Alzia SS - Chapter 8 UPDATED Death is not the end, its a new beginning - Page 9

CHAPTER FIVE

Presently on the battlefield

It looked like it was getting close to sunset. The scorching sunlight did not seem so scorching now. The loo wasn't blowing anymore. On the contrary, a cool breeze had taken its place. Strange ! Was it nature's way of showering its affection on two lovers for whom perhaps time was running out ?

They stood there, facing each other, having defeated the group they were fighting with while being consumed in the memories of their wedding night. She was blushing crimson though still trying to fake a frown for his deeds of trapping her inside the room with him and he was eyeing at her with his usual seductive grin and eyes that made her weak in the knees.

"Hmmm" she said breaking the romantic silence between them, "Toh khoob maza aaya aapko, apni Begum ko apne saath kamre mein qaid karke ?"

"Qaid toh hum aapko uss raat apni baahon mein karna chahate thay, magar aap humse door bhaag rahi thi, toh socha chalo kamrey mein door hii sahi, magar hamari nazron ke saamne toh qaid hai na" he said.

"Toh aapki tedi chaal kuch zyada kaam nahi aayi Subedar Sahab ?" she tried to tease him.

"Uska humein gham nahi hai, ab hamari ziddi Mohtarma ko bina mehnat kiye, aise hii qaid kar lete toh bhala usmein woh sukoon kahan milta ..." he said dreamily, "Lekin humein zyada mehnat karni bhi nahi padi...kyunki uske kuch dino baad hii..." he stopped talking there concentrating heavily on her reaction, wanting to see if she got his cue.

He didn't have to wait that long. Her expressions had changed from playful to eyes widening in disbelief which immediately authenticated his thoughts that she too was thinking about that most beautiful night of their lives, when they had finally completed their marriage in the true sense. He was delighted. She on the other hand suddenly got irritated.

"Arrey aapne hii toh humein bata diya tha, ussi waqt hii kii aap humein dhoke se bahar laaye thay..." her expressions changed again, this time being replaced by a shock. Big shock. She had managed to put the blocks together this time without his help. Courtesy of his wedding night plans.

"Aapne humein jaan-boojh ke paani mein dhakka diya tha, hai na? she asked him in a deadly whisper.

Altunia couldn't hold back his laughter. "Kya baat hai Mohtarma, aap toh hamari saubat mein rehkar nadaan se samajhdaar ho gayi !" He continued laughing looking at the deadly stares she was giving him, as though she would eat him raw.

"Chaliye !" he said finally done with laughing, catching his breath. Still grinning, he held her hand in his and pulled her towards the next group of soldiers to fight with. "Wahan jaake unn sainikon par apna gussa utaariye"

The swords clinked, and clashed, backs once again on each other, and Razia continued to remain silent. Not being able to bear this uncomfortable quietness especially when he wanted to spend his time talking or remembering their romantic moments together, or even possibly have a round of romance together, he forced her to break her silence.

"Kya hua Mohtarma ? Itni khafa ho gayi apne mehboob se ? Kis baat ki shikayat hai aapko ?" he asked calmly, though impatient to scan through her mind, trying to figure out her thoughts. Amid the heavy clinks of the swords, he finally heard her voice, soft and painful.

"Hum khafa nahi hai aapse, naa hii koi shikayat hai humein, bas yehi soch rahe thay ki aapko najaane kya kya karna pada, humein apne kareeb lane ke liye, aap par phir aetbaar karne ke liye, aapse phir se mohobbat karne ke liye..." She said softly in a tone full of regret as though why she didn't give in sooner.

He quickly turned to look at her, still trying to concentrate hard on the one's attacking him in front. "Dobara kabhie apne aap ko dosh deni kii himmat bhi mat keejiyega, Mohtarma" he said dangerously and suddenly his voice took a passionate turn, "Aapki zidd todne mein ek alag sa sukoon tha, kyunki aapki zidd jab toot jaati thi, aap panha hamarey baahon mein dhoondti thi. Ishq badhta tha hamara, aapki na-na se."

Razia finally turned to look at him with eyes full off deep love and affection, "Woh hamari aapke saath sabse khoobsurat raat thi" she smiled, blushing and quickly turned again, dreamily replaying that evening and night in her mind.

