At the haveli gardens
Afzal held the flame of the nearby torch close to help Lashy read the message on the parchment.
"YES" was all it said. And beneath the word was a roughly drawn picture of a compound leaf.
"This looks like an imli leaf" remarked Afzal.
Lashy whispered more to herself, "These are leaves of the khejiri tree, but. ...oh! All of you are here as well"
Khan Sahib, Heera and Mirza hurried to the place lead by Dhani. Within moments, Jaswant too reached the spot.
"Well..." Khan Sahib looked around at the worried faces, " what is the ruckus about?"
"Khan Sahib, someone jumped into the haveli from the wall here and sneaked in, but ran away when i caught him sneaking." Afzal stepped forward.
"And whoever it was dropped this." Said Lashy handing over the small parchment to her cousin. Jaswant had a look from behind Mirza.
Quickly pocketing the message, Khan Sahib ordered Mirza to check out. Not delaying even a second further Ibrahim sped. Just then Khan Sahib looked up at a thoughtful Jaswant.
"I thought you had left."
"Yes Sahib, i did. But had forgotten the thing i had meant to return to my friend. So i came back when i heard the commotion here."
"Not to worry. You may carry on with your engagement."
"Of Course Sahib." Jaswant turned to leave. He was thoughtful as he walked to his room to collect Kalgi's purse. "The Kejiri leaf is supposed to be another symbol of theirs apart from the eagle".
In the Mansabdar's office
Khan Sahib was seated in a plush scarlet armchair whose rich deep shade accentuated the fairness of his skin and added further sheen to his wavy hair. But none of the eyes in the room could summon the courage to nonchalantly or even stealthily stare and admire the exceedingly handsome face, all due to the fiery seriousness that his eyes displayed. None except a pair of hazel wonders that could soften and even melt the flames themselves.
"How did he look Afzal?"
"Sahib, he was tall and well built, but was wearing something like a mask. It was dark already and i couldn't see his face. When i shouted, he turned and jumped out of the wall, probably on a horse as i heard the sound of a horse galloping. Saira and Bindiya were also there."
"i heard Afzal shout and rushed there Sahib. I saw someone jump away Sahib. But as Afzal says, his face was covered. " Bindiya said.
"i heard both their voices and went there Sahib. But by the time i reached the place that man must have left. " Saira was still trembling.
"And Lashy Sahiba came there and we spotted the parchment."
" You may all leave, i'll take care." Khan Sahib dismissed a worried Afzal, a frightened Saira and an excited Bindiya who was already formulating a few verses in her mind about the mysterious intruder.
"Who could it be" said Heera when they left. "And what could the message mean...a mere YES. Yes to what? What do you think Akbar?" Lashy questioned.
"A lot has been going on here over the last few days. Before we attempt to join the dots, let's wait for Ibrahim to get back."
Hardly did Khan Sahib finish the sentence than the office door was pushed open. "Looks like he is..."
It was a dishevelled panting Azeez Shah who rushed in.
Earlier that dayKuki looked down at her Shah Sahib just like a scientist who examines his specimen. It was early morning and he was still asleep. It ought to have been lack of sleep the previous days and possibly exhaustion too. Her own whack couldn't be this potent. She had rushed out to Naaz to fetch the water bag and sprinkled some water on him. He had stirred only to fall back asleep muttering something. Kuki was exhausted herself and decided to yield to the demands of her weary eyes.
It was dawn and Azeez was muttering again now. Kuki rubbed her eyes and pushed his auburn locks of hair that covered his face with her pan handle. Indeed it was him muttering in sleep. She was still apprehensive of his reaction after the hard whack.
"Parnagarh...Khan Sahib...secret...Lana Sahiba..."
Kuki jumped awake.
He takes her name even in sleep!
Should she wake him up? But she wanted to hear more. May be he would spill some more. The wait and her rumbling stomach added to her woes and finally she decided to cater to the latter. She slowly sneaked out of the deserted dilapated warehouse but there was nobody as far as her eyes could see. She would have to take Naaz leaving Azeez alone sleeping which was not safe.
She turned back disappointed and walked back in when a wave of joy and relief swept through her at the sight of a ber tree in the backyard of the warehouse laden with fruits .
A few minutes later Kuki was munching away at a heap of fruits piled up next to her sleeping Sahib. For a few wicked moments she was tempted not to share the fruits with him and finish them off before he woke up upset at his muttering hername...But remembering the countless times he made nimbupaani for her she nudged him awake.
Azeez Shah lazily opened his eyes to be greeted by the bright sunlight through the creeks and dirty windows of the place.
"Have we reached Parnagarh yet? " he mumbled.
"No Sahib. We are still in the old warehouse. You...errr...suddenly fell down asleep yesterday."
"Yes, i remember. Something fell on my head. Must be some of these broken stuff here, they fell even as i came in muffling my whistle. "
"That must be it Sahib. Some of these old stuff. I tried to wake you up, but you slept on..." said a relieved Kuki.
"I was rushing in as i had to get to Parnagarh to alert Khan Sahib of the secret,...surely Lana Sahiba would have warned him...but..."
Guilt weighed down on the girl as she tried to look away.
"Ya Khuda! It is almost noon and we must speed away to Parnagarh if we were to warn Khan Sahib on time. Quick. Pack up and remember to cover your hair. "
Azeez collected his waterbag and pocketed the fruits and checked for his coins, dagger and routine things as his eyes fell on an old pan that lay on the floor nearby and as he looked up at a contrite Kuki, a sudden comprehension dawned on him.
That evening at Parnagarh
Kalgiakka lost count of the number of times she had looked out of her gates. He had promised to come before sunset. Again she heard the sound of hooves and ran out. But it waa someone else. Lana's Sahib was riding at breakneck speed on his horse with the golden haired girl clinging on to him like a lizard. She rushed out onto the opposite side to have a better view when she slipped down, only to be helped out by a pair of strong hands.
"Are you okay Kalgi?" the gentle voice was very comforting indeed.
"I'm fine." Kalgiakka was back in her spirits "Lana had some work today. So could we defer our visit to her place by a few days? You'll be here for atleast a week or two, wont you? "
"Probably a week. I have some work to finish by then. I mean canal related."
"You must visit my flower farm during the day once before you leave. i would love to show you the special orchids..."
They had walked on to the riverside and spoke on a lot more before Jaswant took leave citing some work at the marketplace. He returned her purse and wished her goodbye
Kalgiakka wanted to share her joy with Lana and decided to go to her mansion.
At Lana's mansion
"Lana..." Kalgiakka hopped her way up the stairs to reach Lana's pretty chamber. 'Lana...guess what...Lana, are you alright?" Kalgiakka was aghast at the sight of her friend's sad face.
"What happened?" Kalgiakka threw her arms aroung her dear friend.
"Nothing to worry dear...i was just a little upset. It was alittle hurting to see him with her...together... on the horse. I'll be okay."
"I saw them too." whispered Kalgi. All her joy and spirits evaporated seeing her friend upset. She remembered Lana's tears when she saw them together in the boat too. She had done nothing about it and had got carried away by the builder Sahib. She was angry with herself and more at the golden haired girl. What did he find in her that Lana lacked? Lana was such a sincere gentle hearted lady and such a wonderful friend. She would do anything to snatch the man from that girl and make Lana happy.Edited by Sandhya.A - 7 years ago
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