NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~THREAD 52 - CHAPTER 57 - UPD 28th Jan

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 6 years ago

#51

Originally posted by: Kuki715

Your suda suda reaction... After so long.. What a treat

Agree about mixed feelings about Mahendra... Till the very end I was enjoying his downfall but that line.. It made me

Even axe-gif girl was moved at Mahendar's death? 😲

Then the 'turning' emotions were a success...🥳

There were many 'turns' in emotions in 57 and some that came a full circle!

1) Chacha jaan for the first time refused food. Going from that low point, to his quiet voice finally yelping in relief. I think all men of Ustaad secretly feared Mahendar (as a fighter) more than they do Khalil. (Who only has one arm)

2) Shehzaade's constant back-and-forth between wanting to let his hatred go, almost forgetting about it while being so enthralled by the match... (by the way, just like the men of Ustaad, Shehzaade quickly caught on to AMK's game - a wounded lion tires his enemies out first - that is the sort of connection they used to have)

And then finally, going back to hatred because he's afraid to be proved wrong!

3) Mahendar finally accepting he was wrong (somewhere), facing downfall in public (his worst fear) and yet finding peace in death.

4) Heera's tired body and mind almost losing this long battle, exhausted - till Gauri reminds her of their end game. And then by the end, she's finally foun her crown of pride (that'd gone lost when Shehzaadi had her slapped)

5) Mohan banna and Parnagarhis rejoicing at Ustaad's (at Khalil's mentor's) victory over Mahendar (Their aagya jamaisa) Their revenge satiated.

6) Azeez having an instant connection with the not-so-spiteful guard though he can't understand why - same-age same-size same-mischievous personality - Of course he was afraid to think so, till NSS actually reveals his name...

Came a full circle there.. Azeez having lost his buddy-for-life Chota Faizaan. Found another one in the form of Chota Zayaan today... fate's uncanny ways!

7) Ustaad having always been someone who'd garner awe and silence everyone where he went (remember the scene when he walks into the soldier's camp and how everyone falls silent?) Yet, he was destroyed by enemies such that he entered the biggest duel of his life still recovering, and thus exhausted.

Or so most thought!

Having said that, he fought the best battle of his life in this state - more than when he was at his fighting best! And despite not an ounce of care to 'show off' his skills (survival is his only motto) ended up turning all spectators in his favour...

Edited by lashy - 6 years ago

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Sandhya.A

@Sandhya.A

Sparkler

Posted: 6 years ago

#52

A perfect penultimate chapter 👏 With a perfect mix of emotions action wit closure and intrigue.👏

Chachajaan who had seen all shades of life now fearing the red... with his sole survival point of life, his son's life at stake. He must have been used to the perils that the Ustaad frequently undertook. But all that was when his son was at his fittest self. And he must have masked the trepidation with jolly banters. The uncertainties of the past month and rumours of the Ustaad's health seem to have bitten into the old man's mask and his sole prop are his prayers.

The men's loyalty and respect and love for their mentor is no less. Good that the Shehzade is out of earshot and the sly old fox is not there to fan his anger.

The lady in blue veil...AMK's mother? And what was her plan? Her manouvre to help AMK survive? Did she alert the Shahenshah and request him to the duel and pardon AMK's sentence. Now that makes me curious as to WHOM she ran away with. A nobleman, someone close to the emperor (or the Emperor himself?😉 )And she is close to the Shehzadi...she is seated in the stands close to her...she must be someone of consequence...🤔... Was she the one who placed Chota Zayaan in the dungeons? OR was she not that influential and Zayaan was her son from her second marriage?

Whatever AMK's mummyji is and is not if she has done or going to do something to save her son's life that she had once abandoned, she would atone for her sins and heal Akbar's hurt to a good extent.

Or she could be someone else altogether.

See Lashy Sahiba, how much curiosity you have generated even in the closing chapters. Kudos to your writing skills.👏

Heera's picture of worry and sorrow...very poignant.👍🏼 So was Azeez's surprise at the return of a 'Chota' as Ustaad's loyalist within his circles. Given Zayaan's attitude that is much like Azeez's, i can forsee a budding friendship.😊

There was a time when the Parnagarhis cheered Mahender and would have done anything to see him defeat a Mughal. But today, they cheered the Ustaad's victory. Goes on to show how much the Ustaad was considered their own. ⭐️

The duel and the roasting in next.😃

Edited by Sandhya.A - 6 years ago

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Sandhya.A

@Sandhya.A

Sparkler

Posted: 6 years ago

#53

The duel

You remember the edit of the return of the Ustaad? And all our collective gasps and adoration. You hastily reminded us that it a was figurative edit. 😆 That should have told us that the entry per se was not going to be one to evoke gasps, but nevertheless the duel in itself was a seeti maar one.

