THE COLONIAL VEIL
Prologue
Author
WARNING ⚠️ : This work is pure fiction of mine (author) , it is N.O.T real , N.O.T factual and N.O.T connected to the real world in any way , any resemblance to actual people or events is entirely coincidental , if you find the content disturbing , offensive or uncomfortable , stop reading immediately and proceed only at your O.W.N discretion
Anyone
(reading newspaper while sipping tea)
Unknown
It has been decided
Unknown
Yes , you are to be married (said while stepping closer to him)
Anyone
(hands stopped mid-air and gracefully put the tea cup on the table)
Anyone
I beg your pardon? ❄️ (looks at her)
Someone
(standing silently while clenching her saree)
Pratap Raghavan/FL father
It is settled , you will honor our family (strict voice)
Someone
Yes , baba (faint voice)
Someone
(signed the papers with trembling hands)
And they signed the papers in a room where silence felt sharp , their hands brushed momentarily over the inked sheets but neither looked at each other , they were strangers yet they were bound together by marriage and neither knew the shape their hearts would take...
Anyone
(pulled her closer by waist)
Someone
(blush looking at him through the mirror)
Anyone
you're looking beautiful (whispered in her ears)
Someone
(lowered her eyes with a smile)
Anyone
(kissed her cheeks)
Someone
(sitting in the garden)
Anyone
(laying in her lap)
Someone
(caressing his head)
Someone
(raised her eyebrows)
Anyone
I am going on a mission , it will take time for me to return
Someone
(hands stopped in middle)
Anyone
You'll wait for me , right ?
Someone
Always (kissed his forehead)
Anyone
(looking at a pendant)
Unknown
don't forget your duty ❄️
Anyone
(clenched the pendant)
Unknown
Remember , duty first , always ❄️
Anyone
I know ❄️ (faintest smile)
Anyone
Pl..please (trembling voice)
Someone
(shook her head while crying)
Anyone
I..I w..we will live far away from here , please love , don't do this (crying)
Someone
I..I am sorry (voice came out as a mere whisper)
Anyone
I..I beg you , we..we will go away from here , ju..just me and y..you , please listen to me (tears rolling down his cheeks)
Someone
(shook her head while crying hard)
Someone
Ma..maybe , in another life (whispered)
Anyone
pl..please PLEASE DON'T (screamed while crying)
But the thought of losing her , it unsettles me in ways I cannot name
I told myself this marriage was only duty
A burden I must carry with grace…
Then why does my heart tremble every time he looks at me as if I matter?
In a world divided by power and rebellion
Neither of them asked for this bond
Yet both found themselves unable to walk away from it~
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Introduction
WARNING ⚠️ : THIS STORY IS SET IN BRITISH INDIA AND IS PURELY A WORK OF FICTION , IT IS NOT INTENDED TO HURT OR OFFEND ANYONE'S SENTIMENTS , IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE OR DOUBT THE STORY , YOU ARE FREE TO STEP AWAY , NO ONE IS OBLIGATED TO READ FURTHER
SOME IMPORTANT CHARACTERS
James Harrington/ML father
James Harrington/ML father
• Name : James Harrington
• Husband of Augusta James Harrington
• Senior officer , strict and respected , demand discipline and honor from all , especially his son
Augusta James Harrington/ML mother
Augusta James Harrington/ML mother
• Name : Augusta James Harrington
• Wife of James Harrington
• Dignified and commanding woman , shaped her son’s life with firm expectations and subtle authority
Charles Whitmore/Colonel/ML bff
Charles Whitmore/Colonel/ML bff
• Name : Charles Whitmore
• Profession : Colonel in the military
• Commanding yet approachable , a trusted , confidant and steadfast ally to the ML , navigating duty and friendship with equal measure in the 1930s British army
Henry Ashford/Captain/ML colleague
Henry Ashford/Captain/ML colleague
• Name : Henry Ashford
• Profession : Captain in the military
• A strong , loyal and disciplined officer , carefully finding his way through the strict ranks and rules of the 1930s British Army
Rosalind Ashford/Henry's sister
Rosalind Ashford/Henry's sister
• Name : Rosalind Ashford
• Age : 19 years
• Sister of Henry Ashford
• Confident and proper , have a quiet crush on ML , living the expected dreams of a 1930s British lady
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
• Name : William Blackwood
• Profession : Lieutenant in the military
• Disciplined and loyal , serving under the general with efficiency and quiet competence , carries out orders without question while finding his way in the rigid hierarchy of the British army
Pratap Raghavan/FL father
Pratap Raghavan/FL father
• Name : Pratap Raghavan
• A landowner and civil servant , manages the family estates while maintaining close ties with British officials while carrying himself with the authority and dignity expected of a Lucknow aristocrat
Vandana Raghavan/FL mother
Vandana Raghavan/FL mother
• Name : Vandana Raghavan
• A housewife
• Education : Barely formally educated , know enough reading , household management and social etiquette to maintain the family’s image and traditions
FL BROTHER AND SISTER-IN-LAW
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
• Name : Prateek Raghavan
• Age : 26 years
• Husband of Vasundhara Raghavan
• Education : Trained in English , mathematics and commerce , groomed for banking and managing family affairs with precision and etiquette
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
• Name : Vasundhara Raghavan
• Age : 23 years
• Wife of Prateek Raghavan
• Education : Home-tutored in English , arts , music and etiquette , well cultured , refined and trained to honor family over personal ambition
Aparna Deshmukh/FL bff
• Name : Aparna Deshmukh
• Age : 21
• Education : only schooling
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Ep 1
Author
Hottipies , attendance please 👉🏻👈🏻
The railway station was buzzing with the heat and dust of early morning , steams were hissing from the engines and were mingling with the scent of coal and hot metal , travelers were hurrying past with their voices like a distant hum under the sharp clatter of wheels on the tracks
