𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑, 𝐅𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃

CHAPTER ➌ • The Three Musketeers

August 14, 1947
Lahore Province
1 A.M.

" click.. click.. click.."

The revolver made a low clung sound as Shabnam pressed the trigger multiple times aiming at Khan Murtasim.

"Iski zarurat hai" said Murtasim, throwing the bullets towards her. (This is needed)

The 0.357 magnum covered with gold metal protector rolled on the marble white floor, diverted by the pillar and hence stopping at the lower stairs of the garden.

THE REVOLVER WAS EMPTY.

The realisation hit her. Shabnam clenched the Webley Revolver, resulting in faint red lines on her palm. She knew that this is going to be the end of her. She won't be able to go back to her people. Everyone knew ramification of betrayal with Khan Murtasim. She about to face one.

Fear started engulfing her very being, as Khan Murtasim started taking steps towards her. With every step taking backward, she could see her end coming nearer. Hitting the end corner of the open garden, she stopped.

"Kiska intezar kar rahe hain Khan, maar dijiye mujhe jaan se." she said masking her fear with a hint of intrepidity. (Who are you waiting for Khan, kill me.)

"Jaan se toh hum hi marenge tumhe Shabnam Jaan, pehle itna batao Mallikon ne tumhe aisa kya de diya jo tum humse gaddari kar baithi." Khan Murtasim asked with a grimace on his face.
( I will definitely kill you, but before that tell me what was offered to you by Singhs that you agreed to betray me)

•(FLASHBACK • START)•

3 Months Ago...

"The supply of opium has decreased by 30 % due to the partition news and the cost of transportation has doubled, since a majority of the population comprising Hindus and Sikhs will be migrating to that side and maximum Muslims will be entering this side. So, we will have to preserve the surplus amount in our godowns and wait till the Partition." said Parthav Shashtri rhetorically.

It was a warm evening of May 1947. The atmosphere in the study was light and all the three of them had planned to complete the first quarter's accounts by the end of the night.

Anwar Khan and Khan Murtasim were taking mental notes of everything that is being hypothesized by Parthav , while taking the sip of irani chai in their Classic Royal Albert Tea Cups being bought by Nadia Anwar Khan while her visit to Iran.

"Look,, Murtasim, these cups shine every time you pour hot tea in it." Anwar exclaimed.

"You are saying it to me, nth time now Chacha sahab." Murtasim replied exasperated.

"Why not..!! It is bought by my wife." replied Anwar with little consciousness.

"Ofcourse" chaffed Murtasim making Anwar laugh.

"Stop that..! Stop making that face." said Anwar with a smile.

"Chacha Sahab, save your love story for some other day." said Murtasim simpering.

" I hate to break this moment Sardar, but there is something we need to take care of." Parthav interrupted their banter drawing their attention to a photograph on the table.

It was a black and white single photograph. There were 3 people in that picture, but it was hard to determine who they were. By Seeing the photo it was clear that it had been taken from a distance. However, one thing was clear that it was taken near the Khan Godown.

Murtasim picked the photo and observed it closely. "If Eastern Times provided you with this photograph, didn't they let you know its significance to us." asked Murtasim in ambivalence looking at the stamp of the newspaper group at the extreme right corner of the photograph.