The story has defied the regular hero-giri heroine-giri right from the start. Our hero is a recluse, who is focused on the ends rather than the style of the means. Principled disciplined but doesn't put it in the showcase and expect praises or appreciation. (Would have been a sore disappointment to JB) Rather he prefers to be unnoticed till he strikes the final blow.

So is Heera. Unusual for a heroine but for her breathtaking beauty. Can look deep into a person/issue inspite of limited vision. Very cautious willed and strong from within. Yet gentle and calm on the exterior. A young girl with the charms of youth and wisdom of the old.

This duel was no less in its being different. No chest thumping by the hero. No mass entry. No brandishing swords followed by lengthy speeches. He doesn't become He-man magically in two weeks. He gains enough strength to fight but hasto use it wisely for he has one more to go. So he uses strategy than heroism. Tires the swine out. Drains out his josh and makes him frustrated enough to lose his caution. Is tricked once but recovers and strikes back smartly. Plays his cards wisely and reveals his strength only as the duel progresses.

His manipulation wins back the Shehzade's interest.

Chanakya would have simply adored your leads Lashy.

You are a master at action sequences as you are with romance Sahiba. Surely we baisas feel that we have occupied an enclosure at the arena and that the duel took place 'aankhon saamne'. Right from the first clang our cheers were audible, even above the Parnagarhis and Manswaris. Weren't they? 😉

Moreover this chapter was rich in its choice of words and the imagery which made the arena and the duel more realistic.👏

Thankyou for giving the swine his due. 👍🏼

First the demons of guilt.

Fall from confidence.

Fall from pride.

Fall from honour and life.

A handsome life wasted. Like Durga's. But he wrought it upon himself. Unlike her. That is why she died in glory and he in disgrace. Intentions alone do not matter. Ends do not justify means always. And certainly not when it is underhand or backstabbing.

Lashy, i know Mahender was supposed to be lesser of the evils in the story. (Hence the guilt, conscience prick haunt and untimate relief as he breathed his last.)But my hatred for him surpassed the rest.😆

One can argue that AMK too played with Heera's trust to get at the farmaan. Had Heera died un expectantly in the course of his mission then AMK too stands in the same accused box. But it is what they did or would have done AFTER that that tells them apart. Akbar didnt use the 'love' card and go cosy with his mistress. And if Heera had a little sister AMK wouldn't have oggled at her in the garden as the next means to get at the farmaan. His consience would have torn him apart. It is here that the swine loses his respectability. His pride never allowed him to feel any true remorse. He only admitted Durga's loss as unfortunate. Of course his conscience did prick him. Hence her look alike for a wife and the haunting in his last days. And a ll this was only after he was driven to a desperate situation. Had he been hale and hearty in Manswar would he feel Durga haunt hin? He would have been too proud to care. He didnt have the humanism in him to feel sorry or make amends which AMK would have done.

His vanity, ego, lack of principles and inner strength, sense of assumed importance doubles his mistakes and ultimately led to his deserved end. Honestly, I didnt feel any sadness. Just a sense of 'it had to be so'. Had it been anything less it wouldhave been unfair.

Edited by Sandhya.A - 6 years ago

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 6 years ago

#54

Originally posted by: Sabdabhala

UTSAAH HAI, ULLAAS HAI, AAJ SHANKH NAAD HAI
DRARIH SUAR KE ANTH KA YE PRABAL ANUVAAD HAI

(There is excitement, there is joy. The sound of the conch can be heard far and wide. A treacherous swine has met its end, and the sound is a befitting translation)

Baap re... Lavanya... romte khade ho gaye! (Hope I was right!)

HAR KISI KO IS SUAR KE KARNAAME YAAD HAIN
GAGAN MEIN EK VEERAANGANA PHIR HUI AABAAD HAI

( Everyone can clearly recall the atrocities committed by this swine. Up in the heavens a brave warrior princess has been resurrected)

Especially with the underlined! Ufff!

EK RIPU NE AAJ CHAKHA KARARI HAAR KA SWAAD HAI
DOOSRE KI BHAYANAK HAAR BAS KUCHH DER BAAD HAI

(One enemy has tasted a huge defeat. We all await the gruesome defeat of the other one, just round the corner)

🥳

'HOSLE BULAND HAIN' YE GHAAYAL SINGH KI DAHAAD HAI
HUM SABHI KI PRAARTHANAYEIN, ANEKON AASHIRVAAD HAIN

(A wounded lion roars to convey that his spirit and morale is high. From our side we send his way our innumerable prayers and blessings)

🥳
How touching... how full of emotion and passion for the good, for the hero!

