The Plan

The car was parked right opposite Dheer's Boutique. Pratap saw Roshni and Phool step in. His heart was stuck in his mouth. He insisted on going with her, but she was determined. He looked a lot like his father. What if she recognised him? The whole plan would be spoiled then. He kept insisting it was not safe. He kept a hawk's watch at the door. Vishal looked ahead, having a packet of chips.
"Chill, bro, they will get out the info, they are smart, you know."
His voice seemed to fall on deaf ears as Pratap looked out of the car window anxiously.

Roshni and Phool stepped into the well-furnished shop and were welcomed by a woman in her twenties. They looked at each other. This was not her; they had searched all over and found a picture of her from a paper clip, and she was indeed mesmerisingly beautiful. They searched around pretending to look at the things.
" May I help you, Miss?" The sales lady asked. The name read Veer.
" Veer is it?" Phool tried to show some confidence.
" Yes, Miss."
" Where's this boutique's owner? We want to order something special."
" You can wait, Miss, she will be here within 15 mins."
" What is it?" A man called out from behind a curtain, really disturbed.
" Sir, they are looking for Ma'am."
"I'm her son, Jagmal. Can I help?" The guy looked no more than twenty.
" No, actually, we want to see your mother. We will wait."
" Stepmother." He corrected.

They waited on the sofa, tensed when Roshni texted Pratap, " We are waiting for her."
She entered with an assistant, and Veer interrupted her walk towards the curtains.
" Ma'am."
" What is it, Veer?" Her voice was urgent and rude.
" These girls want to see you, Ma'am," Veer replied, visibly scared.
" Yes, how may I help?" Dheer came with a pleasant smile.
" We want to order a special Lehenga." Phool started talking as part of the plan. Dheer nodded and went through the requirements with Phool and showed her the catalogues. Phool leafed through some designs while Roshni frowned at Dheer.
" Aree Phool, I have seen her somewhere." Roshni interrupted.
" Me? Where?" Dheer smiled back, a little surprised.
" Weren't you an employee of Sisodia Enterprises?" Her question made Dheer's smile fade a little.
" What?" Dheer's face was visibly pale. " No, never heard of it." A reply came from behind her. An identical-looking woman, perhaps a little older than her, replied.
" Uma Jija..." Dheer asked, surprised.
" But I am sure I saw her there, my father was an employee." Roshni insisted.
" I told you, Miss, you are mistaken." The older lady was firm.
" How dare you talk to my friend this way?" Phool was visibly overacting." Come, Rosh, let's go! We will find another Boutique." Damn it, she said the real name!

They stormed out and crossed the road, and got into the car. Uma watched them go.
" Why did you react, Jija? We could just deny." Dheer asked her from behind. "We lost a client."
" That girl did not come for the lehenga." Uma shook her head, closing the curtains shut.
" What? How do you know?" Dheer asked, confused.
" They went towards a car." Uma paced the room.
" So?"
" That car was Pratap Singh's." Dheer took a step back at her sister's words.
" How do you know that, Jija?" Dheer asked. "he was a child when..."
" I spotted him, an exact reflection of his father's." Uma snapped. "You better be careful, Dheer!"

" Jija, are they after us?" Dheer was restless.
" Let me get some information first, Dheer," Uma reassured.
" If Jagmal gets to know of my past, he will drag me to court for fraud and take away all that his father gave me instead of him," Dheer whispered, intimidated.
" Yes, Dheer and Udai Singh will get their lost glory back; we can't let that happen." Uma shook her head. Not after he had the audacity to choose that Jaivanta over me!
" Yes, Jija, what will we do?" Dheer asked. Uma picked up her phone. " We need every information on them if they are doing what we think they are, get rid of that girl first, then Pratap." Dheer looked tense, " Say such things in a lower voice, Jija, Jagmal is in the next room."

Meanwhile, the four friends were in Pratap's room as soon as they entered the house.
" I am sure she was at fault; there was guilt all over her face," Phool concluded.
" But she saw us get in the car; she will be after us." Roshni's voice was tense.
" What? Are you sure?" Pratap was anxious.
" Yes." Roshni stared at Phool, omitting that she had mistakenly taken her name.
" We stop this right now!" Pratap was firm.
" But..."
"Not another word from you." Pratap scolded Roshni, much to Phool and Vishal's surprise. He was angry and worried.

