Dear Friends,
At present I am reading a book called 'Zemindar' based on Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 or as we call it the 1st war of Independence. While reading this book I realised that I have not used Mutiny as a backdrop, now this is something interesting. I have used the basic backdrop from the book but the story is mine, except for one or two characters it does not have any other similarity till now'.I hope you will like it J
My Previous FFs:
A Shining Star : https://india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1220885
Coffee & Rains : https://india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1237322
A Touch of Remembrance: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1172085
'The Uncut Diamond' https://india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1152499 'Dance with me tonight' https://india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1149016.
The Emperor & the girl : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1122861
A Little Space : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1103113
A New Beginning: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1083796
The Christmas Cake : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1082945
A Tear in the Wind: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1069888
SS : The Everlasting Love : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1065677
Kasamh Se https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/929115/ff-kasamh-se-ch-51-end-pg-116-updtd-on-25-9
The Captured Heart: /forum/kasamh-se/1026470/ff-the-captured-heart-ch-18-pg-45-last-chapter
Chhoti si mulakat : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=999441
A New Dawn : https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=974981
The Phone Call : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/910155/ff-the-phone-call-epilogue-pg-52 Dil Ki Suno : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/874713/ff-dil-ki-suno-epilogue-pg-53 Eternal Soulmates: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/869198/ff-eternal-soulmates-ch-5-pg-7-end The Flowers of Spring, https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=853938&T PN=1
Ek Kashish: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/830952/ff-ek-kashish-ch-20-and-epilogue-pg-58 The Crushed Innocence :https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=800150& TPN=1#13464286
The Destiny: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=779329&T P
Ankho hi Ankho me: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=738121&T PN
Woh Raat : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/731347/ff-woh-raat-chapter-6-pg-10-last-ch
Anokha Rista (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/712391/anokha-rishta-chapter-18-and-epilog-pg42).
Chhoti si aasha https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/672677/ff-chhoti-si-aasha-ch29-and-epi-pg-76:
Kuch Achhe Kuch Bure (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/641995/kuch-achhe-kuch-bure-ch-24-and-epilog-pg71); Thori si bewafai (https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=615869) Kuch Rahen Anjaani Si (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/573991/ff-kuch-rahein-anjaani-si-ch-36-pg111): Contract Heir: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=536274&T PN. Return of Bani Walia, https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/515481/return-of-bani-walia-note-on-pg-31: :Business Tycoon Jai Walia marries a Mt Abu Girl(https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/486636/business-tycoonjw-marriesfinal-prt-pg64). Mai Apke bina nehi reh sakti hu (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/457994/mai-apke-bina-nehi-reh-updt-pg-11-pt-ix)& Finding Bani (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/kasamh-se/469208/finding-bani-ff-part-viii-page-8).
Pride, Honour & Love
As the flame of the lamp flickered he watched her face, with pleasure and ecstasy, her eyes were half closed, her lips half open with low moaning, her dark hair spread over pillow, her golden skin glistered with perspiration, he loved to see her like this, the very sight drove him crazy, he could feel her nails digging into his skin, he growled his release before slumping on her, he lay holding her for sometime, getting back their breaths, sleep was overtaking him gradually but then he had to return, go back, taking a deep breath, he sprang up, she too rose, she knows he will not stay any longer, picking up the lamp she inspected her handiwork, he stood patiently with a smile as she did, sticking out her tongue she licked them, her way of disinfecting them'.by the time they finished dressing each other, they were aroused again, rearranging their clothes a bit, he picked her up''
After a hard kiss on her lips, he finally tucked his shirt as she buttoned his knee height leather boots, going down the stairs, he whistled for his horse when he stepped outside, as he rode past, he saw her standing in the dimly lit window'..
The horse knew the way, through the grassland he rode making minimum noise, the house was dark standing like a big shadow, he rode upto the side stairs and got down'.hearing his arrival, a small shadow stood up, taking the reins from him and whistling towards stable for the handler to come and take the horse away'.hurrying to follow him through the door'.as he managed to scramble up the stairs behind his master, he was washing his face with the water kept in the bowl, handing over the towel to he wipe his face, the servant bent to open his boots'.as he held the robe for his master, he noticed the nail marks on his back'.god knows where he went to a woman or inside a tiger's cage'he muttered under his breath'.
