As sweet as 'Soanpapdi' by _gulmohar_

The village of Baradari was buzzing with excitement and joy. The festival of lights, Deepavali was around the corner and people here were preparing for the celebrations with zeal and enthusiasm. Everyone was delighted.

Yet, Inayat had found herself miserable since the day she had decided to leave everything behind in Awadh and come here to the outskirts, to her nanny Premlata's place.

Inayat Sahab was the general assistant to Begum Jamrut Mehal, the matriarch of the royal family of Awadh. Impressed by her honesty and values, Begum Sahiba had appointed Inayat as her assistant a few months ago when the latter came to her seeking a job opportunity. The hard-working and sincere person she was, Inayat had given everything to her job; her dedication, time and loyalty. She was earning enough to live and eat comfortably. Everything seemed in the right place until she crossed paths with Nawab-e-Awadh himself, the elder son of Jamrut Mehal. People knew him as a 'brilliant' and shrewd businessman, the one who owned the largest timber factories in the state. This flourished business of wooden furniture was his independent venture and he was called the perfect specimen of Indian Manhood. He exuded supreme confidence and magical charm and had women swooning at his feet.

However, Inayat's first meeting with him was anything but pleasant and cordial. After she had been asked to work at the factory as well, many times, during their interaction, she had cried bitterly at being subjected to his ruthlessness. She was still learning and Azhar had set tough tasks for her to complete. Amidst the repetitive scolding and hard reality checks by the man himself, Inayat had also felt his care towards her. How concerned he was about her health! How he was strictly against her working more than the fixed hours! How he never forgot to check on her during a sick leave! How he never forgot to ask whether she took her meals or not. He was not as rude as he appeared. He was kind enough to take care of the people around him without letting them know. But Inayat was an expert at observing subtle details.

A few days ago, according to their customs and traditions, the royal family had organised an auction of timber woods. This program was conducted for the welfare of the needy. The money collected in this event was supposed to be spent on arranging rations and other basic amenities for the needy.

That evening was different. Inayat was tired after a long day and wanted to rest but could not refuse the invitation to the Sham-e-Ghazal, a melodious event organised in the honour of guests. The lawn of the royal haveli was crowded, filled with people dressed in glittery attire. But still, all she could see was him. He was everywhere. At the stage, among the guests, at the dining area. His mighty frame stood apart in the crowd, the spherical patterns on his brown kurta and the linear designs on his silk shawl slowly etching themselves into her mind.

That night she had trouble sleeping. Her heart kept drowning in the tides of overwhelming emotions, the intention of which she could not decipher. Her mind kept replaying every event associated with Nawab-e-Awadh, Azhar Nawab. She felt fearful of what would happen next!

On days, she would stare at the stacks of ledger and bundle of files at her desk. She was lagging behind and not able to concentrate on her work. She was not herself these days and her thoughts circled Azhar Nawab until Azhar Nawab summoned her himself one day.

As soon as she entered his cabin, she was greeted with questions. He was roaring fiercely like a lion. His tone was bitter and harsh. Anger and vexation oozed out from his persona. What did she do to deserve it this time?

"Some days before I had taught you how to manage important files and tally the entries most efficiently. I also asked you to maintain the records more sincerely and pay more attention towards the data that needed to be entered concerning the employees at the factory. I also made you aware of the important event that was lined up for this month; i.e., the auction of the timber woods. Could you remember what I told you last week?"

"Sir, it was all about you reminding me of the significance of this auction and the fact that you would not entertain any mistakes in this process of work."

"Well, it seems that you do not pay attention to whatever I instruct you to do or you think I am your friend just like Basharat Nawab who would let you go even if you commit blunders."

"I am not getting you, Sir, and how come Basharat Nawab is involved here?"

"That is your special trait, Ms. Sahab. You never get important things and in critical situations, you refuse to use your brain. Well, now I doubt if you have one or not."

"Please stop beating around the bush."

"OK, if you say so. There is not even a single record that I could call flawless and devoid of mistakes. Your tally is incorrect. Your configuration regarding the quality of wood is poor. Your estimate of the total number of people present at the party was wrong again. The demand-supply chain that you have provided recently is not up to the mark, it demands improvement. Your assessment of the yield of wood in this financial year is anything but correct. And the list does not end here. Your work is poor and flawed, just the opposite of what I demand from my employees."

"I accept my mistake, sir. I agree I was not in my best space recently. I will rectify."

"These are petty excuses, Ms. Sahab. I don't think this justifies the loss we could have encountered if Munshi Ji had not pointed out these fallacies and huge blunders. You are a professional failure and an incompetent employee. I don't know what Badi Sarkar sees in you. You are not capable of holding this prestigious and hectic post. It is better if you opt for some simple tasks like feeding the birds, painting, donning glamorous attire and visiting weddings...

