Skip to main content

Twists and Turns

The engagement was just a month away. Their boards were over and everyone was looking up collages. There was a lot to do, shopping to start with! Phool and Vishal were too excited not only because their best friends were engaged but also with the mission they were assigned with. They never knew Pratap had so many problems in his life. They had no idea how they ended up together, but they always knew these guys were in love. Phool excitedly made a shopping list for Roshni for the engagement. She paced up and down Roshni's room reading what she wrote. A lehenga, some jewellery and a ring were to start with. They had to buy gifts for Pratap's family too. Hansa had told Phool to help Roshni with the shopping much to her dismay. Shopping with Phool meant two hours over a single thing and then coming home empty-handed. Roshni wished someone would save her. She sat in her bed checking her phone again and again. Phool saw that and said,
 " Are you waiting for his call? "
" What? No, No... Just...." Roshni got up to shut the door. 
She whispered something to Phool. Phool was in smiles all excited, " Can we go too?" 
"No." Came a stern reply. 

 Pratap was now determined to find out what was wrong between his parents. He used his key to sneak into his parent's empty apartment. Vishal kept a vigil outside. Dadi was in the plan too as she kept Jaivanta busy teaching her to make a new dessert. The well-furnished apartment was a broken home. His parents stayed in separate rooms across the hall. He tried to recollect some of their first fights. He could hear his mother sobbing and his father drunk and shouting. Why? He couldn't tell. 

 He went into his father's room. As he opened the door he stopped, his bedside table had a photo of a year-old Pratap smiling on his father's lap. He had never interacted directly with the man for as long as he remembers. Things were always given to him without asking and talks were always done by Dadi and Jaivanta. He had admitted to Roshni that he hated the man. Yet the only photograph in his room was his son's. They love you. Roshni's voice echoed in his head. 

 He picked up his phone from his pocket and called. Roshni was startled at the first ring and she picked up.
" Say." She whispered.
" Am in." He whispered back.
" Where?" She asked with a frown.
" Daa... Mr Singh's bedroom!" Pratap breathed in.
" You could tell your father!" Roshni snapped.
" Yeah, whatever." He shrugged.
" What did you find?" Roshni asked eagerly.
" A photo of me." His voice sounded guilty.
Roshni smiled. " And?"
" Am still looking." He looked around the prim and proper room.
" Okay, keep the phone." Roshni shook her head.
" Hey..." Pratap stopped her.
" What?" She asked again.
" I love you."
" Umm... Yeah... Phool is here.... too..." Roshni nodded awkwardly as Phool smiled.
" Am I on speaker?" Pratap asked, a little aware.
" Hell, No!" She sounded louder than usual.
"Thank God." He chuckled. 

 He searched the drawers and the cupboard. Then he headed towards the drawer of the wardrobe. There were some files, business papers mostly. He searched through them. Then he found another file, PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. He opened it, it was medical reports. Of a woman named Dheer. There were court case files as well with paper cuttings as evidence. One of them caught his attention. " Alleged affair and false promises of marriage." There was a fine paid to this woman. By his father. He checked the dates, it was a little before his fifth birthday. That's when the fights started. He took photos of the file on his phone. Then he came out, his face was all flushed out and Vishal asked, " What's wrong?" He looked at his friend blankly.
" Call off the mission." He sounded hurt.
 "What? Why?" Vishal frowned confused.
" Coz I can't go through this!" He ran towards the lift.
" Where are you going?" He called after Pratap.
" To Roshni's place." He almost choked.
" Let me go too, I need to pick Phool up." He insisted.

 Vishal being a little older now had a licence and he drove Pratap's car to Roshni's. He promised to drop Phool off and the trio could go out to lunch. Phool had a party in the evening and needed to visit the parlour. As they departed, Roshni waved from the balcony and came back to see Pratap sitting on her bed, his eyes cold as stone, lost in thoughts. 