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
(standing at the platform)
Someone
BHABHI (chirped happily)
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
(smile)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
Devika , behave like a lady ❄️
Devika Raghavan/FL
Sorry (mumbled while walking)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
(went towards Vasundhara)
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
(smile at him)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
We should leave ❄️ (took the bag from her hand)
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
(smile dropped)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
(glance at Devika)
Devika Raghavan/FL
Bha..bhabhi , how was your journey ?
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
it was good and comfortable (said softly while looking at Prateek)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
The carriage is waiting ❄️
Devika Raghavan/FL
(in mind : arrogant human , your wife is standing here , waiting for you to talk with her 💢)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
follow me ❄️ (walking straight)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(scoffed at him)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
Devika ❄️
Devika Raghavan/FL
(immediately hide behind Vasundhara)
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
Come (held her hand and started walking)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(walking while asking Vasundhara about her journey)
Anyone
(walking on the platform)
A british officer was moving among the platforms with a clipboard in hand as he was inspecting the arrivals and departures of the trains with meticulous attention , his uniform was crisp , his posture was precise and every detail was reflecting discipline drilled into him over the years of his continuous service in the military
Anyone
This train is again late (mumbled while looking at the clipboard)
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
(walking beside him)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(bumped into him)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(eyes widened)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
Devika 💢 (whispered angrily)
Devika Raghavan/FL
So..sorry (said immediately)
Anyone
(looks at her with an angry frown)
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
General (gulp looking at him)
Edward Harrington/ML
(looking at Devika)
Devika Raghavan/FL
I..I am really sorry sir
As Edward looked at whom he bumped into , he stopped in his track as it was a lady , his dark , luminous eyes which were framed by brows that spoke of quiet determination met hers and at that moment , time seemed to hesitate to pass
Edward Harrington/ML
(looking into her eyes)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(eyes locked with his)
Devika , who was equally startled , caught the sight of the disciplined officer and froze for a fraction of a second after sensing a presence that was both commanding and foreign to her , yet there was no recognition , there was only a spark of something neither could explain
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
I am sorry on my sister's behalf general ❄️ (pulled Devika back)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(immediately hide behind Vasundhara)
Edward Harrington/ML
(looks at Prateek)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
(glaring at Devika)
Edward Harrington/ML
it's fine Mr. ❄️ (british accent)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
Wish you a good day ❄️
Edward Harrington/ML
Wish you the same ❄️ (said and walked away)
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
(looking at Devika)
Edward Harrington/ML
Lieutenant William ❄️
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
I..I apologise general (ran behind him)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
(looks at Devika with stern eyes)
Devika Raghavan/FL
....... (looking down while tightly clenching Vasundhara's hand)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
..... (takes a deep breath and walked away)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(sigh of relief)
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
(went behind him with Devika)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(in mind : it wasn't my fault , I was just looking around and he came out of nowhere)
Edward Harrington/ML
(turn his head and looks back)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(turn her head and looks back)
Edward Harrington/ML
(in mind : beautiful)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(immediately turned around , lowered her head and started walking fast)
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
general
Edward Harrington/ML
(looks at him)
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
The car is repaired now , we can leave for the headquarters
Edward Harrington/ML
Lets leave at once and check this ❄️ (passed him the clipboard)
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
(nod his head while looking at the arrival and departure time of the trains)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(looking outside)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
(sitting in front of her)
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
(sitting beside him)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
Devika , did you practice your letter this morning ❄️
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
I didn't saw you ❄️
Devika Raghavan/FL
I..I did it in front of baba
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
(nod his head)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(again lean on the window)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
baba said , your English lesson will end soon and once you are perfect in language then he will start looking for a match ❄️
Devika Raghavan/FL
........
