NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~THREAD 34~Chapter 39(2 PARTS)SEP 17th

lashy thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#1
Prologue

Three Great Emperors had toiled hard to build the vast and flourishing legacy of the 'Mughal Empire', keeping relative peace by unifying its Mughals and Hindus. However; by mid 1600s, cracks began to appear in its solid foundations. Insecurities crept in through the gaps, widening the gulfs between the two religions once again.

With the old Emperor becoming too feeble to take charge and his jealous successors remaining preoccupied with expansion and power, the damage was never repaired. Not surprising then that new rebellions arose every day. Violence escalated, claiming many innocent lives.

Yet; in the midst of such turmoil and peril, there bloomed a beautiful story - much like a lone flower blossoming upon the steepest edges of a cliff - a story of love, of sacrifice and honour!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Forced to flee from her motherland, the one home she knew... forced to leave behind her people, for whom, she was their only hope...forced to grievously abandon the last rites of her loved one while the flames on the pyre were still ablaze...the orphaned heiress of 16 overcame grief and many shortcomings, as she embarked on a long dangerous path... setting out to seek help and support, for her people and her lands...

Till a chance stay with a complete stranger would change the course of those very plans forever!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Being the most shrewd, determined and unforgiving of the lot meant he was formidable... a force to be reckoned with... it also meant he could have owned it all - riches, power, women and fame... but, he fancied none of it...

As a recluse with simple tastes, the rich life held no real appeal... power didn't tempt him... women didn't interest him... his passion was work and his only family were a few loyal friends... he had decided that he wanted little else in life...

Till a chance visit from a complete stranger would change that decision forever!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



Part 2 Individual links

Part 3 Individual links
Link to Chapter 37 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/jodha-akbar/4865965/novel-hiding-behind-a-stranger-thread-32-chapter-37-upd-jun-28th

Edited by lashy - 7 years ago

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lashy thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#2

Back from Holidays.

Back to routine.

And here I am, with my next instalment after 2 months. Hope you all have had a good summer🤗

Since it's been a while, here's a small recap of where we left (courtesy, Rose)

RECAP

After a misunderstanding that led to the pair parting ways on the valleys with nothing said, Heera receives letters from her Godparents in Bansi - one addressed to her, and the other to Akbar.

Akbar returns after 8 days, badly wounded in a mission that went awry (where he was double-crossed). Azeez seeks the help of Heera in tending to Akbar's wounds. She gets to confront a few realities of Ustaad for the first time and finds herself 'moved' rather than 'displeased' by them!

As per Maharaj Chitranjan's very impersonal request, Akbar decides to accompany Heera to Ma Jagdamba temple to perform the 40th day ceremony for Durga Sahiba.

Elsewhere, Mahendar is also headed for this temple town. But not before sending a message to Khalil to renew an acquaintance with him - hoping to eventually sniff out more information about the Mansabdar of Parnagarh.

Edited by lashy - 7 years ago
lashy thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#3


THIS IS A "MEMBERS ONLY" POST
The Author of this post have chosen to restrict the content of this Post to members only.


lashy thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#4


THIS IS A "MEMBERS ONLY" POST
The Author of this post have chosen to restrict the content of this Post to members only.


lashy thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#5

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Takht-e-Sulaiman - Solomon's seat i.e. Emperor's throne (Urdu/Persian)
Shehzade - prince (Urdu/Persian)
Shehenshah - Emperor (Urdu/Persian)
Wazir-us-Sultanat - Chief minister (Urdu/Persian)
Farmaan - official decree/document (Urdu/Persian)
Maharaj/Maharani - King/Queen
Maharaj - Chef/Cook
Kunwar - Prince (Generally used in Rajputana)
Baisa - Lady/Miss/Mrs/Madam (Marwari)
Banna - Mr/Sir (Marwari)
Sahib - Mr/Master/Sir (Urdu)
Sahiba - Ms/Mrs/Lady (Urdu)
Dams - copper coins
Vaid - Doctor/Healer
Ustad - Teacher/ Master of arts (Urdu)
Caravansarai - Caravan site
Kotwal - Town chief
Kos - old measurement system of distances, used in India
Tahar - battle axe (Urdu/Persian)
Khuda Hafiz - Farewell greeting which translates into 'May God be your protector' (Urdu/Persian)
Adab/Adaab - Words of Salute/respect (Urdu/Persian)
Taslim - A salute (Mughalian)
Hukum - Sir (Used commonly to address Rajput royalty)
Salaam - A form of greeting that translates to 'Hello/Hi' (Urdu/Persian)
Shubh Ratri - Good evening/Good night (Marwari)
Padhar jo Sa - I shall leave now (Marwari)
Zergul - Calendula flower
Chulho - Wood fire stove
Ganjifa - A card game, slightly similar to poker
Ahadi - Elite bodyguard, who've received specialist training
Muqannis - Specialist canal diggers/workers
Masaka - Mosquito. (Masaka fever - Malaria)
Wali - Guardian
Nikah - Islamic wedding ceremony
Valeema - Islamic wedding reception
Saleem Shahis/Shahees - A special kind of shoe/jootis stylised during Jahangir's time