 " Now tell me, did you find anything?" Roshni asked, sitting down beside him.
" No, I ... I think this is not right." he shook his head.
"Not right? Why?" Roshni frowned.
" Just not right." He looked away.
" You are hiding something, tell me. " Roshni held his hand and forced him to look at her.
" He had an affair... I saw papers... He wanted to marry her... he made false promises... she went to court for compensation for an abortion... and... and... I was five then... how could he do this to Maasa?" He was saying it all in a hurry, but the pain was no less.
" Calm down... Calm down..." Roshni patted him. " You know this woman?"
" Never heard of her." He shook his head.
" We need to find this woman!" Roshni said firmly.
" What? No, Roshni, we have come too far." Pratap got up and paced the room. "What will we ever achieve?"
" Yes, too far to look back, he cares for you, and Maasa... Remember when he met me? He was so happy." Roshni reminded him, "Can all of it be fake?"
" He pretends." Pratap was firm, "You don't know what men are capable of."
" No, how can you trust some woman you don't know and not your father?" Roshni retorted, "This just isn't right!"
" Yes, the court...." Pratap was stopped by Roshni's hand gesture.
" Tell me something, if a woman loves someone and wants to marry him why will she seek compensation?" Her question made him look up.
" You mean... she... for money?" Pratap frowned as she nodded.
" Maybe. Your father never talked about divorce with your mom..." Pratap nodded. She was right.  "Did he?" Pratap shook his head. Roshni was right, he had always wondered why his parents didn't separate. Maybe because of them being in the limelight or because his mother owned half the business, he assumed.
"So what do we do now?" He asked as Roshni got up to face him. "Find the woman."
 He called an agent of his father's. " I need information on a person, this is confidential." 
 He finished the call and saw Roshni standing on the balcony.
" What's wrong?" He asked observing her face.
" I was thinking.... how many years you wasted hating him... what if you are wrong?" her question startled him a little. He shook off the heavy feeling and cleared his throat.
" Leave all that, you went shopping?" He asked with a slight smile.
" No Phool had a party to go to, maybe tomorrow." Roshni shrugged, aware that he was avoiding the topic.
" Can I take you shopping Ma'am?" He bowed like a prince, making her laugh. 
" You and shopping?" She asked surprised.
" Yes, So?" He looked at her pretending to be offended.
" Nothing ... I was Just..." She fumbled. He laughed.
" I like the way I scare you."
" No, You never scare me!!"
" Liar."

 Hansa interrupted. " Will you have lunch here, Beta?"
" No Mausi. Vishal will be coming soon, can we take Roshni with us?"
" Sure if she wants to go..." Hansa smiled as Roshni nodded.
" Can I go shopping too?" She asked.
" Shopping? Wasn't Phool supposed to do that?" Hansa frowned.
" Yes... Umm... he wants to go...." Hansa nodded. 

 Vishal called to inform them that he is stuck with Phool and can't make it. Pratap was visibly happy. He had never gone out alone with her. Their friends always tagged along.
" What happened? Why are you smiling?"
" Vishu can't make it."
" Why?" Roshni asked.
" Phool." He chuckled. " God save him!"
" Then??"
" Then it's you and me Madam! We will get an auto to the mall." Pratap smiled.
" You and auto?" She looked surprised.
" I can even walk if you want." he smiled.
"Let's get an auto. But first I want food,  I am hungry." Roshni sighed.
" Chinese?" His question was followed by a happy nod from her. 
" I am gonna get ready, you wait downstairs."
" Why?"
" Coz I will change of course."
" Why don't I sit here and pretend not to look?" His grin embarrassed her.
" Enough now, go!" She ordered. Shutting the door behind her she smiled. Now what to wear?? 
Downstairs an impatient Pratap waited. This was like the first date they never had... he had been thinking of asking her out but he dreaded she would bring Phool into the plan again. This time they were alone. He was excited as he paced the room, looking at the stairs and waiting. 

