In Love: The Royal Sagaai

Everything seemed to happen so fast over the past few weeks that she had no time to reflect on whether it was all for real or just her dreams. In the past week, he had arrived on her doorstep, with his parents, asking for her hand in marriage. Now, what was strange about that? Only, his parents were the Rana and Maharani of Mewar, hence he was the Crown Prince. For a commoner like herself, it was like a crime to even dream of being his wife. But it was all coming true!

The Royal Pandit had arrived at Bijolia. He had gone through the Kundli and fixed the date for their Sagai. The Royal Maids who accompanied his family were busy decorating their home with Royalty. The Royal Tailor was called upon to take measurements for her ceremonial Lehangas, as it was a tradition of the Royal Family. Maharani Jaivanta Bai herself chose her jewellery and dupattas. The palace at Bijolia was busy with activities both in the main Hall and also at the Guest Quarters.

At the far end of the Antarmahal, she sat quietly, as her sister Ratnavati looked clueless as to why her sister had called upon her.

" What is it Jija? Tell me fast, I have to go pick flowers for the Maharani."

She opened the trunk in front of her. It had her clothes neatly put in order, simple designs, not at all gaudy. Just the way she liked it.

" Here, take these." She handed her sister a bunch of her new lehengas. She wouldn't be needing them at Chittor anymore. There was a hint of sadness in her voice today. Ratnavati hugged her. " I am scared, Ratna... will I be able to adapt to the palace lifestyle?" She held her sister's hands; hers were very cold. "Of course, don't think too much, Jija, everything will fall in place." Ratnavati continued. " And besides, Maharani Sa is very affectionate towards you." 

" Ranima is very simple. I know Ratna, but she is a princess. I ..."

" Kunwarsa is there, right? Why do you fear so much?" There was a hint of tease in Ratnawati's voice. Ajabde smiled. Ever since her wedding had been fixed, Ratnavati seemed to have grown and matured.

They heard footsteps in the hallway and looked back at the door.

" Ajabde..." He walked in swiftly, avoiding people's eyes, as though with some important news. He was taken aback knowing she was not alone. " Ratnavati, Gani Khamma." He smiled at her sister. " Khamma Gani Kunwarsa, I need to go pick flowers now." Ratnavati smiled back at her sister teasingly and walked away.

Alone, he was himself again. As Ratnavati walked away, he turned to her and stuck out his tongue, in a childish way, as though they were caught! That made Ajabde smile.

" Aapko Kuch chahiye Kunwar Pratap?" (" You want something?")

" Yes... No... I am here to give you something."

He took out a dozen colourful bangles. He had been hiding his hand behind his back all this time. " Here, I made Chakrapani buy these at the Haat Mela." She took them with a smile. " I know you like them simply. So here..." He was looking for what more he could say. " Dhanyavaad." She smiled. She placed them beside the mirror and took her puja thali. He knew it was time for her Sandhi Puja, and he smiled at her and walked away briskly, as she smiled and watched him go.

The next morning, everyone was in their best attire and smiling faces, as the preparations were underway for the Pujas. Ajabde found her new royal lehenga too heavy to walk around in. Her worry was put to rest when Ratnavati offered to hold her lehenga as she walked through the corridors leading to the ceremonial hall. Meanwhile, in the guest quarters, Jaivanta Bai put the Royal ceremonial turban on Pratap's head. Ajabde's mother walked into her room with a red Dupatta. And put it over her face. It was time to go.

Kunwar Pratap sat at the Puja waiting for his new bride to arrive. His friends teased him that waiting had started in his life, and a lifetime of more waiting upon her needs would continue. He smiled. He really did not mind as long as it was Ajabde he waited for. He knew her too well to think that she would be the last person to make him wait upon her. The sounds of her Payal reached his ears, even amidst the chatters and chants. Everyone turned to welcome the bride, and he caught a glimpse of her covered in a golden lehenga and red Dupatta, face covered. She came and sat beside him for the ceremonies. Not a word was exchanged, not a peek at each other, yet both smiling, happy faces knew what the other thought.

