𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑, 𝐅𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃

CHAPTER ➋ • Bazaar

August 13, 1947

Shahi Mohallah
Lahore Province

People in Bazaar were running from pillar to post in arranging the best of everything. Earlier that noon, messenger came with the confirmation that their Sardar Khan Murtasim Khan will be spending his time in Shahi Mohallah. The mohallah was decorated with diyas and colourful candles. Women were busy making rangolis. Young girls were busy making Jasmine gajra, as their Khan loved Jasmine a little too much. The shops were reopend with eateries and desi daru. The roads were washed that noon and velvety carpets were spread. Old curtains were replaced with new red ones. Tonight's bazaar looked no less than a newly wed bride, in it's full glory waiting for their Khan's arrival.

"Koi jakar dekho Shabnam taiyar hui ki nahi, Khan ko intezar karna pasand nahi." (Somebody go and check, if Shabnam is ready or not, Khan doesn't like to wait.), said Gangubai also known as 'Mai' of Shahi Mohallah.

Gangubai was a middle aged woman ( around 53) who had lived in Shahi Mohallah since she was a child sold to the Khans and had devoted her life in serving the men of Khan family. She was later made the head and the care taker of Bazaar and the women who came here lived under her guidance and Khan family's protection.

"Main taiyaar hun Mai." (I am ready Mai) said Shabnam Jaan , standing on the balcony of the old white kotha house with a separate onion domb in every corner joint, wearing an orange Ghagra Choli, with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Haan samjh sakti hun, itni khush kyu hai tu aaj. Par yaad rahe apne hadh mein rehna, Khan ka gussa yahan sab jaante hain." Mai advised Shabnam. ( I know why you are so happy, but remember never to cross the line with Khan. Everyone knows about his anger here.)

"Uski chinta aap kare Mai aur baaki, main khaash hun. Pichle 3 mahine se Khan mere paas hi aate hain." said Shabnam. There was a strange sense of accomplishment in her tone. She was confident of her achievement. Her demeanour worried Mai.

Mai being the older one in the service knew how these Feudal families exploit these women. These Feudal Lords don't have a scant of emotion for anyone. The result of their service often roam in the streets of Bazaar, waiting to serve the next generation of lords. Some families even take the womb of these women to produce the heir, but still hate to accept these women in public.

"Sardar Khan ke kareeb jaane ka khwab chod do Shabnam Jaan, tum pehli nahi ho, tum akhri nahi hogi." warned Mai (Don't try to get close to Sardar khan, you aren't the first one, you won't be the last one.)

"SARDAR KHAN HAS ARRIVED..!!" announced the horn speaker attached to the thick bamboo stick dug into the ground, at the left boundary of the mithaai shop of Shyam Halwai. "Patakhe lekar aao." said the man who was given the responsibility to welcome.(Bring fire crackers)

Soon there were queues of people gathered at the main gate of Bazaar to welcome their Sardar. This visit is supposed to be different from others. It is not the first time Khan Murtasim Khan visited Bazaar. He infact is a very regular one. But this time he isn't the hubristic Feudal who came to spend his lonely night but their leader. Today, their protector has come.

The news of partition had shaken the whole Lahore and the people of Bazaar were not any exception. The Bazaar comprised of mixed ethnicity of underprivileged groups of people. It had Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Afghans. Although, The British Raaj had confirmed that people were free to choose sides, they couldn't succour the flared up uncertainty amongst the people especially the religious minorities. The sectorial and religious division was going to take place in less than 24 hours now, and the people of Bazaar needed assurance.