Todd'.His master called'
Yes Gov'nor, as per the latest message the carriage has reached Lucknow and reported to my lady'..
Good'.he sat down on the bed''
It seems my lady has a company 'Todd reported'.
He raised his brow, what is new in that'..
No the usual, Todd nodded his head, are you sure you do not want to apply any antiseptic on them Gov'nor, he asked in a straight face'
No she has done it'.goodnight, he went under the covers without another word'.by the time Todd lowered the lamp, blew out the candles and picked up his discarded clothes, the man was fast asleep'
+++
The place was called Dariyaganj, few hundred kilometers above Lucknow, in the foothills of the Himalayas, known for its beauty and hospitality. It was a rich estate growing variety of crops and livestock. The estate was in the province of Oudh (Awadh), a rich kingdom of India, recently annexed by the Company by imprisoning and sending the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah to Calcutta, the capital of British India. The political situation of the kingdom was predictable turbulent as of the country in whole, the East India Company was expanding the British Rule and upsetting various native kings and nawabs. They were loosing control over the land which belonged to them and many of them thought the Company was snatching it away from them in one pretext or the other, imprisoning the rulers or sending them to exile.
The estate of Dariyaganj enjoyed a unique status, inspite of being under the kingdom of Oudh it belonged to an Englishman by the name of Adam Wallace. He had come to India to work for the East India Company as a young man with big dreams. He wanted to make his life, earn good money and return back to England, in the ship he met a young woman by the name of Danielle of French origin, belonging to an elite family but due to French Revolution, many of them were fleeing the country'during their travel to India for over 5 months, they shared many of their interest and found a lot common. After the ship docked in Calcutta, they went on their respective ways, he joined his job as a writer and linguist and she as a private tutor of English children in India, teaching them music and etiquette. They kept on meeting on various occasion and Danielle being a beauty soon became very popular and most sought after, but Danielle's heart lay with Adam, the stocky man with no noticeable features but intelligent eyes, seeing Adam not forthcoming with marriage proposal, Danielle proposed him one evening'.
Adam smiled well Danielle, I do hold a feeling of love for you but keep a beauty like yours I do not have a proper home nor money to give you the clothes you should have, food you should eat'.
We are in the land of opportunities Adam and I am sure you will make it big or lets say we will make it big'.They got married in a small ceremony and had a son by the name of Joan'.on a Company mission Adam was sent to Oudh, being a linguist he had taken to learn the local language before he came to the province which proved beneficial for him. Thinking he was an Englishman, he happened to overhear some nobles plotting against the then Nawab. Adam knew he had struck gold, he immediately requested for an appointment with the Nawab, which he made full use of'.the plot was unearthed, Adam's words proved to be true, pleased the Nawab presented with an estate to Adam, along the foothills of Himalayas, quite substantial.
Adam left the Company's job and with his wife and son moved to his estate. It was wild without proper planning and vegetation. Being a person with foresight he immediately started making clearing for growing cash crops, planted fruit orchard, of course kept part of the forest for logs and timbers. As money started pouring in he and his wife built this massive palace like structure as their home'.Danielle's sense of style and beauty was commendable, while Adam worked in the fields, sold their crop etc, she built the house, supervised interiors, ordered various artifacts from France and England, after few years the Wallaces of Dariyaganj became most talked about elite in the province of Oudh and beyond. They hobnobbed with the natives nobles as well as the top officers of the Company, British Army etc etc., in short they now established themselves one of the foremost upcoming novo rich of the, that was about 50 years ago, now the Wallace Family, Zamindar of Dariyaganj was a name counted in the whose who list of Indian sub-continent. Adam Wallace left for his heavenly abode few years after a freak accident which killed his only son Joan. Joan had married an English maiden, sister of a company officer visiting her brother'.Maud as she was known could not stay much longer in Dariyaganj after the death of her husband because she found Danielle too formidable, too well known and still too beautiful, before sailing to England, Danielle ensured that her grandson, Jacques was handed over to her before Maud left, of course in exchange of a good dowry for her next marriage.
++++
At present the owner of Dariyaganj was Jacques Wallace, able inheritor of his grandfather, he was a tall man with auburn hair, golden grey eyes and tanned skin, his French blood was more pronounced that his English one'due to his tanned skin people often mistook his identity as native but his eyes, the same colour of his grandmother's gave away his identity, though he attended schooling in France, he spoke several native dialects flawlessly, a linguist like his grandfather.
