𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑, 𝐅𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃

CHAPTER ➊➏ • Sardar Slut Khan • Part : 1

September 4, 1947
Palan Khet
Lahore Province

4:45 A.M.

The day dawned crisp and clear. The light warm and bright seeped through the little cracks of the Lorry, as it reached the outskirts of Palan Khet. There was a pearly glow across the vast green fields blanketing the hilly terrains of the small hill town.

The hill town, which had a history of drift and animosity with Khans. The town which had almost killed Nandani. Her last visit was not something one could cherish, but was a memory of life time. Another one added in her lists of why she should have never returned, still Murtasim topping her list. His obsession had somehow managed to surpass the human boundations and was lethal but what astonished her the most was , his obsession fed on her absence. Her separation had made him more vulnarably obsessive. She was no longer his 'mohabbat' as he used to claim years ago; she was now his 'zid'- To never let her go.. to never let her be with someone else. Whether she likes it or not. He was no longer the Murtasim she had left 12 years ago, he was Sardar Khan - A Feudal Lord, with his own moral compass. Her Murtasim.. the soft Murtasim .. the loving and caring Murtasim...the scholar Murtasim...her best friend Murtasim...she needed her Murtasim at this moment of crisis.

"Khaani... Hum sabse aakhri mein jayenge.." Sister Martha called Nandani, breaking her trance of Murtasim's algothithemic thoughts.
(Khaani we will go at the end)

"Kyu.." Nandani asked looking confused.
(Why)

"You forgot the dead body.." Nurse Thomas whispered.

"Oh no.. I am not sure, if it's a good idea to hide it from him. As far as I know, he will eventually find out. Phir tum logon ka kuch nahi hoga.. mujhe wo nahi chorega.." Nandani bit ger nails while confirming her doubts.
(He won't do anything to you guys.. but he will not let me live)

"Khaani aap chinta na kare.. Sardar Khan will not come this early. He will visit probably at night... By the time we will get rid off this dead body." Sister Martha assured her.
(You don't worry)

Nandani nodded and waited for the others to vacate. There were three lorries parked near the grassland and people moved on the swampy path towards the allocated refugee rooms built with asbestos roof, especially for the homeless and destitutes. Yes they were homeless, for Nandani, she was nameless too. Nazma Begum, as they called her- Sardar Khan's lover and wife, as the cathedral churh and missionary staff knew. She stood there, looking at the people of Lahore, helpless,forced to move out of their homes...forced to take refuge. Lahore had changed, it was not the Lahore she used to live, it wasn't the Lahore she had spent her childhood. Just as Murtasim, her Lahore had different tone now.

"Mere Sapno Ka Lahore..." She sighed.
(Lahore of my dreams)

"Kya humare Sardar aayenge.." A young woman asked the Lorry driver.
(Will our Sardar come)

Dressed in red ghaghra and choli, with long braided black hair... Ruby looked divine. The perky breasts pleaded to come out of that deep cut choli. The sexy siren, moved around swaying her hips... There was a constant smile on her face. The smile irritated Nandani.

"Who is she..?" Nandani asked the Lorry driver.

"Woh... Ruby hai.. Bazaar ki hai. Sardar is khaas hai." Lorry driver gulped as soon as he looked at Nandani. "Humara matlab hai ki bazaar ki hai.." he said.
(She is Ruby from bazaar, one of Sardar khan's favourites)

"Aur tumhare Sardar ki khaas hai.. " Nandani completed the sentence looking visibly cross. This information had shattered her last hope to meet her friend Murtasim. The boy who had hated the concept of Bazaar and harem, had turned into the man who visited it.
(And your Sardar's special)