𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑, 𝐅𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃

CHAPTER ➊➌ • The Unwanted Guests

"Chale gaye.. aapne bataya nahi Eliza aane wali hai aaj" Dilawar looked visibly frustrated.
(Gone. You didn't inform him about Eliza)

"Mauka nahi mila bade sahab" Dai Amma replied nervously.
(Didn't get chance)

"Great... Now he doesn't even bother to meet you.. listen to you.. kya kehte thhe, Murtasim is more sensible than Mushtajab.." Ruqaiya taunted.

"And i still stand by my words.. Murtasim is way better than my own son Mushtajab. Ruqaiya, I know you are hurt, but you need to accept it." Dilawar caressed her shoulder while she sipped her tea.

"I will never accept him as our Sardar. One day, I will throw him out of this house. " Ruqaiya said before leaving the conversation incomplete.

"Ya Allah, kaise sambhalu main sabko" Dilawar sighed looking up at the vacant sky.
(Oh god, how will i manage everything)

"Maalik, woh Angrezi Madam aa gayi hain.. Sardar ko dhundh rahi hai.." one of the servants informed Dilawar.
(Sir, the English mam has reached. She is asking for Sardar)

"Aa gayi manhoos.. humare Khan ko koi isse bachaye.." Dai Amma mumbled collecting the tea pot.

"Dai Amma jaaye aur dekhe, Eliza ko koi takleef na ho... Tab tak main sardar Khan ka pata karta hun.." Dilawar wrapped his shawl and went towards the main gate.
(Dai Amma, go and take care of Eliza. Meanwhile i find Murtasim)

Dai Amma nodded and paced towards the main hall of the haveli. Eliza was already impatient without finding Murtasim. "Murtasim.. Murtasim... Where are you..!! " She called out.

Eliza Claude was what they called the dream, an aristocratic male would ever see. Beautiful, rich, well connected and cultured. A regency princess with dreamy eyes, fuller lips and rounded heavy hips-the sign of a healthy child bearer. She was everything for a royal English man. But it was Murtasim Khan who had tugged her heartstrings. The blonde beauty wouldn't settle for anything less. Her hourglass figure was a treat to watch in the Kitty Foyle dress, as she stood in the middle of the hall of Khan Haveli.

"Murtasim bhai isn't here... He went out for some work." Manaar informed Eliza.

"He didn't wait for me.. unacceptable. Murtasim would never do this." Eliza bawled.

"Bibiji, kya bol rahi hai ye.. " Dai Amma asked Manaar. (What is she saying)

"Bhai ke baare me puch rahi hai.." Manaar whispered tilting her head towards Dai Amma.
(She is asking for brother)

"Ashtaghfirullah... Ye kya pehna hai isne.. iske baaki ke kapde kahan hain.." Dai Amma scanned Eliza from top to bottom thrice in disbelief.
(Forgive god. What is she wearing. Where are her remaining clothes)

"Dai Amma relax.. England mein sabhi aise hi pehente hain.." Manaar tried to sober her.
(People wear clothes like this in England)

"Tauba Tauba.. aadhe kapde.. bibiji ye shawl pakdo, isko Sardar ke saamne dhak dena.. humare Sardar Khan itne masoom hain.. pata nahi ye karde.." Dai Amma was concerned and alert of Eliza's true intentions for Murtasim.
(Half clothes. Madam take my shawl and wrap around her when infront of sardar. Our sardar is so innocent. We don't know what she wants)

"Masoom.. ofcourse " Manaar rolled her eyes, and looked towards Eliza, whose eyes wandered everywhere. "Eliza.. why don't you take some rest. By the time you wake up fresh.. Bhai would return." Manaar guided Eliza towards the guest room.

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August 31, 1947
Anglican Cathedral Missionary Hospital
Lahore Province