After the puja, the ladies took her to the Antarmahal for some music and dance in private. The noble women came to catch a glimpse of the girl who won the bravest heart of Mewar. They blessed her. She sat quietly, smiling shyly. Ratnavati tugged at her sister and pulled her out of the crowd. " Come with me, Jija." "But Where?" She dragged Ajabde to Maharani Jaivanta Bai and urged, " Maharani Sa, can I take Jija out to the porch for some time? She has had a tiring day, and some fresh air will do her good. I will bring her back in a while." Ajabde looked at Ratnavati cluelessly from behind her dupatta. The Maharani readily agreed.

Ratnavati pulled Ajabde by her hand to a small balcony at the back of the palace, where a cool breeze gave a pleasant feeling in the early evening. " Stay here, Jija, I will be back." She ran away before Ajabde could react. Facing the gardens, Ajabde stood alone, breathing in the fresh air.

He walked up behind her. " So you came..."

" Aap?" She stammered, surprised.

" Somebody will...."

" No, Ajabde, nobody will see," he interrupted, " Ratnavati is standing guard."

He walked up to the nervous bride and took the liberty of unveiling her dupatta to see her face. This was the first time he did that, to anybody, for that matter. Nervous, Ajabde's heart skipped a beat. He looked at her eyes and smiled; he knew what she thought. He stepped back.

  " You look..." he was bad at this..." Umm..."

" I have something for you." She interrupted his attempt.

  " What?" He looked surprised.

She took out a small statue of Lord Krishna from her jholi. " Keep this with you." 

He smiled as he put the statue on his forehead. and back in his hand. " I am leaving at dawn tomorrow."

Her smile faded. " So early?"

 " Yes, I have some matters of administration to look after at Chittor, then a lot of travelling to do across Mewar. It will take a few months." He clearly indicated that this was their last meeting before the wedding. A moment of silence passed by

. " Hum chalte hai, Gani khamma." He turned around to go. He could see her sad eyes; her tears were not what he wanted to see today.

" Write to me, Kunwarsa." Her words stopped him as he turned around,

" What?"

" Write to me. About your journey, people you meet, new experiences." He was taken aback.

 She wanted letters. Rarely did they speak out about their feelings to each other. " You will reply?" He smiled, pleased.

" Only if it comes without a Royal seal from the Crown Prince." He was clueless about this request. " The letter should be from Kunwar Pratap to Ajabde and not from the Crown Prince." He smiled and nodded.

  " I will write to you." She smiled back.

  " Wait..." He smiled teasingly. " If you did not know you were coming here to meet me, then why did you bring the gift?" Ajabde bit her tongue. " I knew you wouldn't leave without meeting me." She smiled back. " Khamma Gani." That was the indication that it was time for him to go. He stood at the doorway on his way back and smiled at his would-be Bride.

At dawn, the whole palace was abuzz, making preparations for the Royal family to leave. Food was being prepared for the journey, and gifts were exchanged. Ajabde stood with her Aarti thali at the Krishna temple on the palace premises, praying as a maid came to inform her, " Your Maa Sa called upon you, they are leaving." Covering her face with the semi-transparent yellow dupatta, she made her way to the Mukhya Dwar. Her mother was performing the traditional farewell aarti for the guests as she stood behind her. He was right there, beside his father, stealing a quick glance at her dupatta-clad face. He touched his parents' feet and sought their blessings. " Here Ajabde." Her mother handed her the aarti thal. " Kunwar Sa ko Aarti karo." In front of all the people gathered there, Ajabde put the tilak on Kunwar Pratap's forehead for the first time. They smiled shyly. Yes, she was finally his. He whispered, " Chalte hai." She nodded in approval. " Jai Eklingji." As he rode in the huge procession out of the palace, he turned back to see a figure clad in a yellow dupatta on the palace balcony. He was filled with the warm feeling of being loved as he smiled back. On the Palace balcony, she felt a known pain watching him go, as she wiped a tear away from her eyes. She couldn't wait to be his. Forever.