 Her footsteps made him turn. She wore a long Anarkali salwar, all white and she looked nothing less than an angel. She had tied her hair with a clip and wore a very small earring, with the bangles his mother gave. He looked at her wide-eyed, head to toe and back, making her blush.
"Let's go." she smiled.
" One minute." Pratap leaned in as Roshni skipped a heartbeat.
" What?" She looked embarrassed.
" Your hair," he said softly, looking into her eyes.
" What's wrong?" He leaned forward, making her heart skip a beat. What is he doing?
He untied her hair. " That's better, Let's go." He dragged her by the hand out of the house as she smiled. He was looking for an empty auto. She stood behind him with a smile... Roshni, stop thinking stuff!! At last, they found an auto and they got in. As the auto started, her hair blew over his face.
" Ohh am sorry!" She apologized, removing it from his face. 
"It's okay." He smiled as her hands rubbed his face. 

 The song " Teri Ore" was playing in the auto. Roshni looked out from her side. With a little hesitation, Pratap placed his arm around her shoulder while he too looked away. A smile curved on her face, as she moved a little closer to him, making sure he could hold her properly. Not a word was exchanged, both looked away, drowning in the lyrics of the song, as his hand rubbed her shoulder, giving her goosebumps. This was the magic she had read and heard about. She wondered. This is the girl fate made me bump into, he thought. Both looked at each other and smiled.
READ STORY HERE


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chapter Five: Saved

The next time Swadhin opened the door with starched rice and mashed potato in a bowl he found the previous day’s food across the floor, ants feasting on it. The balm however had been used. His eyes fell on the darker corner of the room and Abhaya was half sitting, her knees crouched to her chest and eyes closed. For a moment Swadhin was scared. Was she breathing? He put the steaming bowl of rice down and approached her carefully. He was about to put his finger near her nose to check when his eyes involuntarily travelled to her chest moving slightly up and down. Swadhin could breathe again. It was then that Abhaya came out of her trance to see him leaning close to her. She screamed. Her voice was muffled as Swadhin in a reflex put his hand over her lips. “Don’t.” He said, alarmed. “You will be slapped again.” Her eyes were wide at his plea. She struggled to get his hand off her mouth as he said again, more firmly. “I am letting go of the hand, but you won’t scream. I brought you food. Y
Post a Comment
Read More

Chapter Six: Nemesis

A widow was forgotten by society. It was both a boon and a curse. Kalyani managed to hide her face in her soiled Thaan draped around her sweaty body as she looked up at the horizon. She had been walking for a day now, begging for food and water. She was sure her family did not survive the fire and attack. Whoever did it to them she was not sure they were wrong. The only people she shed tears for were Abhaya and Niranjan. She felt guilty about not feeling sad. But she was saved by God’s grace. Everything had a reason, and she needed to find hers. She was supposed to stay the night at one of the village gatherings of the Baishnavs chanting the names of Radha, Krishna and Chaitanya through the night. There was chaos in the peace of the temple complex when she overheard about a fire in a police van. Alarmed, she stepped out of the premises to rush back home only to find the house in flames. She could see a group of men clad in dark clothes come out of the back door and as she hid behind th
Post a Comment
Read More

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 quite in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just 16 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 Si
1 comment
Read More

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in 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 Gujarat. " Dajiraj 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. Ajabde was making a sweet dish 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. " Ajabde Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabde walked up
Post a Comment
Read More

You Deserve More

Ajabde woke up with the song of birds as she felt something warm clinging to her hand. Her eyes went wide. Her hand was on the pillow in between, between his hands, clasped as he slept. She thought of removing it slowly but he was holding it so tight. Ajabde's heart beat faster and faster. What do I do now? How do I not wake him? What if... why is my hand in his? She was utterly confused.   " Am I..." In love? Pratap was staring at the sleeping figure on his bed as he again looked back at the rain. Then he looked back frowning as she shivered. He closed the windows of the room, to make it cosy then sat on his side of the bed. A lamp flickered on her side like always and he stared at her sleeping figure as he put his blanket over her as well. She shifted a little in her sleep to make herself cosy again. Her payals and bangles made a rhythmic sound breaking the silence of the room. Her hand was out of her blanket and on the pillow in between. He tried to slowly put it in th
8 comments
Read More