++++
At the break of dawn, Todd led the stallion towards the portico, as the grandfather clock struck 7, he heard the footsteps crossing the hall, his master made his appearance in his breaches and linen shirt, unbuttoned upto his chest, his leather boots, Todd handed over the rein, he jumped up the stallion, Todd gestured his salute and patted the stallion at its back, he rode out followed by his bodyguard Ismail, the tall and broad Pathan whose appearance itself was quite awesome'.Todd knew Benarasi Dass, the head clerk was waiting at the fringes of the jungle, today they will inspect the western boarders of the property, the logs being cut for the forthcoming winter, the boarder with its neighbours, the villages thereof, any disputes, any encroachment from the neighbouring estate, yes it was a major issue, though they were amicable neighbours, entertained each other during special occasions and organized hunting parties but yes they had to be alert as everybody was trying to increase their estate, and not all estates have written and well defined deed like the Wallaces.
Todd whistled as he kept hawk eyes on the servants and other household staff, hordes of them came to work, at present it is only his master who is occupying but very soon the house will be full and with the coming of winters various parties will be organized'.the so called 'season' will start of Dariyaganj.
Inspecting the house, Todd noted areas which needed repairs, being such a big house, with towers and arches every year some maintenance work were carried out and have to be finished before the 'season' starts'.
This year who will be the guest of honour who knows, most of the top families have visited them, of course the new Commander of Residency (British Army barrack in Lucknow) will be invited but it seems My Lady is upto her tricks once again, she is bringing someone from Calcutta and Todd can guess of which variety it will be '.of course My Lady wants it to be a surprise but then Gov'nor gets all the news anyway'.he is well informed and of course Todd has a big role to play at it, he is no doubt proud of that fact'
The soft sound of feet reached Todd's ears, without even turning he knew who it can be, she was picking up flowers, jasmine and other scented ones'God knows what she does with them, heard makes oil, yes she is bewitching no doubt, her slim body, her golden skin, her dark eyes, black hair makes her so'.she knows it and she uses it to the fullest of her benefit thinks Todd, as she reached within hearing distance, Todd without turning towards her said almost to himself, My Lady has already reached Lucknow, will be here anyday'..
She shook the creeper so that the flowers dropped and sat to pick them up, Todd smiled to himself and walked away, she has heard him alright, whatever she might be, whoever she might think she is, in front of 'My Lady' she will be cut down to size'.he knows she will hardly trespass this area then'
++++
Toddy Bob was hardly 5 ft tall, standing in front of the mirror, combing his fast receding hairline, he looked at his reflection, his mother was a white woman, who served as a maid at this house, he has never seen his father, died before his birth as informed by his mother, though she had told him that he was an Englishman but Todd at times had doubts'his missing height, he was fairer than the natives, meaning his covered parts but he got tanned quite easily, without any problem,, Todd peered into the mirror, his nose not sharp enough, eyes not light enough'he sighed with his mother dead and being a lone child what prove does he have anyway'.his eyes went to the clock, picking up his tall hat, he put it on to go out of the room and wait for his master to return from his rounds'.
++++
Jacque looked at Banarasi Das, the crop was almost ready for harvesting, we will have good crops this year, hopefully a few more days without any incident '..Banarasi Das observed'
Have you organized the night patrol, Jacque asked him, with the crops getting ready I do not want the looters to come'.
Don't worry Jai Saheb, we still have sometime for that but touch wood this year the yield should be good'
Yes nodded Jacque and that is why I do not want the looters to get the smell of it'.
Hmmmm, I will send a word around to the headmen of the villages by tomorrow so we can decide the same in the durbar this week'.
Hmm that should be okay, last time we were a bit late had lost a few acres, Jacques replied thoughtfully'.I think after we get this moving, I will go to Lucknow to speak to the buyers, if we have good crop, negotiations should start early for a good deal'.
I heard My Lady is on her way, asked Banarasi Das'..
Has reached Lucknow should be here any day, I have already sent her favourite carriage, I will wait for her arrival'.
Of course you should welcome her before you go, but Jai Sahib I would like to remind you about the Indigo cultivation, everybody is doing it now, would you like to check up on some experts when you are in Lucknow'..
Jacque kept quiet'..I will think about it'.he replied after a long pause'.