Altunia smiled seductively and turned himself fully again, fighting with the soldiers, "Hamari bhi" he said, recalling his most beautiful moments ever spent with her.

FLASHBACK - THREE AND A HALF MONTHS AGO

15 DAYS AFTER THEIR WEDDING

THE PALACE OF THE SUBEDAR OF BHATINDA

DIWAN-E-AAM

"Aur iss tarah se Suraiyaa, aap sab ki anaaj ugaane wali pareshaani, kaafi hadh tak hal ho sakti hai." Said a caring voice, addressing a big group of ladies.

"Arrey Begum Sahiba !" said the lady named Suraiyaa, kissing her hands, "Aapke aane se Bhatinda mein ek alag sa noor hii chaa gaya hai, mano aap farishta ho koi. Hum toh zindagi bhar ke liye aapke karzdaar ho gaye."

"Aap aisa kyun keh rahi hai ? Yeh koi karz ya meherbaani nahi hai. Khushi milti hai humein, aap sabke saath baithke, aapki pareshaaniyon ka hal dhoodne mein, aapki zindagi ko aasan karne mein...behadd khushi milti hai." Smiled Razia, the Begum Sahiba of the Subedar of Bhatinda.

Their talks, their discussions continued and a few meters above the Deewan-e-Aam, all this was being closely observed from the huge windows. He had a big scowl on his face. He kept pacing up and down with impatience, pausing at times by the window to look at what was going on.

"Miyan ab shaant bhi ho jao, kab se aag babule hue jaa rahe ho." Said Zaroon

"Shaant ho jaun ?" he said angrily with a bigger scowl "Hamari Begum ko, hamare alawa baki sab ke liye bohot muft ka waqt hai ! Dekho kaise aurton ki jamaat liye roz shaam ko baith jaati hai. Subah hote hii Mahal ke yahan wahan ghoomne lagti hai. Jo kaam unke matlab ka hii nahi, woh bhi karne ki zidd pakad leti hai ! Arrey kabhie kabhie humein yeh bhi lagta hai ki humse zyada, woh Deewan-e-aam ka istemaal karti hai !"

"Toh ismein itna kya galat hai Miyan ?" said Zaroon, trying to calm him down. "Ab Bhabhijan yahan sabke saath ghul mil gayi hai, pehle ki tarah khafa nahi rehti. Tumhe toh khush hona chahiye."

Hearing this, Altunia was more irritated.

"Amaa pehle jab gussa unki naak pe rehta tha, toh ek hum hii thay, unke gusse ka shikaar. Kam se kam issi bahane humse baatein toh karti thi, gusse mein hii sahi. Ab zara dekho ! Ab toh hamare nazron ke saamne bhi badi mushkil se aati hai, baatein karna toh door ki baat hai. Aur tum keh rahe ho humein khush hona chahiye ?" he said throwing bloodshot eyes at him.

"Miyan raat ko toh Bhabhijaan tumhare paas hii hoti hai na, tab toh unka waqt tumhare liye hii hai na ? Ab itne mein hii khush rehna seekho Miyan !" teased Zaroon.

After spending the night in his bedroom on their wedding, Razia had permanently shifted to Altunia's bedroom, without asking him to shift away. Reason behind this was Altunia's clever tactics of making her realize a simple thing that always pricked her

"Log kya kahenge ?"

One night she spends in her husband's room and the other nights apart. What would the servants think ? And it doesn't take long for news like these to spread because the servants will talk amongst themselves. What will the others think ?

"Arrey rehne do Zaroon Miyan, tum kya jaano tumhari Bhabhijaan hum par kitna zulm karti hai. Hum jitni bhi jaldi apna kaam khatam karke apne khwab gah mein iss umeed ke saath jaate hai ki kam se kam, ab unka waqt hamarey liye hai, Begum bade aaraamse ghode bech ke so rahi hoti hai" said Altunia infuriatingly.

"Uff Miyan thoda waqt de do unhe" said Zaroon trying to calm him down.

"Bas bohot ho gaya ab" Taking a deep breath he continued "Hamarey ghode ko tayyar rakho bahar, sirf hamarey ghode ko, Begum Sahiba ka nahi" he said quickly, and stormed past Zaroon in a hurry.

