Skip to main content

Engaged to Love

At dawn, Ajab de was singing her favourite Bhajan to the Lord when Hansa Bai came and sat with her. The palace was decorated well for the Sagaai, and Hansa Bai's eyes teared up at the thought of losing her favourite daughter.

" What's wrong, Maa Saa?"
" Nothing, Ajabde. I was thinking it's only a matter of time before you go to Chittor and I will never hear you sing again." She sobbed as Ajabde hugged her.
" I will come back to visit you, Maa sa...."
" Only in Pak Fera and on occasions, and when you have children. That's the rule of the Royal Family, you cannot come here when you want. "
" She is my daughter, Hansa, and if she wants to meet you, I can assure you that no rule will stop her. "Jaivanta Bai interrupted the mother-daughter moment with a smile.
" I know, Jaivanta, I will not worry about her because I know you will be there."
" Hansa, Yu should not worry as long as Kunwar Pratap is there for her." His name made Ajabde blush as she walked past them and to her room.

Ratan was busy with a hundred options for her Jija's Sagaai. Not every commoner married the crown prince. She had to do something special. Hansa Bai made Ajabde sit down and applied Chandan on her to make her already glowing face glow more. Jaivanta Bai came in worried.
" Ranaji has called Dheerbai; she is arriving at the Sagaai soon." Everyone's faces were gloomy when Ajabde smiled, "Of course, Choti Maa has to come to bless her favourite son." Her smile and confidence made Jaivanta less worried.

As they got Ajabde ready in her crimson red chunri and green lehenga, Sajja Bai decided to do a Nazar Uthran of Mewar's Kuwarani.
" I think we need to save Ajabde from Kunwarsa's eyes only. She is looking so beautiful, he will only stare at her." Sajja Bai's comment made everyone laugh, and Ajabde blushed red.

In a room at the far end of the corridor, Kunwar Pratap was wearing his turban, helped by Chakrapani.
" You are making him wear the turban, Chakrapani. Look at the smile he is wearing today. "
Kunwar Shakti chuckled as Kunwar Pratap stopped smiling and looked at him sternly.
 "You are next, Bhai Shati, we will see what you do!"
" True, Kunwarsa, the first time I am seeing a man so happy to get married. " Chakrapani joined in.
" Aree... stop talking, you two, and help me get ready,  I'm late." Pratap tried to ignore their glances as Veni and Bheem laughed.
" So Kunwar Pratap is so eager for the Saagai." Everyone was shocked as Udai Singh joined the group. Pratap was stunned.
" Daajiraaj, you also!" He replied, shocked.
" Come, Kunwarsa, I need to talk to you." Everyone else left immediately.
" Kunwar Pratap, you are soon going to start a new life, and I want to tell you something really important today.... " Pratap waited in silence.
" I have seen that in many ways, Ajabde is like your Ranima. Her ideals, morals, and self-respect are all like Jaivanta Bai ji. I had always tried to understand her in vain; I know I displeased her a lot. I was married to her when I was your age, and since then, the only happiness we shared was you. " Pratap was stunned at his father's words. Everything he said was known, but he never expected his father to actually say those.
" Always keep Ajabde pleased and give her priority among all your alliances. I failed your Ranimaa. But I know you are more like her than me. And Pratap, I am sorry, as a father, I didn't listen to you first; no one could be better than Ajabde for you." Kunwar Pratap hugged his father with a smile. See, Ajabde, what you have done, you made Rana Udai Singh speak out to me....

Jaivanta Bai was shocked to see Rana Udai Singh share a smile and a hug with her son. She smiled, pleased as she broke the father-son moment, saying, " Come, Pratap, the Panditji is calling you to the hall. " Udai Singh nodded in approval as Pratap went out with Ranima. As Udai Singh sat lost in his thoughts, a guard came in and announced, "Rani Dheerbai is here, Ranaji."