But'.Banarasi frowned'.
I think we should give it a thought once again'as you know no farmer wants indigo plantation on his land because it is not good for the soil and now the political situation is a bit volatile I feel with the sudden ousted of the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah'..
Woh toh Lucknow me Sahib, idhar kya, this is Dariyaganj, quite far from Lucknow and here you are the lord and master'.
Jacques laughed '.Yes Banarasi but then at times the air is not right though I will give it a thought once again no doubt'..
As they passed the fields and villages, they stopped at times to speak to the local people, Jacques distributed biscuits to the children running about, they knew his habit and thronged him'.settled few minor disputes, the major ones have to be addressed at the Durbar'.gave some instruction etc and in no time in was mid-day'.they parked their horses in a wood'while they grazed, Ismail laid out their lunch'Banarasi was carrying his own lunch, being a devout Hindu he will not like to share it with a Christian and a Muslim'..
As Jacques munched his paratha and kabab, he looked around, yes Dariyaganj was truly a beautiful place, being on foothill, he would see the snowcapped mountains in the horizon on a clear day, his land, crisscrossed with brooks and springs and river tributaries was fertile in general, the winters could be very chilly and summers very hot, no wonder 'My Lady' does not like to spend the summers here anymore, it is either in the hills, like Shimla or Moussouri, later going down to Calcutta where the Capital of the Company is, a place of power, fashion, drama and of course gossips'..
He at times accompanies her, settles her to the hills and stays with her for few days, she has good servants to take care of her, so no worries and then he is back here'..getting the land ready for crops before the monsoon starts and anyway to be very truthful he does not like to stay away from this land for long, this is where he was born and raised, this is his where is heart is, yes this land is his home 'jaan se aziz' as he likes to put it and of course there is also now another reason'.suddenly his back itched as if reminding him of her presence'.
He smiled remembering last night, it was good to be in her arms once again'.he looked around Banarasi Das was dozing after his meal, Ismail watching the grazing horses'.
At the age of 15, when the old man was alive, he was sent to France for completing his finishing school'To be very frank, he hated his stay there, though his grandmother spoke French with him and inspite of knowing how to read and write fluently, he hated his stay there, everything seemed alien to him, he missed his servants, his friends, his grandparents, the place was unknown, weather too cold, though he had to spend 6 years there, only to return as a man on the death of his grandfather, he was glad to be home, for the last 12 years he is managing the estate, enjoying every bit of it'.of course there are ups and downs but then he is the lord and master as Banarasi Das said and he knows it is his loss or gain at the end of the day.
+++++
The water was cool, he swam through it briskly, after his body cooled down, he lay on his back, staring at the sky, the sun was no longer strong, when he felt a sprinkle of water on his face, turning he saw her standing, well no one else will have so much courage anyway'he swam across to her'.
Kya hai Bani, he asked as he hauled himself up, she handed his shirt to him, which he wore above his wet beaches, not bothering to tuck in'.
Maine suna she is on her way here'.
So she is, after all the winters are about to set in and this is her home'.
Bani looked away her face already crestfallen'.
Pata nehi iss bar kise layegi'.
Hmmm toh is baath ki chinta hai '.
Nehi hona chahiye kya? She asked him'.
He smiled catching her eyes'.Yesterday night Todd was wondering from where I came'koi ladki thi yeah sherni ?
Her face went red, kis baath ki kya uttar, aap Todd ko bahut barawa dete hai, why does he have to poke his nose in everything'.
Oh so Todd told you about her arrival'.
Well kya pharak parta hai, as you said this is her home and winters are setting in'..
Tujhe kis baath ki dar, mai hu na, he pulled her churni and started drying his hair'
She grabbed it back, bringing her face close to his, she said, baba ne sikhaya kabhi kisi mard ko biswas math karna'.turning she ran towards her home, he whistled, climbing on to the stallion he followed her, she tried to dodge but then he scooped her up, hugging her to him, he buried his face in her shoulders'..
Kya kar rahe hai aap'chhoriye mujhe'.
Do you really want that'he whispered huskily in her ears'..she went silent, hugging his arm she sighed, a lot of thoughts crossed her mind but she treasured the moment of closeness, after her arrival, the season will start, maybe it will be days before Bani gets to see him again, no she will get to see him but be close to him again'.
+++++
Hollywood
Anupamaa
Health and Fitness
