Satranga Ishq

vi.

The imperial map lay spread out on the ornate table, surrounded by high-ranking officials and the emperor himself.

Faiz, being an expert military strategist, pointed a stern finger at the eastern borders, " Humein is pehlu par apni difai waza mazboot karni hongi. " his voice laced with gravity, " Mukhbar ke mutabik, agar  dushman hamla karna chahe, toh woh humare sarhadi ilaaqon mein pahadiyon ke rastey se hamla karne ki koshish karega. "

One of the officials, a skeptical look etched on his face, spoke up," Lekin, Sultan, yeh pahadi silsila ek badi rukawat hain. Dushman ka iss zamin par chalna bohut mushkil hoga. "

His gaze never wavered from the map, " Chhoti pe puhuchne se pehle toh haan. Lekin, jab woh chhoti par pahunch jayenge, tab faida unke haq mein chala jayega. Humare teer-andaaz, neeche tainat, upar se hamla karne wale dushman ke khilaf ghair muassar ho jayenge. Buland zamin unhein bina rokein nazar aane ki ijazat degi, jisse woh humare sipahiyon par teeron aur baaki hathiyaaron ki baarish kar sakenge. Aur yeh, humare liye accha nahin hoga. "

The chief commander's expression turned contemplative, his eyes narrowing as he studied the map, " Janaab, aap mashriq ki taraf hamari difai waza ko mazboot karne ki salah de rahein hain, iss mushkil zamin ke bawajood? "

Faiz nodded resolutely, " Yeh behad zaroori hain ke hum dushman ko bulandi par qabza karne se rokein. Waqt bohut ahem hain, har lamha jo hum taakhir karte hain, dushman ko upar haath haasil karne ka mauka deta hain. "

The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. The emperor's gaze swept across his advisors, seeking consensus. After a moment, everyone nodded in agreement.

" Bohut khoob. Sikander, humare sipahiyon ko mutaharik karein aur mashriqi sarhadon ki hifazat yaqeeni banayein. Hum dushman ki azm ko kam nahin samjhenge. "

The meeting finally adjourned after several hours, and the officials and commanders began to disperse to their respective chambers.

Faiz, too, was about to retire to his room when Priyambada suddenly darted towards him, her feet pounding the floor with an infectious energy.

Her eyes sparkled with a childlike joy as she halted before him, her chest heaving slightly as she struggled to catch her breath.

" Dimaagi halat thik hain? " he asked.

" Aapne bataya kyun nahin ki bageeche mein khargosh bhi hain? " she inquired, her gaze sparkling with curiosity.

" Ammi ko jaanwaro ka khayal rakhna pasand hain. Unhe paalne ka shauq rakhti hain. Aap bhi toh uski hi ek misaal hain? " the last part was muttered under his breath, barely audible.

Priyambada's eyes locked onto his, her face set in a determined expression, " Aapko koi duvidha toh nahin hogi na, agar hum unke saath khele toh? Vachan dete hain, dhyaan se rakhenge unhein. " she pinched her throat.

Faiz's face remained impassive, but a faint smile threatened to break through noticing her cute actions. He nodded curtly, his expression a mask of stoicism.

Her face lit up with a radiant smile as she skipped away, feet seeming to dance across the floor. She disappeared into the gardens, eager to play with the rabbits.

•

As Priyambada sat amidst the lush gardens, the rabbits frolicked and leaped around her, seemingly enthralled by her presence. She gently set aside her dupatta and leaned in, mesmerized by their gentle chirps and twitching whiskers.