eyes 'If you confess now, I'll ensure the Kotwal Sahib goes light on you... if not, I'll make sure you're imprisoned for a long long time... and your brother shall never find work in this town again!'
'It was all my brother's idea... not mine... I'm innocent... please give me a chance, Sahib!'
'Oh really? An 8 year old's idea?' Akbar frowned in disbelief. Not only was this criminal selfish and adamant, he was stupid too - refusing to admit to his offense despite the many threats looming over his head. He darted Ibrahim an I-told-you-so glance for trusting the words of such a manipulator, before shoving Gafhoor over to the town-chief 'Take him Kotwal Sahib... this man will never learn...'
However, just as the Kotwal was about to have him shackled, the stable boy managed to weasel out of their clutches. In a hasty flash, he drew out a sharp metal blade from within one of his inner pockets. The fact that no one had expected him to retaliate in this manner worked in his favour. While the men were still reeling from the shock, he leapt at Akbar, running his knife around the man's neck.
As everyone, including the Parnagarh retinue, witnessed the attack in paralysed horror, Heera froze in her spot. The colour sucked out of her beautiful features, a name subconsciously lingered upon her lips 'Khan Sahib?'
For a moment, it appeared as though Gafhoor had sliced Akbar's throat with the blade.
But, the noise that was heard thereon made their skins crawl.
CRRR...RACKKK!
And the 'CRRR...RACK' was followed by an ear-splitting loud howl.
Having managed to stop the assault by ducking his neck aside in a jiffy, the young man had grabbed the attacker's wrist and twisted it like a rope, splitting a bone or two within.
While the ladies looked away, the scene too gruesome for them to stomach, Gafhoor lay writhing on floor in agony, clutching his immobile hand close to his chest 'Aaargh... ghhh... ghhh... Sahib... you've broken my hand...'
'Well...' Akbar straightened the sleeves of his tunic that'd been disturbed in the tussle 'I did warn you to keep your hands to yourself! Be glad you're still alive...'
And it wasn't long before the young man stepped out of the chamber, nonchalantly crossing the Parnagarh retinue on his way out, as though nothing bizarre had happened at all. Because most others might not know, but this was just another day, just another incident, in the dangerous life that he led.
Cricket
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