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A laptop, a dictionary, some imagination and loads of dreams... Trying my hand at writing, once again...

Great to be back on this platform... looking forward to regularly catching-up with my lovely old friends ... looking forward to making new ones too!

Thank you all for being here... and for your support... it means a lot... 🤗

If this made for a worthwhile read, please do leave me a comment/like when you can, as it really does helps the writer in me to keep going!

I have a FB page called Lashy Writes - please 'like' it if you are more regular on FB, as I post the teasers/update links there 😊

Edited by lashy - 7 years ago
lashy thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#6
Story so far by Saraswathi Aunty...

Chapter 39.


Archer


The Story goes...

What a fantastic chapter
Served to us on a platter
Making us wonder how the author has managed
To have all the best inputs so arranged..
The chapter has all the qualities of a rhapsody
Well tuned like an orchestrated melody
It reaches the crescendo with the surprise she throws
About the mysterious owner of the grey arrows..

She goes to pay homage to her jiji at the temple
But is slandered by the priests who call themselves noble
She leaves the place with a heavy heart
Unaware of him watching her from the very start
She stops near the arena, where the kunwar appears
Throwing a challenge to him for a fight with swords and spears
In addition to the ill treatment she faced earlier badly
The prince later mocks at her so very cowardly..

To her utter surprise he carefully avoids
Kunwar's challenges with the spears and also the swords
He decides finally to 'play' with the archery
Deliberately loses to the man noted for his treachery
Though the prince gloats over his victory with splendor
He still isn't happy that it is not over a tough contender
She frets over the results seeing him defeated in the game
Similarly we, like her, do wish the same.

Thereafter the story describes her emotions
In such beautiful words that deserve our admiration..
They have to share the bed in the make shift room designed
She is restless with unanswered questions looming in her mind
And expects him to come and join her any moment,
But with the mixed feelings she tries to overcome.
She slowly gets into conversation with him at ease
Asking him about the reason avoiding fight with the prince.

What an intimate dialogue between the two in the night's silence!
He says, "...you think I'd stand back and watch in silence
While another man ill-treated the lady I'd sworn to care for ever?"
She in turn, " ..it gave me no pleasure watching you lose to that man!." .Never!
The rest of the passage is a testimony of the author's skill
In painting the picture of the delightful two with an artist's quill!
Next day dawns with a shocking surprise in the Archery arena
Four grey arrows have found their mark in style like a ballerina!

What a suspense filled end the chapter gives us
But those who know him can very well guess
Inspired by her "It gave me no pleasure in watching you lose.."
He ventured out in the dark just to make her amused.
The chapter shows the couple , with each other's help
Understand each other and take their first step
The chapter is like a feast served with grandeur
Hope the upcoming chapters will also be the same for sure!


Karkuzhali.


Edited by lashy - 7 years ago
lashy thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#7
After 2 months, I hope I haven't left you all disappointed
Edited by lashy - 7 years ago
lghosh thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#8
I will read and then comment. But first to post. 🥳 And the long awaited update is here! My CS is here! 🥳
Kuki715 thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#9


😆
Aap nahi sudhroge

Congratulations everyone 🥳
Thank you Lashy di for new home and update 🤗
harshu27 thumbnail
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Posted: 7 years ago
#10
congrats fr a new thread and will read soonish and dn cum bk wid a comment😃

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