Hazār Afsānah 3 - Only a Knife Knows What Goes On In The Heart Of A Pumpkin :)

Since I have been incessantly harassed about what happens next, here goes ...

Ziavash was the owner of the Harem and Mali's Koskesh (hustler). He always had a dear eye for Mali and was exhilarated on receiving the scroll. This meant killing two birds with one stone. Not only would this stir a deep malice in Mali for the Shah but also give the other concubines of his Harem a chance to win affluent customers. He went out onto Saadi street and bought new clothes and jewellery for all the women in his Harem.

Mali eyed the gown Zia bought for her carefully. It covered too much she thought. How would she steal the hearts of all the men present if she was covered from head to toe ? Out came the scissor and she cut off the arms of the gown, deepened the neck and back and shortened the hem of the skirt. This now looked like a Heart Stopper's gown.

The evening drew near and the Harem was a mad house of half dressed women running around in an effort to look their best. The palanquin bearers arrived and out poured the most beautiful women in Persia. Dressed in the finest grandeur and equipped with their most graceful charm, these ladies not only attracted glances from the men around but also the women who forgot how to hold the chador when they laid their eyes on them.

The Amphitheatre was laden with flowing white shamianas and shishas. Doogh (traditional Irani drink) and chelo kababs (rice and kebab) were the order of the day and everyone bustled around to satisfy their palates. The trumpets were sounded and in walked the Great Shah and his entourage. The music filled the air and it seemed like the birds sang in unison to welcome the great evening. The wind bellowed and the women walked onto the stage one by one to showcase their most anticipated moves. Hours went by in anticipation of Mali, the crowd started chanting her name and the Shah, himself, was now eagerly waiting to see his beloved.

All of a sudden the music came to a halt, there were three gunshots in the air and everyone looked around in trepidation. The sound of anklets graced the air and Mali glided onto the stage with coins studded on her hips. The music began with chimes and Mali stunned the audience with her rendition of Raqs Sharqi (belly dance). She swayed her hips for 45 minutes before coming to a halt. Out of nowhere she grabbed a chagoo (knife) and flung it into the air.

A loud shriek emerged from the crowd, the knife had ended someones life....

There will be more soon .. Keep reading :)

Love,
S.