Vows

Pratap was staring at the Havan Kund that was lit up for the wedding as he sat in the mandap doing the Ganesh Puja. Two days and so many rituals he had to do. All he knew was like an obedient and ideal son he had followed every ritual his mothers and the Panditji told him to do. They said he didn't understand the significance of many rituals now, he would later on. He didn't actually care. All he wanted was to get over the wedding really fast so that he could consider the other important things in life. Did I just think others are important? No, the most important. The Turk Invader was surely going to use his diversion for his own profit. Somehow he could read Akbar's mind too well. He had been teased beyond his imagination by Shakti as Chakrapani accidentally told him about the Mandir incident. He swore to make his friend pay once when he was back home.   " She is here." Hansa Bai's voice made him look up as people stared to his right. Ajabde's hands and
3 comments
Read More

F A T E

The sun was about to set on the western horizon. The sky was now a palette of red, yellow and orange across the vast blue canvas, with occasional clouds around the setting crimson disk between the hills of the Aravallis. Lake Pichola reflected the colours of the sky, on itself like a mirror. The boats rowed on it. Tourists, artists, photographers, honeymoon couples… enjoying the beauty and serenity of the sunset. Further, eastward somewhere up near Bhilwara, the waterfalls reflected the colour of the red sky as though blood streamed down to the pool below. The gentle breeze blew sweeping aside the unmanned hair from the face of the lone being that stood there, watching the water create ripples on the pool and reflect the sky. The Bhimlat was quiet, except for the turbulence of her heart and the waterfall. Do you still remember the sunsets?  “Do you remember how you loved the sunsets?”He smiled watching the sun ready to go home for the day, from the private boat he was sitting in t
Post a Comment
Read More

Eternally Yours

Ajabde woke up to find neither the pillow nor the husband beside her. That was really unusual. Has she overslept? No, it was dark and the first birds were singing. She sat up to find that he had neatly arranged the pillows and made his side of the bed and put his blanket over her. She checked the changing room. No, he was not there, but unlike other days his clothes were not in a mess. She freshened up and reached the dressing table. His brooch was not there. Where is he? Has the war... Her heart skipped a beat. What if he had left and not even woken her up? " Daasi? Daasi?" She called as one of them walked in. " Ji Kuwaranisa?" " Where is Kunwarsa?" " He left early in the morning for Dangal and then a visit to the village. Do you need anything?" " No, You may go now." She put on the sindoor in a worry. Maybe something urgent has come up. She walked to the Puja room and was shocked. Her garlands were made, the Chandan was in place and
7 comments
Read More

Chapter Four: Imprisoned

Abhaya was thrown into a room without windows and the doors were chained shut. It was dark and damp and the walls smelled of gathered dust. She could sense the chains being locked as she heard voices outside. She tried to get up but her bruised knees and weak body failed her. She stumbled on the cold stone floor to notice the mattress on one side and a pot of water on the other. What were they going to do to her? Was she the only one here? Where were her parents? In the Summer heat also she felt a shiver in her body. She briefly remembered her house up in flames, the bottles of kerosene being thrown at the open windows. Torches around the house, chanting slogans. The screams of the women. The last time she saw her elder brothers was when they picked up the pistols and canes from around the house. She realised her father was not home when she ran down the corridor towards the chaos, her heart on her throat. The loud sound of the car burning and the screams of her mother made her freeze.
Post a Comment
Read More

Secrets of the Hearts

Kunwar Pratap opened his eyes to catch a glimpse of Ajabde. She was sitting on the chair in front of the dressing table, filling her hairline with the sindoor. She looked freshly bathed and so serene in the light of the dawn, he stared with a smile meandering on his lips. He didn't get up or make her aware of his watchful eyes, but Ajabde seemed to feel it as she blushed slightly before putting on her dupatta and walking into the Puja Room without looking at him, although fully aware that his eyes followed her.   He dressed up as she finished her puja and he was heading out as she frowned. Usually, he waited to take her prasad and tell her the agenda for the day. He stopped at the door, aware of her confusion.   " I am going to Ranima, I will be back to take Prasad and my Dagger. " He smiled back as she nodded, keeping her Thaal as she went to place his dagger, sword and brooch right where he needed them to be. He stepped into Ranima's puja Ghar to find Hansa Bai and
9 comments
Read More