Sensing what he is upto, Zaroon went after him, walking fast, trying to catch up with Altunia's pace

"Rukko Miyan ! Kahan jaa rahe ho ? Wahan mat jaao ! Wahan sab aurtein baithi hai, Bhabhijaan masroof hai" he said grabbing Altunia's arm.

Altunia stopped and turned around, furious.

"Yeh Mahal kiska hai ??"

"Miyan...aapka ..!" said Zaroon nervously

"Begum kiski hai ??" he asked

"Aapki hai Miyan !" he replied

"Toh phir jo humne kaha hai woh bina waqt zaya kiye jaldi karo !" he said angrily, turning again and walking fast towards the Deewan-e-Aam.

Razia was busy chatting with the ladies, when she suddenly stopped mid-way as she saw Altunia storm inside the Deewan-e-Aam. She frowned slightly and marks of deep confusion appeared on her forehead.

The ladies suddenly broke into whispers, and some of them clutched their pallus on their heads, hiding their faces a little and looking down. Altunia neither cared about Razia's frowns nor felt guilty about the ladies becoming uncomfortable at his sudden presence. He did not stop walking until he reached where Razia was sitting. He bent down towards her, holding the support of the handle of the Diwan on which she sat, bringing his face on level and very close to hers.

Razia was bewildered. She could see the fire in his green eyes. It took her seconds to realize that he is furious about something. At the same time she felt oddly shy and uncomfortable seeing his face so close to hers, and a bit annoyed for barging in mannerlessly. Numerous questions were buzzing around her mind.

Before she could even open her mouth to speak, Altunia spoke in a very urgent and dangerous whisper,

"Hum dono ko abhi aur issi waqt yahan se jaana hoga, ek bohot zaroori kaam hai."

"Aap yeh kya..." She tried to protest softly but he pressed his finger on her lips, silencing her and stared intensely, directly into her brown eyes.

At this action of his, the ladies broke into silent giggles, some of them nudging each other and signaling with their eyes to look at the two of them. Their giggles could be heard very clearly by the two of them, but Altunia did not stop what he was doing, he continued staring into her eyes intensely without even changing his expressions.

Razia on the other hand felt both shy and embarrassed. She tried to move her lips to protest again, but failed miserably as he tightened his finger on her lips and whispered,

"Waqt nahi hai hamare paas."

He removed his finger from her lips and grabbed her hand and straightened himself up, pulling her and walking.

Razia was forced to budge from the Diwan, tripping as she got up, grabbed his hand with her free hand for support and pulled him back "Arrey magar hum inn sabko iss tarah kaise chodke jaa sakte hai, yeh sab badi umeedein lekar aayi hai hamarey paas." She protested loudly and helplessly.

Altunia stopped walking and took a deep breath, annoyed. "Fathima !" he called out loudly. He turned his head towards a baandhi and ordered her "Fathima ko bulake laao, abhi, jaldi !"

She wasted no time and bowed her head to him and scurried off. Altunia stood there furiously as he tightened his grip on Razia's hand out of frustration of waiting, his back turned on her. Some of the ladies looked at them with shocked expressions now, while some looked confused.

Razia looked at them with apologetic eyes, at the same time figured out immediately why he had called for Fathima.

Fathima arrived quickly, and Altunia spoke in a firm authoritative tone, authenticating Razia's thoughts. "Aaj inn sab ki maddat karne ki zimmedaari tumhari hai, dhyaan rahe, inn sabki ek-ek pareshaani ko theek se hal karke hii inhe wapas bhejna. Iske liye jiski bhi zarurat padey, Zaroon se keh dena."

"Magar Subedaar Sahab..." Razia tried to protest again.

Altunia turned his bloodshot eyes towards her and pulled her close. "Aap chalti hai yaa hum aapko sabke saamne se utha kar lekar jaaye ?" he asked dangerously.

Hearing this, the hall broke into giggles again. Fathima also twitched her lips trying to control her laughter.

Razia was looking at him nervously.

"Aap chale jaayiye Begum Sahiba, lagta hai kaam bohot zaroori hai." Said one of them, trying to control her giggles. Both of them broke their eye lock and looked at the lady. Altunia smiled at her while Razia looked at her apologetically.