He walked away to the balcony to cool himself off. Roshni followed him there.
" What's wrong?"
" Look, I don't want you to be hurt in any way." Pratap looked at her anxiously.
" I won't be hurt as long as I am with you," Roshni replied with a smile.
" Why do you never listen to me?" He held her hand, sounding helpless.
" Why do you always worry?" She replied in the same tone.
He smiled at her.
" Let me drop you home?"
" No, I will go with Phool."
" But..."
" Don't worry, I will call when home." She insisted.

He sat with his phone, anxiously waiting for her to call when home, he waved her goodbye anxiously, as her smiling face got into Phool's car. She waved back, promising to call. It had already one hour since then. He paced in his room, tensed. His phone rang; it was an unknown number.

" Hello...."
"I'm calling from Sangram Singh Hospital. I found your number from the phone of one of the accident victims."
" Accident?" He couldn't breathe properly.
" Yes, two girls... in a white SUV ... it was hit by another car.... they are unconscious... hello? Hello??" His phone fell from his hand as he rushed out. He could barely speak when he told Dadi to call his parents and inform them. Vishal and Pratap drove to the hospital in a haze.

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda amidst uncertainty and chaos. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rawat Chundawat, and some other chieftains stopped the ongoing Raj Tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani hadn't expected Kunwar Pratap to show up, that too, despite her conveying to him his father's last wish of crowning Kunwar Jagmal. Twenty-one days after Udai Singh's death, she was finally close to a dream she had dared to dream since Jagmal was born. He was not informed about the Raj Tilak as per Dheerbai's instructions. She eyed Rawat Ji. He must have assembled the chiefs to this revolt against her son, against the dead king. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing, Chotima?" A disappointed voice was directed at her. She could stoop down so low? For the first time, an anger...

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. His spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Eight

Trilochon was so overwhelmed that Binoy came for the Pujo and Kirtan on Dol Purnima. Their neighbours, friends and acquaintances had all gathered in the Thakur Dalan, first for the pujo when the idol of Sree Radha and Sree Krishna were worshipped in the Dalan, and Horir Loot of Batasha and Naru were distributed. Unlike in the village, people here, especially children, did not fight over the Horir Loot . Bondita and Batuk took part in the ritual like they used to as kids, counting the number of Batasha each of them had, amusing the elders who reminisced about their childhood and how Batuk snatched Bondita’s share and ran as she chased after him, shouting. The Kirtan followed the pujo, the tales of Sree Krishna’s prowess, his Leela and Radha’s sacrifice were sung with the sounds of Dhol and Khanjani . It followed the devotional songs praising Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his praises to Lord Krishna. Bondita not only liked the stories of Kirtan but also how the crowd joined in the singing and...

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabdeh looked visibly displeased at the ladies who ran around. " They are at the fort gates, and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red lehenga and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maasa Maasa... who is coming with Daajiraj?" His innocent question made her heart sink. " Bhanwar Ji." Sajja Bai called out to him. " Come here, I will tell you." Amar rushed to his Majhli Dadisa., " Ajabdeh." She turned at Jaivanta Bai's call. "They are here." " M... My Aarti thali..." Ajabde looked lost like never before. Jaivanta Bai held her stone-cold hands, making her stop. She patted her head and gave her a hug. The hug gave her the comfort she was looking for as her racing heart calmed down. Jaivanta Bai left her alone with her thaal. " Maa sa!" ...

Purnota: Chapter Forty One

Kalindi stood looking at the Ganga in the distance as Trilochon watched her. It was later in the night, and the stars were veiling the clear summer sky. A cool breeze blew from the Ganga, relaxing Kalindi’s restless heart as she took a stroll. Trilochon had spotted her in the garden from his balcony and walked up to her. She did not turn as he came up behind her and cleared his throat. “I apologise for storming off like that.” He was the first to speak. Kalindi inhaled. “Have you heard that she went to borrow a saree from Bouma to wear to some party?” Kalindi spoke rather monotonously. “Yes, Bouma said so.” Trilochon cleared his throat. He left out the part where Asha enthusiastically told him about Bondita blushing and her idea of telling Bondita to confess her feelings. Instead, Trilochon added, “The senior is very influential. He can have some good contacts for Bondita. Perhaps enough for her to get a job in Kolkata, like you wanted.” Kalindi could hear through his unconvincing...

