Romance The Pathan Mercenary

[Ananya Nanda]

Pushpavati was coming out from the temple. Clad in a velvet saree she resembled the famous angels. She was much grown for a 20 year old woman. But she wasn't old. She was mature. She had raven black hair that kissed her slender curvaceous waist, she had a milky complexion, her face radiated with passion, she had long eye lashes & brown eyes. Her lip resembled the charming petals of lotus. She was the embodiment of charm, elegance & delicacy.

She was an enchantress. She was a seductress. It seemed as if the Goddess herself had came out of the temple. Sher Khan was spellbound by her smell as she passed by. She smelled of sandalwood, rose & honey.

Sher Khan heard one of the guards saying, "Pushpabai sings like the Goddess herself."

He nodded in agreement. Sher Khan was mesmerized by the princess in the twilight. She was the one that had orchestrated such wonderful melody. A flame of desire was kindled in the heart of the sturdy Pathan. The womaniser in him had awaken after a long hibernation. He resolved to seduce the enchantress.

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The 500 soldiers of Sher Khan arrived two days later. Soon Sher Khan became busy in the preparation of the upcoming siege.

He repaired a huge section of the fort walls & ordered heavy fortification. He ordered digging of ditches around the fort. He also ordered three hundred 240 mm caliber cannons from a cannon maker in Patiala, Punjab. He focused on heavy training for the entire army of Devipur. Provisions for a year was secured. It was now time to wait for the enemy to show up.

The total force of Devipur was 5000 infantry, 2000 cavalry & 200 musketeers. Sher Khan kept his 500 soldiers reserved. The plan was that they would accompany him in a daring raid during the battle to the enemy camp & kill the Chief Commander of the enemy forces thus ensuing chaos & confusion in the enemy camp thus routing the entire enemy army.

In the meantime, the Pathan warrior made the task of socializing with Pushpavati his top most priority. The opportunity came in a rather horrid manner.

One night it was reported that the old Zamindar was in a very bad condition. All the ministers & his daughter hurried to his chamber. Sher Khan too left for the Zamindar's chamber.

The Zamindar was lying in his bed. He was suffering from serious asthma & had trouble in breathing.

He somehow spoke, "Where is the Pathan? Call him! I have very few moments left, fetch him!"

Sher Khan went forward & stood in front of him. Pushpavati was sitting beside the Zamindar holding the dying patriarch's hands. The eyes of the Pathan & the princess met for a second before Pushpavati hurriedly looked down. Even in the dying light of the lantern Sher Khan could see that the princess was blushing.

The Zamindar spoke, "Pathan! I am counting my last moments. It's a horrible thing. I won't be able to see the battle. I just want one promise from you Pathan."

Sher Khan replied, "What do you ask for Zamindar?"

"Don't let my Zamindari fall Sher Khan. Defeat the Nawab's forces. And protect my widowed daughter! She's all I have left. Be her guardian angel Pathan. I entrust her fate & the fate of my estate in your hand. Do not disappoint me," said the Zamindar before he ran our of breath.

The breathing stopped. The Zamindar was dead. Pushpavati stood beside his corpse silently. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Sher Khan was silent for a moment. He closed his eyes & prayed to ,.' for the departed soul of the Zamindar.

He then said with a booming voice, "I, Sher Mohammed Khan swear by the holy book that no ill will fall on Devipur. I will defend the fort till my last drop of blood."

He then looked at Pushpavati & continued, "And I will protect your honor & life princess till my last breath."

Pushpavati now looked towards Sher Khan hesitatingly & said tenderly, "Thank you warrior."

Soon everyone left the chamber. The priests arrived to perform the last rites of the deceased Zamindar.