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Kuki715

@Kuki715

Rocker

Posted: 6 years ago

#55

Originally posted by: lashy

Twice I posted and twice I lost the '4th edited version' to 'Message overlimit'
Extending my staying awake from 2 to 3 last night 😭

Aww 🤗🤗

Rupinder... Enjoyed your comments 😳

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 6 years ago

#56

Originally posted by: Sandhya.A
Heera's picture of worry and sorrow...very poignant.👍🏼 So was Azeez's surprise at the return of a 'Chota' as Ustaad's loyalist within his circles. Given Zayaan's attitude that is much like Azeez's, i can forsee a budding friendship.😊

There was a time when the Parnagarhis cheered Mahender and would have done anything to see him defeat a Mughal. But today, they cheered the Ustaad's victory. Goes on to show how much the Ustaad was considered their own. ⭐️

Sandy did you add these points after reading the one I wrote just above yours?😆

J/K -🤗 see what I've written... it's the same! Mwah!

Edited by lashy - 6 years ago

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 6 years ago

#57

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Chapter 57.

Haikus:

A wonderful one
The chapter fifty seven
Oh my God! My God! ⭐️ 👏

Oh my God at Periyamma's Oh my God indeed!

The fight so thrilling
Make Lashy's running comments
Ustaad meets Kunwar!

Really? Really? Oh my God!

To know more of this
And the result of the fight
Read the full chapter! 👍🏼

KK
😆 🤗 Thank you so so so so much Periyamma!

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 6 years ago

#58

Originally posted by: Testmytest
OMG it was thrilling to watch the duel game from the arena. Felt like I was there seating in the front row watching a live show. 🤗
I have to give couple more reads, will be back!!

Omg thanks a ton, Rekha... thank you so so so much 🤗

Buy yaay...kunwar of manswar is no more!!! 😊

One down, one more to go!!

Beautifully penned down Lashy, you are a gifted Author, thank you, thank you, thank you for giving us this novel dear!! 🤗

Awww and thank you for being here!🤗What would I do without y'all?

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 6 years ago

#59

Originally posted by: kruthik

Chitti it's been a while since I got to see your comments 🤗

Fantastic chapter Lashy Sahiba.
Made us hold out breath till end. Thanks for making us witness the fight of the Ustaad. He fought with mind though he was physically weak.
Actually, he IS strong... he has recovered... just not yet as strong as before... and with this being the biggest battle of his life (has to kill them both, so they don't pose a threat to Heera/his men/Parnagarh after he is gone)
So, being the smart fighter he is, he's being very cautious... hence the analogy with a man stranded in an ice-desert, who saves every ember of coal since its precious... A full two weeks he's had to chart his game plan along with his physical recovery!

Mahendran was also a very good swordsman.
But he lost to ustaad pathetically because he was guilt ridden.
And also because he can never match the Ustaad when it comes to 'wits' 😉

Thank you so much for yet another awesome chapter.

Thank you so much for the comments, chitti 🤗

Was the lady in blue veil his mother. God.

Wait and watch!😃

Edited by lashy - 6 years ago

Quote

Kuki715

@Kuki715

Rocker

Posted: 6 years ago

#60

Originally posted by: lashy

Even axe-gif girl was moved at Mahendar's death? 😲

>>>😒

Then the 'turning' emotions were a success...🥳

There were many 'turns' in emotions in 57 and some that came a full circle!

1) Chacha jaan for the first time refused food. Going from that low point, to his quiet voice finally yelping in relief. I think all men of Ustaad secretly feared Mahendar (as a fighter) more than they do Khalil. (Who only has one arm)

2) Shehzaade's constant back-and-forth between wanting to let his hatred go, almost forgetting about it while being so enthralled by the match... (by the way, just like the men of Ustaad, Shehzaade quickly caught on to AMK's game - a wounded lion tires his enemies out first - that is the sort of connection they used to have)
And then finally, going back to hatred because he's afraid to be proved wrong!

3) Mahendar finally accepting he was wrong (somewhere), facing downfall in public (his worst fear) and yet finding peace in death.

4) Heera's tired body and mind almost losing this long battle, exhausted - till Gauri reminds her of their end game. And then by the end, she's finally foun her crown of pride (that'd gone lost when Shehzaadi had her slapped)

5) Mohan banna and Parnagarhis rejoicing at Ustaad's (at Khalil's mentor's) victory over Mahendar (Their aagya jamaisa) Their revenge satiated.

6) Azeez having an instant connection with the not-so-spiteful guard though he can't understand why - same-age same-size same-mischievous personality - Of course he was afraid to think so, till NSS actually reveals his name...
Came a full circle there.. Azeez having lost his buddy-for-life Chota Faizaan. Found another one in the form of Chota Zayaan today... fate's uncanny ways!

7) Ustaad having always been someone who'd garner awe and silence everyone where he went (remember the scene when he walks into the soldier's camp and how everyone falls silent?) Yet, he was destroyed by enemies such that he entered the biggest duel of his life still recovering, and thus exhausted.
Or so most thought!
Having said that, he fought the best battle of his life in this state - more than when he was at his fighting best! And despite not an ounce of care to 'show off' his skills (survival is his only motto) ended up turning all spectators in his favour...