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in the court with Rana Udai Singh. The Mughals were conquering a huge part of the north courtesy of Bairam Khan and Mewar on their routes to the ports of Surat. " Daajiraj, we need to secure the roads leading to Agra and also towards the west. The attack-prone areas should always be under surveillance." " Yes, Ranaji. Baojiraj is right." Rawatji agreed. In the Rani Mahal, everyone was preparing for a grand lunch. Ajabdeh was making a drink for the princes and princesses, and in a hurry, she forgot to add the Kesar and Badam on top. As she served the smaller princes, including Kunwar Jagmal, Dheerbai came to inspect her eldest son's food. " What is this? Who made this? Kokoiaji?" She stormed to the kitchen with a bowl of sweet dishes. " Kunwaranisa did." Came a scary answer, from Veer Bai. " Ajabdeh Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabdeh walke...

Purnota: Chapter Forty Three

Trilochon and Kalindi were having tea in the morning in their living room when Binoy walked downstairs in his Pajama Panjabi, pipe in hand and found them. Watching him unusually in his home attire, Trilochon frowned. “Are you sick? I thought you had already left.” Binoy sat down on the single chaise chair beside the couch as Kalindi poured some tea for him. “ I told you, Dada, I am here to retire.” He said, putting his pipe in his pocket. “Today, Som is going alone. We will see how that goes.” Their conversation was interrupted by Asha coming into the house in a white and red saree, with a red sindoor Teep on her forehead. She had a basket with her, and Koeli was accompanying her as she offered them the sweets she had taken as Prasad. “Since it’s his first day at the new position, we went to the temple together.” Asha narrated to Kalindi. “He left for work from there.” “Do you not have school today?” Kalindi enquired as Asha shook her head. She smiled, eyeing Trilochon, who narra...

Destiny

The war was almost won. A few of Marwar’s soldiers were left on the field along with Rao Maldeo Singh Rathore, their king and leader. He was thinking of retreating at the end of this day. As his sword clashed with one of the opponent generals as he eyed the opponent King now open and prone to attack. A little hope flickered in his mind as his eyes instructed his closest aide. The opponent was in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just sixteen, yet his bravery and valour reflected his blood and upbringing. He mesmerised the opponents and even Rao Maldeo with his clever war strategies and sword skills. As Maldeo’s aide swung his sword at a taken aback Udai Singh, someone’s sword defended it as his body acted like a shield for the king. He killed the man in one go. “ Ranaji, are you okay?” “ Haan Raoji.” He nodded gratefully. By half the day, the Marwar army had retreated as the air filled with “ Jai Mewar! Jai Eklingji!” From the triumphant soldiers. Rana Udai ...

Endless

Kunwar Pratap reached the Dangal. Ranima had ordered Ajabdeh to practise regularly. She was nowhere around since he woke up that morning. He had assumed she was with Ranima for the morning prayers, but then she was not in the Dangal on time, either. Ajabdeh was never late. He felt a little uneasy as he picked up the sword. A thunder made him look up at the gloomy sky as he felt the first drop of rain. A little wet, he ran through the corridors. Ajabdeh had woken up feeling unwell. He was sleeping after a tiring day, so she decided against calling him and, more, worrying him. She bathed, hoping to feel better, performed her puja and went to the gardens for some fresh air. Still feeling uneasy in the gloomy weather, she decided that playing with Parvati might make her feel better. After some talk with Bhago and playing with Parvati, she stood up from the floor and felt dizzy. Bhago caught her hand. " Are you all right?" " I just felt a little dizzy. I don't know why...

Purnota: Chapter Forty

“ Ei Bondita,” Asha called her from the stairs as Bondita placed down some papers Aniruddha wanted from the office and was leaving the house. “Come up to my room.” She waved. “ Aschi, Boudi.” Bondita walked up to her room, removing the waistcoat from over her Kurti. She sat down on the edge of Asha’s bed and closed the door. Bondita looked perplexed. “What… is wrong?” “Where is Dadabhai? Is he here?” Bondita shook her head. He was probably still working. “Sir.” The newly recruited junior knocked on the chamber door of Aniruddha’s office as he looked up from the screen. “Your father is here.” Aniruddha frowned a little at his words. Binoy never visited the office. He asked the man to bring him in. Binoy walked in, in a polo-necked navy blue t-shirt over a pair of beige pants, as Aniruddha observed him remove his glasses and look around. “What brought you here?” He enquired after waiting a little in vain for him to speak. “Just came by… for a chat.” Binoy sat down on the seat acros...

RAABTA

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