Ajabde sat in her room, her hands going cold in nervousness. The guests had arrived mainly from her family, the Chittor and Jalore Royal Family, Jaivanta Bai's homeland. Bhago and Ratan came running in to inform, " Kunwarsa is at the hall and he looks so handsome." Sajja Bai smiled at Ajabde, who was blushing.
" He is handsome as always, he's my Dadabhai after all!" The voice made them turn as a beautiful girl, almost Ajabde's age, entered with Jaivanta Bai. Her lehenga and jewellery indicated she was a royal.
" Ajabde, this is Heer Kanwar, Pratap's cousin from Jalore."
" Bhabisaa!" She hugged a taken-aback Ajabde. Ajabde remembered Pratap talking of Heer to her once.
" Aree, let the vivah happen, then call her Bhabisa." Sajja laughed. Heer touched her feet.
" I have heard of you from Dadabhai, too." She gushed.

Kunwar Shakti was at the door.
" Panditji has called for Bhabisa." He said to his mother as his eyes fell on the stunning beauty beside her.
" Shakti, this is Rajkumari Heer Kanwar of Jalore."
" Kunwar Shakti Khamma Gani."
"Gani Khamma." Ajabde noticed a familiar smile on Shakti's face, a smile that could be genetic, she thought as she looked at Heer blushing. A smile curved Ajabde's face. Dheerbai entered the room, " I will take Mewar's future Kuwarani to the hall. "
"Of course, Dheerbai ji, since you are so happy with this sagaai." Jaivanta Bai's taunt made Hansa and Sajja smile at each other. Ignoring them, Dheerbai held Ajabde's stone-cold hands.
"Are you nervous already? What will happen when you have to welcome more wives of his with a smile, Ajabde?" Dheerbai whispered. Ajabde smiled. " It's just jitters, Chotima." Dheerbai was not impressed.

At the hall, amidst the mantras and the crowd chatter, he heard her Payals... and looked up. Her face hidden in a dupatta, she made her way to the hall, and a smile curved his face. He saw Dheerbai lead her and was a little bothered as he looked at his mother, who gave him an assuring nod.  A bail of water was kept between them as the Panditji instructed them to unveil her dupatta. Dheerbai stepped forward to do the honours, and her nervous face was unveiled as he looked at her reflection on the water. Then he looked into her scared eyes directly with a smile. His smile paced down her heartbeats, and she smiled back. Mantras were said, pujas were performed. Jaivanta Bai blessed Ajabde with traditional jewellery and clothes, and Raoji blessed Pratap with a sword and turban. After the puja, the cousins and friends decided to have some fun. They took the newly engaged couple to the room.

Kunwar Shakti was confused. He didn't know why he couldn't take his eyes off Heer throughout the ceremony and even in the halls. Her smile made him smile, and her voice made him skip a beat. What's happening to me?

Kunwar Pratap was waiting for a moment with Ajabde in private, but they were always surrounded by people.
Ratan and Heer were teasing Pratap, saying, "You should gift her something." 
Not being able to scold his sister, Pratap asked Ajabde, "What do you want?" as the others laughed.
" A promise."
" Promise?"
" Yes, Mewar will always be independent, promise me," came a soft reply, stunning everyone. He smiled with pride, " I promise you, Ajabde, as long as I live, Mewar will be independent." 
Heer frowned. " What is this, Bhabisa? You had the opportunity to ask for anything!"
Shakti smiled, " She is Dadabhai's reflection!" 
Heer looked at him with a smile that stopped his world as Ajabde looked at the duo and then at Pratap, who was looking at Chakrapani helping Bhagwati with the flower on her hair.

That night, Ajabde stood on her balcony, looking at the rain, lost in thought. After a few more days at her home, the thought made her sad. A creak of the door made her turn as she looked at Pratap walk in, looking back to check if someone saw him.
" You?"
" Ajabde..."
" We need to talk." Their voices together stunned each other.
" You first", She replied.

