𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑, 𝐅𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃

CHAPTER ➒ • Fitoor Mera

August 18, 1947
Nokhar Hindu Colony
Lahore Province

6:00 AM

"The UNO Conference of 1947 has announced the cessation of Border for 2 months hence freezing the migration between the two countries; owing to the disturbances in the nearby areas of both sides of the border. Civilians are requested not to cross the border for the next 2 months. Stay wherever you are till the next announcement. Meanwhile, UNO requests the governmental agencies of both sides to sit together and resolve all the border disputes within the stipulated time. We strongly condemn the mass genocide, the world witnessed in the last week of post partition." The radios played the recorded version of UN speaker Paul Henri. It was clear that no open movement will be allowed in the coming 2 months.

Parthav stood nearby a shop puffing cigarette listening to the news.

"Allah.. ye kya tamasha hai, ab humein do mahino tak milke rehna hoga. " said the daily wage worker who was a regular customer of the small cabin shop situated at the entry point of Nokhar Hindu Colony.
(Oh god.. now we have to co habit with them for another 2 months)

"Milkar kyun rehna hoga..? Ab toh alag ho gaye. Wo apni jagah, hum apni jagah" replied the confused shopkeeper while addressing other customers.
(Why should we stay together. Now we are separated. We are at our place. They are at their place)

"Abhi bhi bohot log reh gaye hain.. jinko nahi hona chahiye tha" the watchman signalled towards Parthav, who was leaning at the corner of the bamboo fences.
(Even now a lot of them are left. Who should not have been here)

"Allah khair kare... dheere bolo bhai, ye humare Sardar ke khaas hain." the shopkeeper whispered trying to fizzle out the situation.
(God help. Don't be loud. He is very important to our Khan)

Human character is strongly sentimental, they tend to overjudge a situation without trying to understand the reason or waiting for the actual outcome. The cessation was the need of the hour. It will stop the ultimate mass murders that was going to take place in upcoming days. Parthav 's chain of thoughts broke when one of the bodyguards came running towards him calling his name.

"Sahab.,Sardar aapko yaad kar rahe hain... behad gusse mein hain." the guard looked scared and pale.
(Sir, Sardar is calling you, and is very angry)

Parthav immediately followed the guard towards Shashtri Niwas. The main door to the house was slightly ajar, as he opened it, he was horrified to witness the scene that played infront of his eyes.

Shashtri Niwas was burning... the flames coming from the room Nandani was kept captive and was starting to spread the adjacent corridors.

"Pani lekar aao..jaldi pani dalo.." Parthav yelled at the guards..and ran towards the room.
(Put water on it. Bring water)

"Sardar.. Sardar Khan are you alright.." Parthav entered the burning room.

Khan Murtasim stood there, in the middle, his eyes were fixed on the wooden burning cot. As the flames consumed the wooden object, his anger consumed him. His palpable rage and burning obsession couldn't be hidden.

*She left me.. again. Betrayal is in her blood. I should have known. She never really wished to stay with me. I should have never let her go in the past. Now she has a life without me. She knows a world without me. She isn't happy though... or what if she is..No..! Not letting her slip from my grip this time. Not until, I get my answers. Never again Nandani. You are here to stay*

" I have burnt the bed... And I will burn you alive too Parthav, if you don't find her before sun set. " Khan Murtasim was no longer in his senses, Parthav could forsee the self destruction which his Sardar could cause to himself in no time.