𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑, 𝐅𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃

CHAPTER ➌ • The Three Musketeers

Eastern Times was the only Pan-Islamic newspaper which started around 1930s, however due to falling of shares and new British Print Media, it lost it's audience. Now it was only active in Western Punjab and some areas of Sindh. Khans being the prominent figure in Lahore had a great influence over the local print media of the area. They controlled the news and even manipulated the data shared on prints.

"I did the investigation Sardar, it seems those men were sent by Mallicks." Parthav replied nervously as he knew the mere mention of them makes his maalik uneasy.

"Mallicks men crossed my territory, they were roaming freely near my Village godown , planning god knows what..all this under my nose, and you didn't even get a trace of it. Weren't you paying heed ?" asked Murtasim. The disappointment was visible on his face.

Witnessing Murtasim's changed demeanour, Anwar Intervened and asked, " Who is that lady in the photograph ?"

"Her name is Shabnam Jaan, a courtsen in Bazaar.." replied Parthav.

"Our Bazaar..?" asked Anwar shocked. Parthav nodded in affirmation.

"Promote that courtsen to Shahi Mohallah. I would like to meet her." Murtasim instructed with an inquisitive accentuation. (Flashback End)

"Jawab do. Aur humse ab jhooth bolne ki gustakhi mat karna." Khan Murtasim roared sliding out his buck knife from his leather boots. (Answer me. And don't you dare to lie).

"Azaadi ka wada. Izzat ka wada. Ek aam zindagi ka wada" Shabnam replied trembling.
(Promise of independence, respect and a normal life)

"Kya kharabi hai iss zindagi mein..Kya yahan koi takleef thi..; Yahan tum mehfooz nahi thi..; Aur kaun nahi karta tha tumhari izzat..; Tum Shahi Mohalley ki ho, aur pure Lahore ko pata hai Bazaar kiska hai." Proclaimed Khan Murtasim pensively, trying to read between the lines of Shabnam.
(What is wrong in this life..do you have any issue here..; aren't you safe here..;and who doesn't respect you.. you are from shahi mohallah and whole Lahore knows who is the owner of Bazaar)

"Ye Zindagi nahi chahiye thi Khan. Mujhe apne ghar wapas jana hai. Mujhe Lucknow wapas jana hai. Bantware ke baad kabhi nahi ja paungi." Tears welled up in the corner of her eyes, while she remembered her childhood, her life in Lucknow before she was sold to a brothel of a local royal family and later on moved to Lahore. ( I didn't want this life Khan. I wish to go to my home Lucknow. After partition this wouldn't be possible)

"Tumhe sach bolne ka ek mauka diya tha. Ye sach tumhara nahi hai." Murtasim countered visibly pissed. (You were given one last chance to speak the truth. This isn't your truth)

He continued stating facts of her actions of last 3 months. Shabnam has been visiting Mallicks once in every week. She has one more partner of action. Her partner has been stealing the production and manufacturing estimates of Khan Factories and Shabnam was providing the raw data to Mallicks. It was clear that all of them had some ulterior motive. Shabnam had some other motive. A good life was just a facade. Everyone knew that, if a courtesan comes under the protection of Khans, her life is secured.

"Mujhse ye wada kiya gaya hai, ki agar main Khano ke Sardar ko maar du toh mujhe batware ke baad uss taraf ek achi zindagi jeene milegi. Mujhe ye sab nahi karna padega." Shabnam spoke finally quivering. (I was promised a good life after partition, if i kill the Sardar of Khans. )

"Tum hi kyu..? " A confused Murtasim asked.
He could comprehend, that his people can easily be manipulated and Shabnam being an example of it.(Why you)

"Kyunki ye sab jaante hain...ki.., ki aap kitne bade ayyash hain." Shabnam replied almost mortified.(Because everyone knows about your debauchery)