" I don't know why Chotima is here, but I am sure she will trouble you." He sounded worried. " I ..."
" Don't worry about me, Kunwarsa, I will not make the same mistakes again. " She assured him as he held her hand.
 "Now my turn!" She was excited.
" Say... what's the news...."
" Kunwar Shakti... did you notice him at the ceremonies?"He was lost.
"Did you see Heer Kanwar Baisa?"
" Behena? Ajabde, you are confusing me."
" I think Kunwar Shakti likes her!" Her smile was cut short by his laughter.
"Bhai Shakti? He is never interested in girls!"
" Were you always interested in girls?" Her question shocked him.
" No... I...."
" I don't know how you did not notice him at the ceremony. He has your smile...."
"I didn't know you were busy noticing them when all your attention should have been towards me. " He stepped towards her with a teasing smile. " And now, the sagaai is also done, you know!" She skipped a heartbeat.
" Kunwarsa!"
He stepped forward and unveiled her dupatta. Then her scared eyes made him smile as he stepped back and said, " Subhratri." He left his bride smiling as he dashed to his room.





Popular posts from this blog

Purnota: Chapter Thirty One

“Please, Sir, we were going to show the evacuation notice to the lawyer.” The older man with a salt and pepper beard and a bald head pleaded with the Judiciary official, who handed him a paper of illegal occupancy. The NGO stood on the ground of the property that belonged to the Bhowmicks. Their lawyer, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, had sent a notice of warning and evacuation that the NGO did not pay heed to. The man in charge looked least concerned at the plea of the older man. His hands were folded, eyes teary, as the men who came with the Bull Dozer to knock down the one-storey house with thatched roof broke down the board of the NGO.  “Why did you not show the notice then?” The man rebuked in a gruff voice. “Because we thought it was some mistake.” Another man, relatively younger and calmer, came forward from the crowd that stood there watching as he spoke. “We got the land as a gift from Mr. Bhowmick some eleven years back to make the school for the orphans.” “Then where is the dee...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Two

Bondita got down from the local train with a duffle bag and her hoodie tied around the waist of her dark green Kurti, which she teamed with white leggings and a white dupatta. The weather at Canning seemed hotter and humid than Chandannagar, and at first glance, Bondita spotted the spring blooms of Krishnachura painting the tree at the station red. She picked up her bag and looked around the crowded station. Someone was supposed to come and get her. She dragged her bag through the crowd and finally reached the gates. The rickshaws, vans and small autos were shouting out names of different places, names that appeared like images in her memories. “Bondita Malkin?” She turned to see a woman in a checked printed saree worn above the ankle with a Ghomta over her head and the Anchol tied to her waist. Bondita nodded as the woman in her forties surprised her by touching her feet. Bondita jolted away in shock. “What are you doing?” She asked with raised brows as the woman took her duffel bag. ...

Purnota: Chapter Twenty Nine

“Boro Malik is waiting for you.” Bihari’s words made Aniruddha look confused. “He has something to talk about.” Aniruddha eyed the watch on his left hand; it was past dinner time. He stepped into the house to find voices in the living room. He walked in curiously and found Trilochon speaking to a guest. “There he is!” Before Aniruddha could answer Trilochon’s queries, his eyes fell on the guest. Saudamini stood up, turning to him with a formal smile. She looked different with the Sindoor and Shakha Pola, a Tant saree and a gold chain around her neck. Aniruddha was a little surprised to see her, and it showed on his face, perhaps as Trilochon briefed him that Mini was here to sell off the property belonging to her father and wanted some legal advice. Aniruddha nodded, smiling back at her as he directed her to the study. “Oh, Mini is here to sell off the house.” Bondita looked wide-eyed at Kalindi and shook her head. “Why did you not tell me that before? I will go see her now.” She was a...

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...