"Haan Shehzaadi aap jaayiye, hum yahan sambhal lenge" assured Fathima, looking at her then at Altunia's desperate face.

Altunia began pulling her again and walked. "Hum jaldi wapas aajayenge ...humein muaaf..." Before she could finish, she was already dragged out of the Deewan-e-Aam.

Razia could not understand this behavior of his. As she was being dragged, a dozen questions surrounded her mind but she couldn't decide which one to ask first.

She could not hold it anymore. Amid the vigorous drags, she burst out in irritation "Kya kar rahe hai aap ? Kahan lekar jaa rahe hai humein ? Yeh bhi koi tareeka hai ? Yun hii sabke saamne ??"

He neither replied nor turned back, just continued to pull her. This silence annoyed Razia more. "Mirz...Subedaar Sahab !" she corrected herself hastily and continued, "Hum pooch rahe hai kii aap humein kahan lekar jaa rahe hai." They were outdoors now, almost reaching Altunia's white horse. He still paid no heed to her queries.

"SUBEDAR SAHAB !!!!" she yelled furiously, and jerked her hand free with all the energy she had. "Nikah hua hai hamara, Begum hai hum aapki !! Humara poora haq banta hai yeh jaanne ke liye ki hamarey Shauhar humein aakhir kahan aur kyun lekar jaa rahe hai !!!"

Although the fire did not leave Altunia's eyes, he couldn't help but smirk. He turned to look at her and said with his eyes spitting fire and mouth forming a thin smirk "Accha ! Aapko yaad hai ki hamara Nikah hua hai ? Waise toh baat karne ki fursat bhi nahi hai apne Shauhar ke saath, aur aaj Begum hone ka haq jata rahi hai ?"

Razia stared at him in both anger and confusion now. Altunia on the other hand immediately regretted what he said and quickly turned his face around and shut his eyes tight and scolded himself from inside for almost spilling the beans of the real reason of his anger towards her which could in turn lead to his plan being foiled.

"Kya Mirza ! Soch samajh ke jawab do warna yeh mauka gaya haath se"

He turned his face back to her and said sternly "Waqt bohot kam hai hamare paas, phir bolna nahi ki humne aapko iss kaam ke baare mein bataya kyun nahi aur woh sab. Ab jaldi chaliye, aapko raaste mein sab batate hai."

She stared at him for a few seconds. He turned around and was about to climb on his horse when she said loudly again "Magar hamara ghoda kahan hai ? Yahan par toh sirf aapka hai."

Altunia paused for a few seconds and then without answering her or turning back at her, he climbed on his horse. After which he said a bit scornfully, "Naha raha hai woh ! Ab chaliye !"

Razia was bewildered "Kya ?? Naha raha hai ? Woh bhi iss waqt ?? Subah kisine usko nehlaya nahi tha kya ?"

"Tafree pe nikal gaya tha woh. Bilkul maila (dirty) hoke lauta hai. Usko shayad kisine theek se baandha nahi hoga." He said irritably

Razia remained silent, still a bit shocked and confused.

Eyeing at her, Altunia taunted "Bilkul aap pe gaya hai. Kisiki sunta nahi hai, apni mann marzi karta hai, tabhi toh aapka ghoda hai."

She frowned. He wanted to laugh but continued sternly "Ab jaldi chaliye. Bade sawaal poochti rehti hai aap ! Chaliye !" he said holding his hand out to her.

She took his hand and climbed on the horse, sitting in front of him. Having her so close suddenly, his hands brushing her waist, and the sweet scent of her hair and aroma of her body, sent jitters all over Altunia. It took a lot of energy and mind control for him, not to not wrap his hands around her waist and crush her in a back hug. He shook the lagaam of the horse ordering him to start moving.

The first few minutes passed in silence. Only the sound of galloping of Altunia's horse could be heard. There was a cold wind blowing on their faces, Razia looked up at the sky every now and then. There were grey clouds forming. The evening sun could not be seen anymore, it was getting darker faster, this means...

"Subedar Sahab !" she said at last breaking the silence, "Lagta hai barsaat hone wali hai, aur woh bhi badey zoron se."

