Sorry guys !! I'm late again .... So from now on, keep checking the blog, it WILL be updated either on Friday, Saturday or Sunday!!
Also, Coming Soon - The Character Map !! This will help you guys trace the different characters of Hazār Afsānah easily =D
Is it not uncanny that a woman's worth is measured by her ability to birth a son. Further more, what if she could not birth a child at all ?! Such was Khoja's dilemma. And thus was crushed Bahram's grand dream - to marry Khoja and have adorable Persian Baluchi children.
The Shah never forgave his brother. He knew that Bahram had played the right card at the right time to make sure Nadr lost Sati. But as is with any game of chance, luck can shine on anyone at any time. Years passed by with Nadr and Sati crossing paths in the corridor and not acknowledging each other. Khoja was furious with Nadr - how could he not fight for her. How could he leave her in the midst of this family dilemma and see her live with his brother every day as husband and wife ?! Was that how much Nadr loved Sati ?!
The Shah picked and chose his battles carefully. He knew that he could not have Sati. She was now Bahram's amânât. How do you put out an everlasting fire ? How do you stop an ever-present rain ? What would push back a permanent tidal wave ? How would the cracked earth come together again ? Nadr and Sati could never be together but their love could never be a closed chapter either. Through the purdahs and glances, Khoja still managed to steal a glimpse of the Shah and she knew this love shouldn't, couldn't and wouldn't die. Khoja knew of the Shah's passion for the Raqs Sharqi perfectionist - Maliheh. She did not like it one bit but how could she stop him. She wanted more than anything to share herself with him. But, how could she; she was married albeit unhappily.
Mali used to dance in the Shah's courtroom where everyone in the palace came together. Even the women would gather, their chadors wrapped tightly across their face and leaving their eyes uncovered to quench their thirst for freedom. Bahram was a loyal spectator. He loved the way Mali's hips swayed, it always made him spend the night with Fari (his fourth wife). After Mali's last performance, Bahram could hold it in no longer. He cornered her when she was on her way to change out of her seductive costume. He told her that he would guild her in gold for one night's acquaintance in his otagh (room). How fast does a sandstorm move ?! Mali spun on her heels probably faster and ran towards her changing room. Bahram was true to his blood, he must have what his heart desires. He ran behind her and latched the room shut.
There they stood, a look of triumph facing a look of aversion. The night was dark as it should be, but the moon was missing without an intimation. The trees swayed with vigour forced by the Wind God's fury. It seemed like something horrible would happen that night. And for Mali, it did. She had been in this profession for all her life but never had she been touched against her will. And here was the brother of her favourite man trying to unite with her soul against her will. By then it started raining angrily like the skies were crying because of the injustice. The night was long and painful and come sunshine, Mali was bleeding profusely and Bahram was nowhere to be found.
Mali stepped out of the otagh and limped her way to the kitchen in search for some food. At that moment, Khoja finished making Bahram's breakfast and stepped out of the kitchen. They locked eyes and Khoja knew that Mali had touched something that did not belong to herself. Mali hung her head in shame while Khoja searched her face for an inkling of an idea as to why Mali looked so haggard today. Within seconds, Khoja noticed a trail of blood on the floor. La! This was forbidden. She bellowed at Mali - "What have you done ? This is not meant to be seen by anyone but yourself. You have committed a sin and now .." Before Khoja could complete her words, Mali was on the floor unconscious. Khoja fell on the floor to lift Mali and check her health. At that moment, the Shah was on his way to his daily durbar. He ceased his pace. Was he hallucinating ? He saw blood, Mali on the floor and Khoja holding Mali's head. Had Khoja's love for the Shah driven her to kill Mali ?!?!?!?!
More next week my darlings....
Until then, Au Revoir.
Love,
S
Also, Coming Soon - The Character Map !! This will help you guys trace the different characters of Hazār Afsānah easily =D
Is it not uncanny that a woman's worth is measured by her ability to birth a son. Further more, what if she could not birth a child at all ?! Such was Khoja's dilemma. And thus was crushed Bahram's grand dream - to marry Khoja and have adorable Persian Baluchi children.
The Shah never forgave his brother. He knew that Bahram had played the right card at the right time to make sure Nadr lost Sati. But as is with any game of chance, luck can shine on anyone at any time. Years passed by with Nadr and Sati crossing paths in the corridor and not acknowledging each other. Khoja was furious with Nadr - how could he not fight for her. How could he leave her in the midst of this family dilemma and see her live with his brother every day as husband and wife ?! Was that how much Nadr loved Sati ?!
The Shah picked and chose his battles carefully. He knew that he could not have Sati. She was now Bahram's amânât. How do you put out an everlasting fire ? How do you stop an ever-present rain ? What would push back a permanent tidal wave ? How would the cracked earth come together again ? Nadr and Sati could never be together but their love could never be a closed chapter either. Through the purdahs and glances, Khoja still managed to steal a glimpse of the Shah and she knew this love shouldn't, couldn't and wouldn't die. Khoja knew of the Shah's passion for the Raqs Sharqi perfectionist - Maliheh. She did not like it one bit but how could she stop him. She wanted more than anything to share herself with him. But, how could she; she was married albeit unhappily.
Mali used to dance in the Shah's courtroom where everyone in the palace came together. Even the women would gather, their chadors wrapped tightly across their face and leaving their eyes uncovered to quench their thirst for freedom. Bahram was a loyal spectator. He loved the way Mali's hips swayed, it always made him spend the night with Fari (his fourth wife). After Mali's last performance, Bahram could hold it in no longer. He cornered her when she was on her way to change out of her seductive costume. He told her that he would guild her in gold for one night's acquaintance in his otagh (room). How fast does a sandstorm move ?! Mali spun on her heels probably faster and ran towards her changing room. Bahram was true to his blood, he must have what his heart desires. He ran behind her and latched the room shut.
There they stood, a look of triumph facing a look of aversion. The night was dark as it should be, but the moon was missing without an intimation. The trees swayed with vigour forced by the Wind God's fury. It seemed like something horrible would happen that night. And for Mali, it did. She had been in this profession for all her life but never had she been touched against her will. And here was the brother of her favourite man trying to unite with her soul against her will. By then it started raining angrily like the skies were crying because of the injustice. The night was long and painful and come sunshine, Mali was bleeding profusely and Bahram was nowhere to be found.
Mali stepped out of the otagh and limped her way to the kitchen in search for some food. At that moment, Khoja finished making Bahram's breakfast and stepped out of the kitchen. They locked eyes and Khoja knew that Mali had touched something that did not belong to herself. Mali hung her head in shame while Khoja searched her face for an inkling of an idea as to why Mali looked so haggard today. Within seconds, Khoja noticed a trail of blood on the floor. La! This was forbidden. She bellowed at Mali - "What have you done ? This is not meant to be seen by anyone but yourself. You have committed a sin and now .." Before Khoja could complete her words, Mali was on the floor unconscious. Khoja fell on the floor to lift Mali and check her health. At that moment, the Shah was on his way to his daily durbar. He ceased his pace. Was he hallucinating ? He saw blood, Mali on the floor and Khoja holding Mali's head. Had Khoja's love for the Shah driven her to kill Mali ?!?!?!?!
More next week my darlings....
Until then, Au Revoir.
Love,
S
Oh oh! So here the story starts getting complicated! Looking forward to this week :D
ReplyDeleteHi Arati,
ReplyDeleteI hope it is complicated in a nice way. Please do keep sharing your thoughts.
Love,
S.