Purnota: Chapter Twenty Eight

“I… made tomorrow’s schedule.” Bondita cleared her throat. She was about to leave the study room after she had made the next day’s schedule for Aniruddha to check when he entered the house. He seemed preoccupied, as he did not notice her presence and walked towards the study room, only to stop at the threshold and spot her pretending to arrange the files. Aniruddha moved away from the threshold towards his desk, making space for her to leave as he removed his glasses and placed them down.  “You should take that job in Kolkata.” Bondita stopped but did not turn as he continued. “It's a good opportunity to make contacts in the High Court and get paid well.” Bondita’s throat dried as she did not respond. “Thamma can stay here, you can visit on weekends.”  He wanted her to leave; what more could she say? She walked away without exchanging any words. Aniruddha sat in the high chair, watching her leave as he sighed. He clasped his hands together, realising they were sweaty. He sudde...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Three

Aniruddha stepped out of his room, in a wrinkled Kurta, with a towel and toothbrush, to almost bump into Bondita, who was hurrying out of her room, trying to wear her watch on the go. He stopped before she barged into him and spotted her in one of Thamma’s Dhakai sarees. It was a white-on-white saree she had worn with a quarter-sleeved black blouse. Her hair was bunned with a claw clip, and she wore a small black Teep complementing her Kajol-drawn eyes. She looked slightly startled as she stopped at his dishevelled appearance and looked away at his stare. “Why are you…” He cleared his throat to do away with his morning groggy voice, “Dressed up?” Bondita shook her head at his words. “Because I have camp today, the NGO representative is waiting downstairs.” At her words, Aniruddha nodded and promptly held her wrist to check her watch. Bondita eyed his index finger and thumb, briefly brushing around her wrist as he suppressed a yawn. “But… It's 7 AM.” Bondita smiled, amused at his wo...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty

Bondita was up early when she heard Thamma in the washroom and did not wait for her alarm clock to ring. She stared at the clock, wondering when it would be a decent time to run to Saudamini’s house and knock. She even took out some chocolates from her purse to give to the child when she went to see her. She had so much to catch up on and apologise for. She had quickly dressed in a white Salwar Kameez, added a pearl stud to her ears and headed for Mini Didi’s old home, paying no heed to Kalindi lamenting about the mess in the bedroom. It felt like Deja Vu as she pressed the bell and waited in front of the green door before she heard footsteps on the other side. “Mini Didi!” Saudamini was startled by Bondita’s hug as soon as she opened the front door. “Bondita?” Saudamini held her by the shoulder, inspecting her with beaming eyes. “My God, Bondita!” She exclaimed. “How beautifully you have grown!” Bondita’s eyes fell on the boy, about twelve, staring at her with surprise as she let Sau...

Happy Ending

Dheer had a sleepless night. Yes, she had killed the Maharani, but to seek revenge for her son. Jagmal was all she had for a dream, and Rana Pratap's first decision was to banish him. He had never been that tough with his other brothers who went with Akbar, then why him? Just because he wanted to be a king? Just because they brought a false letter and bought a few witnesses? Her son died in Ajmer, so young. And she had always blamed Ajabdeh Punwar for Rana's hard decision. After all, ever since she came as a support for Jaivanta Bai, she had been like his shield, even though creating misunderstandings didn't help Dheer Bai Bhatiyani. Ajabdeh had done the impossible, showing him the real face of his Chotima. What bothered Dheer now was whether he remembered anything, and most importantly, if she did. Dheer had turned pale at the song and smile Pratap gave, but if he knew she had killed Ajabdeh, it meant Survi remembered her walking to a dying Ajabdeh and confessing that ...

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 Five

“The bride is older than the groom.” Aniruddha heard one of the older villagers speak in a judgmental tone. “No wonder the higher castes don’t attend such atrocities.” He eyed the younger man he was talking to, who smiled. Aniruddha was sitting beside them on a bench in the open courtyard of a house where the wedding rituals were taking place. Tirio and Tumdak were playing rhythmically in a corner as some women danced to the tunes surrounding the new bride and groom. The men sat on the other side of the courtyard.  “Forget about the Brahmins, we don’t expect them to come.” The younger man shook his head. “As for traditions, what is wrong if the bride is older?” He smiled sheepishly at the older man. “What’s wrong? Everything. Master Moshai, you can be educated, but our ancient traditions have reasons. The groom must be older than the bride. It has some reason.” He shook his head. The teacher, in turn, educated the man that it was a perfectly normal Santhali ritual to marry older wo...