The Veil of the Mountain Mist

By Z H Khan

A mystery suspense thriller, a novel that will give you the insight to belief more than your imagination.
A very gripping and powerful theme it has all the ingredients of modern and traditional life, destiny and the unknown.
Set in the hearts of Kashmir and Pakistan, this story provides an amazing and cultural backdrop into the mystery and magnificence of this part of the world; deemed a 'Paradise on Earth'.
On a trip to a rural village in Kashmir for his next consignment as a computer engineer from Lahore, Amir whilst taken aback by the alluring scenery, is astonished to find before him an even more alluring woman, Gori.
Lost and tired; Amir, with the help of this enchanting lady arrives comfortably at his destination and completes his consignment.
On return to Lahore a happily married Amir is greeted with open arms from his wife and soul mate Anny. Upon asking about the particulars of his journey, Anny becoming aware of her husband's acquaintance with Gori and learning of her beauty and excellence becomes jealous beyond compare. Amir however revoking his story in an effort to calm her jealously pulls his wife back and reiterates his boundless love for her, and her only.
After receiving a lucrative offer which could change their lives for ever, Amir is beckoned to Egypt the following day for a consignment unlike any other he has carried out before.
After Amir's exit, Anny all alone yet again and missing her husband after just one night of re-acquaintance is shocked to find an enviously beautiful yet poor and destitute looking girl at the door. Anny is baffled even further at the mention of her husband's name coming from a complete stranger.
Overcome with clemency for the girl, invites her into her house and decides to accommodate her until her husbands return.
Is it not strange that lives and lifestyles commonly taken for granted can be upturned into catastrophic turmoil by a simple knock on the door.
But every knocking door must be answered... right?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jan 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9781467879507

Z H Khan

A playwright turned author, Zafar Khan incorporates a unique style in his writing. He provides his readers the ability to ensure most of his work can be visualized and that every character will amuse the reader and carry on an amazing literary journey, page by page.

Book preview

The Veil of the

Mountain Mist

Z H Khan

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AuthorHouse™

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© 2011 Z H Khan. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/9/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4678-7949-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4678-7950-7 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Final Chapter

I dedicate this book to my beloved mother

without her this would not have been possible.

Special thank you to

Shayan raja for all the support and help

to make this publication possible

Chapter 1

Kashmir is a beautiful country divided in two parts… Well, that’s what the world thinks! The history of the Asian subcontinent states that Kashmir has a history of its own; and that it dates back thousands of years. Even in the times of the British Raj, Kashmir was the holiday resort of choice.

Kashmir was an independent state long before the Mogul invasion. Furthermore the division of India in 1947 dismantled Kashmir and divided it in several parts. Even today Kashmir is divided in such a complex manner that even the native Kashmiri people do not have the exact knowledge of its regional borders. The natives are treated like third class citizens with little or no help from the developed World. They try to help themselves as much as they can by building schools and hospitals etc…

We are talking about the so called Azad Kashmir i.e. Independent Kashmir, (Pakistan administered Kashmir) where fresh water streams blue as the sky above flow down the mountains and then becoming rivers. The greenery on the hills and mountain tops covered with snow has provided the area with the title the: ‘Switzerland of Asia’ and the stunning beauty gives it the well deserved title of ‘Paradise on Earth’.

Like a lot of historians and scholars have said before me, men of the highest vocabulary cannot describe the beauty and magnificence of this country and the nobility of its people. All her borders are heavily guarded by armed forces from India and Pakistan, yet Kashmir has no army of its own. It shares their currency and they are totally dependent on Pakistan and they have a dummy government which implements the laws of Pakistan in the country; that is my personal view on the matter anyway.

The people of the valley are set in their own historical, traditional ways; still using buffalo and donkeys as a means of transport and tools for agriculture. There are herds of goat, sheep and ponies all living in a world of their own giving the word ‘free range’ a completely different meaning. Everything within Kashmir contributes to its way of life even if some creatures are only there for the aesthetic pleasure of man.

When the snow falls the natives herd their livestock to lower grounds for greener pastures and when spring introduces itself in all its seasonal glory, the animals once again move back up the mountains. During these journeys they tell stories which today’s man will find hard to believe, stories of the Abominable Snowman also known to the natives of Tibet as the ‘Yeti’ and ‘Sasquatch’ to others. Many erstwhile fascinating creatures which are unbelievable yet one tends to believe their existence through the locals fascinating tales.

But the people of the lower parts have migrated to England, Europe and other parts of the world keeping in touch with their native land and helped built massive cities and villages most people are settled down, every other person that you meet wants to migrate to Europe or anywhere but Kashmir.

The country does not have any industry or regular source of income for the majority of its people are farmers dependent on rain for their crops and standards of living is not that great.

On my journey I heard a lot of different stories of the mountains, that fascinated me and some I found hard to swallow but my story doesn’t stop there, I met a wealthy man in one village who was very much interested in setting up a computer work shop for a middle school and asked if I could help. I suggested a couple of companies of which I was familiar with and one of the owners of the computer company was a friend of mine so I got in touch and asked him to set up the work shop; with a nice discount, of course. Anyway, cutting a long story short Mr. Feroz, the wealthy man got his computers and Amir was asked to install them.

Amir is a computer installer and programmer working for Zahid who owns a multi-national computer company in Lahore. Back at the school Mr. Feroz and the principal with the help from staff, are making room for the computer lab. Computers have arrived at the school in boxes and are waiting to be assembled.

Amir made his way to the village not really knowing the way to the school. As he walked looking for someone to ask for directions, he heard a sweet song coming from afar, he looked around suddenly and laid eyes upon a young girl walking out of a cave carrying a pitcher of water. Her beauty was incomparable which left Amir stunned.

Chapter 2

The girl then walked over to Amir and stopped to look at him. Amir however was still lost in her presence as if hypnotised by her beauty. The girl snapped him out of his gaze and asked. Are you lost or thirsty? Her voice was as gentle as a Nightingale and he could have listened to it all day.

Amir quickly replied Yes! No! I mean… Sorry I am a stranger in these parts and it is very hot, I could do with a drink of cold water if you wouldn’t mind.

As the girl poured the water from the pitcher into the round metal bowl she asked. So you are the man that has come to put computers in the school? Amir looking surprised by the question and taking the bowl answered Yes! I am and the name is Amir but how did you know that? the girl feeling a little uneasy

Not only am I expecting you, but the village in its entirety too.

After finishing the water still gazing at the girl he handed the metal bowl back to the girl and asked her for directions I was wondering if you can show me the way to the school and maybe get me some help in carrying my baggage. She smiled, answered and gave him the directions,

If you follow this path pointing to a muddy dusty path leading away from them, you will see the school. It’s not very far but leave your bags here and I will get someone to bring them to the school for you

Amir’s desire was to chat to her for a little longer and tried to keep her talking Thank you so much, I didn’t catch your name

She mocked with him I didn’t throw it so how could you catch it?

A voice interrupted their conversation Gori, did you get lost? Gori panicked and replied I am coming Baba! She turned to Amir, did you catch that? Gori, that’s my name and don’t worry, I will get your stuff to the school. I have to go now bye! She left Amir standing there looking at her skip away in a hurry.

Amir walked away along the path when he saw some children wearing a school uniform walking towards the school. As he was too going to