Altunia smirked from behind. But of course he already knew that ! His prediction of a downpour had been made exactly at the same moment when he decided to get Razia out of the palace with him. The rain would help to keep his plan on track.

"Humein jaldi lautna hoga, nahi toh barsaat mein phass jayenge aur shaam bhi dhalne wali hai." She said, full of worry.

"Yehi toh hum chahate hai Mohtarma, tabhi toh aapko aisi barsaat wali shaam mein bahar lekar aaye hai"

He had no idea how he would face her wrath and worries later when they would actually get stuck in the rains. All he cared about was how to get her to spend some time with him. He knew this would never be possible if they returned to the palace as she always had ready made excuses to run away from him. He kept thinking hard. His plan was very sudden, he had only focused on getting her out. How he would manage to keep her out he was still working on that. Her chanting of "lets go back quickly" had already started. It was only going to increase.

Razia had started huddling herself and rubbing her palms. She felt cold. Altunia kept his thoughts aside for a while and stared at her as she tried to warm herself in vain. The fast movement of his horse only made the wind colder for her. Unconsciously he closed in to her, wrapping his arms slightly around her, almost like a back hug, trying to make her feel warm. Altunia's warm touch made her shiver in nervousness suddenly. Although it made her feel better, she was getting uncomfortable butterflies in her stomach. She frowned and turn to look at him, scolding him by her face expressions for his audacity. Their face was close. She noticed his eyes had become affectionate as he looked directly into hers, completely lost in the moment. For a few brief seconds her expressions had also changed as she looked back into his deep green eyes. She then broke her trance as the key question came back to her mind,

"Hum kahan jaa rahe hai ?" she asked firmly.

"Kahin nahi" he replied blankly, still lost in staring at her.

She frowned and asked again, "Kis kaam ke liye jaa rahe hai ?"

"Pata nahi" he said blankly again.

This time Razia's eyes became blood shot, which made Altunia snap out of his trance. "Err...woh hum..." he stammered and then deep breath and made his tone stern "Phir pooch rahi hai, humse yun sawal na karey hamara dhyaan bhatak raha hai."

"ARREY !" yelled Razia on his face "Aap bata kyun nahi rahe hai, aap hii ne kaha tha ki raaste mein batayenge. Kam se kam itna toh bata dijiye ki kis zaroori kaam se jaa rahe hai, issi bahane humein kaam ko jaldi khatam karne ke liye sochna ka thoda waqt mil jayega."

The word "jaldi khatam" stung Altunia's ears. All she was bothered about going back quickly. He stared back at her with his lips forming a sly smirk as he knew exactly what to say, to shut her up for sometime until he decides where to actually take her. "Agar aap chup nahin baithi toh humein aur bhi tareeke aate hai aapko chup karane ke liye" he said bringing his face closer to hers, and staring slyly at her lips.

Razia quickly turned her face in the front with a fright before he could go any further. Altunia chuckled from behind.

"Ghabraiye mat !" he said sensing her nervousness, "Iss waqt hamara dhyan sirf hamari manzil par hai. Baaki cheezon ke liye aap waise bhi ijazat nahi dengi" he smirked heavily as he closed his arms again around her, "Magar iska yeh matlab nahi hum aapko chup karane ki khaatir zabardasti nahi kar sakte, isiliye aap chup baithengi toh aap hii ke liye accha hoga" he finished.

Smiling slightly, he brought his thoughts back on where to take her. He had already half decided on a place, but that place wasn't far from the palace. If it did rain, it wouldn't be difficult to get back.

Razia's thoughts were pondering on every possibility of which place and what work could it be with more emphasis on how much time would it take to return back. It was getting darker and darker. The grey clouds were turning black. The wind had got stronger and colder. Her anxiousness increased as the time passed away.

Finally, after what it seemed like ages to her, Altunia pulled the lagaam of his horse and stopped. She was so lost in her thoughts that she wasn't even looking where they were going. She snapped out of her thoughts as she heard the sound of heavy water gushing downwards and looked up. Her jaws dropped, eyes popped with full shock. They were at a huge waterfall, the most beautiful of its kind Razia had ever seen. There was greenery all round. The sound of the heavy waterfall was soothing to her ears. The smell of the semi-wet mud due to the waterfall's water droplets was heavenly. She stared and stared without blinking her eyes, unable to grasp so much beauty at one time.

