Ghungru

His Arrival

Two days passed in a blink of a moment nd it seemed faster for Shana. She didn't wish to confront him, she didn't wish to let her curiosity win, maybe she didn't wish to have any distance between her and her Ali Sahab.

It was early in the morning, the whole palace was busy for the prince's arrival. Everyone were running from here to there.

It was a complete chaos but a chaos worth of. Shana was waiting for this day but she was nervous too. How will she face him? This thought invaded her mind. She tried her best not to keep thinking bout that thing.

A war between her heart and mind was going on. Her heart continuously telling- it's your Ali Sahab Shana, how can he do such an act?! While the mind was screaming to her- How much do you know him? They are the nawabs. Never ever expect them to be straight minded.

She was all immersed in her own thoughts when her thoughts got interrupted with a loud voice and heavy music. She almost got startled but somehow managed to follow that voice.

The princes were arriving with the victory in their fists. All the maids and other concubines crowded the terraces to see the gracious princes heading into the main palace.

Shana also went to her room's terrace. No one was there except her. "Finally he is here..." she whispered to herself while smiling softly as if thanking the heavens for his safety.

She constantly stared at that huge parade of soldiers bravely boasting their victory. But there was certain jump in her heart, it was the moment she spotted her Ali Sahab.

But at that moment, he wasn't her Ali Sahab but the crown prince, the future king, Shehzade Ali. Such a royal look on his face, a stern gaze with bloodlust in it. Though he was far away from her but still she could feel that coldness in his eyes.

"Is this the same coldness he had while doing that...?" She thought to herself and again got interrupted in her thoughts when Shehnuba came to call her.

She was calling her for lunch. Everyone was happy and carefree, preparing for the feast tonight. But Shana was tensed with her own thoughts.

In no time, the dark night embarrasses the sky but that darkness couldn't embrace the palace. The whole palace was lit with burning diyas, beautifully decorated. Dancers, musicians, cooks from far away lands came to entertain the royalties and the soldiers who bravely faught alongside them.

But all these brightness and lights couldn't enlighten Shana's mood. She was in her room facing backwards to her terrace. Simply looking into her silver mirror. As if she knew he'll come and she is waiting for him. For his arrival.

The moonlight was beautifully falling on her slender back which got blocked 'cause of someone's shadow. A thud sound came. But it didn't startle Shana.

"Did you miss me?" The same soft but husky voice echoed in the room. She turned around and her eyes met with the eyes she unknowingly longed to see.

"Ali Sahab..." she said in a low voice. Even before she could realise it, they both were softly smiling at each other. Looking deep into each other's eyes. Filling all the gaps, all the time that came between them 'cause of all these months.

Ali took few more steps and came near her. The coldness in his eyes were gone, the stiffness in his posture was relaxed. He was no more Shehzade Ali but her Ali Sahab.

"Welcome back" she whispered. And finally it was his arrival.

To be Continued...