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
(held his hand)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
(looks at her)
Vasundhara Raghavan/Prateek's wife
(shook her head while looking at Devika)
Prateek Raghavan/FL brother
(takes a deep breath and lean back on the seat)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(in mind : can't I get more freedom?)
Edward Harrington/ML
(walking straight)
It was late afternoon , at the military headquarters , in the mess , General Edward Harrington was moving with the quiet authority of a man who is accustomed to command , his polished boots were clicking against the marble floor of the officers mess and every subordinate saluted almost immediately as he was passing by them
Edward Harrington/ML
(stood in front of an officer)
Officers
(gulp a hard lump of saliva while standing straight)
Edward Harrington/ML
Report ❄️
Officers
Sir , the northern outpost is fully operational , supplies are on schedule (said while looking straight)
Edward Harrington/ML
Good , ensure that daily drills continue , I want discipline , efficiency and no lapses ❄️
Officers
Yes sir (salutes)
Edward Harrington/ML
(walked away)
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
(walking beside Edward)
Edward Harrington/ML
William ❄️
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
Yes sir
Edward Harrington/ML
Ensure all outposts report by noon , I want details❄️
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
Lunch ?
Edward Harrington/ML
I will join in five minutes ❄️
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
one more thing sir
Edward Harrington/ML
(nod his head while walking)
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
A letter from the Harrington estate arrived this morning and it needs your attention (said hurriedly)
Edward Harrington/ML
In my cabin ❄️
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
(nod his head)
Edward Harrington/ML
(went towards his cabin)
William Blackwood/Lieutenant
(went to get the letter)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(writing in her diary)
Devika Raghavan/FL
"April 12 , 1930" (started writing)
Vandana Raghavan/FL mother
Devika (calling her)
Devika Raghavan/FL
Ji..JIII
Vandana Raghavan/FL mother
Your baba is calling you (shouted)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(closed her diary , put it under the pillow and ran out of the room)
Vandana Raghavan/FL mother
(saw her running)
Vandana Raghavan/FL mother
behave like a lady Devika , your baba don't like you behaving like a kid (strict voice)
Devika Raghavan/FL
(stopped in her track)
Vandana Raghavan/FL mother
Go , he is waiting for you along with Prateek
Devika Raghavan/FL
(went to her father's study while walking gracefully)
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Meet , GENERAL EDWARD HARRINGTON
A 29 years old man of discipline and authority , a man who commands respect in the British army , yet beneath his stern exterior , a keen mind observed the world quietly
For him , his duty comes before everything
A 21 years old , shy and graceful girl from a prestigious Lucknow family , polite and reserved yet quietly curious about the world beyond tradition
Though her days were filled with lessons , music and embroidery like those of the old times , there was a spark of independent thought in her , a desire to understand the world , to witness justice and to dream beyond the constraints imposed upon her
What will happen when these two souls will be bound in a marriage of convenience ? torn between duty and desires , will these two ever get their happy ending ?
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