Altunia sensed she was mesmerized and lost, this made him grin. He dared not to step down from the horse, for he feared that the time was not far when she would snap out of her awestruck mood and come back to reality and realize her had tricked her in getting her out of the Palace with him. And if she was left alone with the horse, there was a big possibility she would run away with the horse leaving him behind, punishing him for his gustakhi, foiling his plans.

He saw her move suddenly, getting down from the horse and going forwards near the waterfall, stopping and looking at it intensely, full of awe. He stared at her for a few seconds and then wasted no time in getting down making as less sound as possible, fearing to break her trance. He had very little time. He whispered in his horse's ears "Chup chaap yahan se chalo jaao, barsaat bhi aane wali hai, jitna door ho sake chale jaao, hamari Begum aapko dhoond na paaye"

Having said that he kissed his horse and gave it a slight pat and push. He turned around and tip toed towards Razia, fearing the sound might disturb her. But that didn't take long, he had reached just right behind her when the sound of thunders started, breaking her trance. She jerked her head suddenly and looked up, droplets fell on her face. She turned quickly and was a bit surprised to see him right behind her, very close. She narrowed her eyes at him dangerously, really very angry.

"Aap jaan-boojh kar humein Mahal se bahar lekar aaye ?...Kyun !!!"

"Haan toh aur kya kartey ?" he answered in a high pitched, irritated voice, "Aapke paas waqt kahan hai hamare liye ! Jab dekho hum se door bhaagti rehti hai...do baatein karne ke liye bhi fursat nahi hai. Aap par sabse pehla aur zyada haq sirf hamara hai ! Samjhi aap ?" he finished dangerously.

Razia was thunderstruck when she heard this. This man is crazy ! All this, just because I wasn't giving him my time ??

The rain had started falling harder. She felt colder than ever. Her clothes were already half wet. They were getting soaked now. Altunia's clothes were getting soaked faster, although he felt oddly pleasant and something just took his breath away. The sight of a half soaked and angry Razia rushed a blaze of desires through him. He felt as though a monster had just taken birth inside his chest making way to his brains, taking control of him to stop thinking straight.

She was fully soaked now, and he suddenly noticed the droplets on her lips. He was fighting a huge battle inside to crush the urge to hold her tight and dig his nails in her shoulder and pull her close and kiss the droplets away. The monster in his chest purred. He could hear Razia half screaming but that hardly mattered to him now.

"Arrey aisa bhi koi karta hai aur upar se barsaat ..." She stopped suddenly as Altunia slowly began to walk towards her, his face seductive, his green eyes full of fire, the fire of an unknown desire.

She moved backwards with the same pace as he closed in "Aap yeh..." she began but couldn't complete her sentence as she had reached the edge and was about to fall of when suddenly she felt a tight grip on her right hand. She had shut her eyes tight in fear, her hair was swinging, felt the rain drops harder on her face. She tightened her grip on his hand as he pulled her back to him.

As she slowly opened her eyes, Altnunia's mind sparked with a crazy idea at that very same moment. He had been below this waterfall before. Off course, the route was different and long. It would be shortened to just a few minutes had he jumped into the waterfall, but that would be a very crazy thing to do right ? But maybe, this time this crazy idea would strengthen his plan.

What would it cost him ? They were already wet. So just a more wet and cold couple ? No problem, he was aware of a few empty sheds where they could spend sometime...until morning. There were more questions surrounding his mind. She wasn't a good swimmer. That was one thing he could not manage to teach her properly. She was an expert warrior, rather he made her one, but she lacked the swimming talent. He had noticed the currents of the water the moment they had arrived, and the heavy rain made it worse. This means...

"I have to push her in along with myself, I cannot afford to lose her once we are in the water"

To be continued ...😳

P.S - Guys wapas se BIG WALA SORRY for not giving your much awaited night update here. That part is still under construction. This chapter was getting wayyy too long so I decided to split it...Dont worry that update will come soon enough...😉😳

Also sorry for the grammatical and spelling errors