This was it. Inayat had enough of him. She did not wait for him to finish and ran out of the room, closing the door forcefully, thus creating an impact. She had tried to hold on to her professionalism till the last moment but he had crossed his limit and was now shattering her honour. His words pierced her heart, like a sharp bullet. The moral damage had been incurred. Her head became heavy as she walked through the long hallway. As she reached her quarters, acts of the entire day dawned on her. Her professional blunders and Azhar's ill-treatment had already pushed her confidence into the abyss of agony. She looked at herself in the mirror. At that particular moment, Inayat's final pieces of strength fell apart and small sobs left her quivering lips. Her eyes bled an ocean until she lost herself in sleep on the velvety carpet. She could finally name her feelings. It was love and affection for a man who would not reciprocate it. How could he? He was the owner of the property she worked in. He was a royal. She was a commoner. It was an unsaid truth. This cruel realization provoked her to leave Awadh abruptly. It was a hasty decision. However, it was better for her mental peace. The next day, she was at the doorsteps of Premlata Bua, her childhood nanny, who had sheltered her since the day she (Inayat) had lost her parents.

•••

PRESENT

The first rays of the sun lightened up the earth announcing the auspicious occasion of Deepawali. The whole village was decked up. It had been a full week since Inayat was here and she had left no stone unturned to decorate Premlata Bua's small abode. She was busy making sweets for the day when she heard knocks at the door.

"Is this Premlata Devi's house?"

A loud, familiar, fleeting, manly voice struck through Inayat's ears and a shiver ran through her spine. This was beyond her imagination. This could not be. Maybe she was tired already and hallucinating.

She ran through the corridors that led to the main door and hid herself in the corner. Premlata Bua had already received the guest. There he was, shining in all his glory, gracing the humble adobe of the poor with his presence. However, his composure looked shaken, as his eyes roamed everywhere. Inayat lowered her gaze as her heart thudded at the reality of his arrival. What could have possibly brought him here?

•••

"The sweets are delicious, remind me of someone who cooks mouth-watering food."

" Inayat has made them, Sarkar. She tells me a lot about Awadh, Badi Sarkar and your factory."

"Yes, she is a hard-working and sincere employee. But where is she?"

"She is occupied with the festive preparations. I have no child of my own but her presence doesn't let me feel so. Pardon me, but what brings you here?"

"I was out for some land inspection here, when I came to know about your residence and thought to visit you on this sacred occasion. I have brought some presents as a token of respect. Please don't refuse them."

The warm and loud conversation in the baithak had drawn Inayat's attention to them, the dismantling of heavy boxes that probably carried a lot of goods, was clear to her ears. Azhar had always been generous when it came to charity. Samshad would have probably told him about her stay, she concluded.

•••

The night had fallen. The flames of diyas and sparkles of crackers illuminated the ambience. Premlata had served dinner to Azhar. He had insisted on dwelling in the house for celebration and been given Inayat's room for a night-long stay. Inayat, therefore was supposed to shift elsewhere.

She had tried her best to avail him comfort, in the humble ways she could-a glass full of jaggery milk, the best cotton mattress and the finest bedsheet that Premlata possessed.

Having made the arrangements, she was about to leave the room when she felt a soft hold on her hands, with less pressure.

No! She prayed to her God. She was not ready to face him. Not yet.

"It seems you don't want to meet me."

His voice was gentle, surprisingly. Inayat remained silent. She was anxious.

"I understand. After what all I have said in the rage and fury, it's very right of you to not spare a word."

"Please leave my hand. It's not appropriate if I stay in your proximity, on the darkest of nights. I don't want to be questioned."

" My mother needs you and has asked you to come back. You are undoubtedly an honest and virtuous person and your presence is required in Haveli. Badi Sarkar considers you her daughter and she is finding it difficult without you."

"Spare me some time to decide."

"If this looming uncertainty is because of my disgraceful behaviour that day, I seek your forgiveness. It was disgusting on my part to shatter your honour and pride."

"I don't wish to recall your statements."

"I will be here for three days because of the inspection. I won't force you but if you make up your mind to return, let me know and we will go together."

"This is a small present for you. Please accept it. I know nothing in this world can make up for my vile behaviour towards you. But this is a token of sincere apology. Samshad informed me about your great liking for Soanpapdi. So, I have brought them for you, prepared in ghee. I hope you like them."

The pitch of his voice was low, so low that Inayat had to stress her ears to listen. His words were strings of a soothing melody reflecting a sincere and genuine apology, a contrast to his usual tone. He appeared ashamed of what he had done earlier. She swirled to look at him, standing mere inches apart. He lowered his gaze and handed over a large box decorated with silk ribbon. The outline of his beautifully crafted face glowed in the dim light of the room. He let go of her hand and turned away. She too, held the box of sweets and stormed out of the room without caring to thank him. She couldn't. The sudden proximity, the close encounter, the soft touch, all of these had added to her nervousness, making butterflies flutter in her stomach.

As she crossed the alleyway, she opened the box and the fresh aroma of Soanpapdi wafted through her nose, making her smile. She loved these sweets since childhood. They reminded her of her 'abbu'. As she slept that night, she decided to think more about her return to Awadh. She had never thought of Azhar coming himself to apologize and escort her back. She was unaware, but that unexpected arrival and that delicious gift had rejuvenated her thus bringing back the light on her face.

•••