The Royal Wedding Preparations

A huge procession made its way through the roads inside Chittorgarh, People had gathered on the main road of the fort to see it go. Among the horses and foot soldiers, there was a well-decorated royal palanquin. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had sent that, especially for the future Kuwarani of Mewar. Ajabde sat in it, guarded by two foot-soldiers on each side, her heart pounding as the palace came nearer. She heard people's voices as they tried to catch a glimpse of the girl who stole their favourite son's heart.

Meanwhile, at the palace, a huge crowd of subjects had gathered for the official introduction of the future queen. A platform of appearances was laid and well decorated for the event. At his Chambers, he was excited that he would meet 'her after such a long time. They had exchanged letters like he had promised all these months. He wrote to her without the royal seal and she happily responded. Yet there was so much more to tell her about his trip around the country.

The palanquin was lowered on the path of flower petals leading to the palace. Two maids helped her out, as her mother and sister came up behind her. Flower petals were rained on her to welcome her to her would-be In-Laws' home. He stood all the way up the stairs on the platform. Happy at her sight!

She could see him smile down at her from behind her dupatta. Their families greeted each other with gifts. He touched her parent's feet and she touched his. Jaivanta Bai hugged Ajabde.
" Come, Meet the subjects"
Rana Udai Singh's guard declared to the onlookers " Presenting to you, your favourite son's would-be wife and Mewar's future Kuwarani Sa Ajabde Punwar of Bijolia, Daughter of Rao Ram Rakh Punwar." She stepped forward her hands folded as the crowd cheered. He stood beside her, happy that his subjects liked her.
" You see this Ajabde, our subjects love you already." He whispered to her.
" Can I go down and meet them Ranima?" Everyone was shocked at her plea but he was happy she loved them back. The Rana gave his approval as they stepped down from the podium together to greet the commoners.

Elders blessed them, young ones were in awe of the new princess. Ajabde was happy to meet these people. Suddenly she felt a pull at her dupatta. Turning back she saw a little girl with a flower in hand.
" Are you a princess?" The innocent face asked her. Ajabde smiled and knelt down before the child. Taking the flower in hand she kissed the child " No, I am just a girl like you!"
" Can I be a princess too?"
" You already are!" The subjects were already in awe of this soon-to-be queen.
" She is just like our Baujiraj. No ego at all." " She seems to be Baujiraj's shadow." were the whispers.

He happily came up behind her and asked " What's your name ?"
" Latika." He nodded at Ajabde. Ajabde took out a ring from her finger and gave it to the little girl in awe. The crowd cheered their Princess. Back at the podium, Rani Jaivanta Bai told Ajabde's mother " She was born to be his, they are so much alike."
Ajabde's family was escorted to the guest quarters by Rawal Chundawat, one of the important generals. Ajabde was in awe to see such huge guest quarters. The main hall was already undergoing repairs for the wedding and Ratnawati and Ajabde looked around the place in awe. A messenger interrupted them.
" Ranaji has asked for Raoji to be present at the court immediately. The royal priest is here." Her parents left in a hurry.

She was unpacking her things in her room quietly when his voice startled her. " Ajabde..."
" Kunwarsa?" She looked at him confused. " What are you doing here?"
" You like this room?"
" Yes... But..."
" Ranima is preparing your room back in the palace herself."
" Kunwar Pratap you want something?" Her voice indicated he was not supposed to be there.
" I came with some news."
She looked at him as he smiled. She missed this teasing smile so much!
" Pandit ji fixed a date next week."
" Ji?" Their conversation was interrupted by footsteps.
" I have to go, see you at the tilak." He ran off.

Her mother entered the room with a smiling face.
" The Rajpurohit said the nakshatra 5 days later is perfect. Sangeet is tomorrow. We have a lot to do Ajabde"
That evening the Royal tailors and jewellers accompanied Jaivanta Bai to the guest houses. They took the measurements and the designs for the royal jewellery. Jaivanta Bai handed over some family jewellery to Ajabde's mother for her, as per the royal traditions.

Preparations for the Sangeet were in a full swing! The maids were everywhere, cleaning and decorating the halls with lights and flowers. Gifts were being arranged for the guests and hundreds of delicacies were cooked. The Ladies were welcomed to the upper halls as the men made merry in the lower ones. Ajabde sat clad in as the dancers entertained them. Her hands were being painted in alta by some maids.


After the guests departed and she got rid of her heavy jewellery and clothes, she sat in her room alone, a lamp giving a dim view of the walls and she was lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, she heard a noise in the hallway. Grabbing the knife from the fruit bowl she gathered her courage to walk up to her door. She was about to shout when he put his hand over her face " Husshhh, it's me."
" Kunwar Pratap you...."
" I hate these rituals Ajabde, we don't get to meet or talk." He let go of her and very comfortably sat on her bed.
" Kunwarsa, how did you come here?"
" I am the prince of this palace Ajabde, nobody can stop me." She stared at him deeply. Ignoring her glances he confessed, " I came climbing the back wall."
" What? Why? Are you hurt?" Concern filled her eyes and made him laugh.
" Hush" She warned him.
" Tomorrow we have Tilak. I can't wait for my new sword. Have you seen it?" He was like a child excited to see his new toy.
" No, but I will tomorrow when I perform its puja."
" Have you been practising your sword fighting skills? The ones I taught you?"
" No... I ..." Ajabde was looking for excuses.
" I will teach you more when you come to live with me." He smiled at her as she blushed.
" Now you should leave."
" Only three more days, after that you can never tell me to leave." His voice teased again as she looked at him with a straight face.

The next morning both the Palaces were waking up to Havan and Puja. Pratap and Ajabde performed their Ganapati pujas before getting ready for the Tilak. Ajabde's mama presented Pratap with the royal sword, clothes, jewellery and horses. This sword was to cut through the enemies for many wars to come! Pratap's Mama presented Ajabde with some jewellery from Bundi. They were blessed by the elders. Sitting across the room from each other, not a glance exchanged they spend the tilak rasam.

Preparations were going on for the Haldi. Chandan, Haldi and holy water were brought and pasted in huge quantities to bathe the Bride and Groom in Tumeric paste and milk to purify them. Ajabde was clad in a yellow lehenga as per the traditions and Pratap in white Dhoti. Haldi was smeared on the unmarried groom and taken to the bride's palace. Married women, mothers and sisters smeared Haldi on the couple. Bathed in milk, the prince adorned his wedding attire. His mother put on his Pagri and Sehra. The people of Chittor were already celebrating with conch shells and crackers. The beautiful Bride was ready in her red lehenga, awaiting her prince's arrival. Chittor gathered on the streets to see their favourite son's wedding procession go by.

At the guest quarters sat a commoner girl, hands trembling, heart pounding, waiting to be a Royal, not knowing the path she chose was going to be difficult but life with him worth a lifetime. Ajabde Punwar waited to be Kunwarani Ajabde Baisa as Kunwar Pratap got on his white horse, looking like a Prince every girl dreamt for. His heart pounded too, but his excitement was of immense joy. So much fight for her was finally worth it. She was going to be his, Soon.