Fun Times

Ajabde was up at dawn to do her daily puja. She was making a garland and humming a tune to herself. After many days of emotional turmoil, she was happy. Kunwar Pratap stepped into the mandir silently, making sure he didn't startle or interrupt her. He sat down beside her, the thaal of flowers between them. She stopped singing and got up.
" Kunwarsa?" She was acting displeased. "I told you I won't meet till the sagaai..."
" Ohho, Ajabde, I'm not here to meet you. For your information, this is a puja ghar. I can come here anytime I want ... To pray." He had this victorious smile on his face, teasing her.
" Kunwarsa, I know very well that is not the only reason you are here..."
" Accha?" He stared at her, forcing her to stare back at him before she looked away.
" Then tell me, Ajabde, why am I here?"
He moved towards her, scaring her a little. She moved away a few steps.
" Kunwarsa, this is a temple. And we are not engaged."
" So? I was checking that box behind you. What did you think?" He let out a chuckle. Ajabde went red and gulped. She found her way past him out of there with her lota in hand. He followed her through the corridors into the garden adjoining the arena. She was offering water to the tulsi as he stood begin her hands folded. She started moving around the Tulsi manch, and he followed suit. Irritated Ajabde tried very hard to ignore him, but a smile crept up on her face, making things easier for him. She stopped.
"Kunwarsa, what are you doing?"
" Ajabde, you saw we just took seven rounds together?" Ajabde blushed red.
" Kunwarsa, why are you doing this?"
" So that you quit your hopes of keeping me away from you for the week."
" That won't happen."
" Really? Then what are you doing here, Ajabde? With me talking to me?"
" You followed me here."
She was about to leave when Raoji interrupted.
"Kunwarsa, you won't practice today?"
" Yes, yes, Kunwarsa, go do your own work," Ajabde whispered to him with a taunting smile, sure that he would have to leave her alone now.
" You are challenging Kunwar Pratap Singh, Ajabde Punwar, you will see..." He whispered back, scaring her as Raoji approached them. Ajabde touched her father's feet.
" Saubhagyavatibhaba. Kunwarsa..."
" Raoji Ajbade is not taking her lessons seriously." Ajabde looked at him with wide eyes.
" What? Ajabde, is that so? You are not learning properly..." Before Ajabde could defend herself, Kunwar Pratap interrupted.
" No, Raoji. Since we arrived, I have not seen her practice even once. I was telling her to practice with me now, but she is so arrogant... " He smiled, knowing his job was done.
" Silence... Do as Kunwarsa says... How dare you refuse him? Go get ready and go to the arena..." Raoji was soft yet stern. Ajabde looked up, angry at a victorious Pratap.

At the arena, he was setting up dummies when he heard her payal and turned. He smiled at her eyes, which clearly showed anger.
" Come practice with the dummies."
" You know I practice everything religiously."
"Of course I do."
" Then why did you tell Daata..."
" You don't know why?"
She picked up her sword." You want to play games, Kunwarsa... Let's play."
She pointed her sword at him as he picked up his amused expression.
" Be careful, Ajabde, I don't want a broken bone by my future wife on my sagaai itself." He replied, amused. " Am so scared!'' Ignoring his taunt, she swung her sword. He defended it. Then he attacked her, sitting on his knee... She jumped up to avoid being hurt on her legs. Her payals were adding music to the duel. Their swords clashed as he still sat on one knee. He pulled at her dupatta, and it fell on his face. She let out a laugh as he freed himself from it.
" This is cheating." He said as swords clashed again. He was up on his feet, facing her.
"What?"
" Your dupatta, your payal, they make me lack concentration."
" Well, then they can help on the battlefield too..." They were moving as they spoke. Attacking and defending.
" Ajabde Baisa, everyone is not a fan of your dupatta and payal like me." She gave a smile as she pushed him against a pillar with her sword.
" Am I too strong today, or are you not paying attention, Kunwarsa?"
He answered with the sword. He whirled it up and hit her sword in such a way that it fell from her hand. She took out her knife.
" You are fighting a sword with a knife?"
"I am a Rajputani Kunwarsa ... I fight till death." She replied.
" No, Ajabde." He stopped. " I pray you never have to fight as long as I am there." His words made her stop as well, and she nodded, " I know I will never need to fight with you around. But when you fight with me, you will have to sort it out with the sword." She smiled. "Done!" He agreed.

Kunwar Shakti came into the arena and was stunned to see them there. Ajabde quickly picked up her dupatta and put it on her face.
" Bhai Shakti, come, let's have a duel."
" Really, Dadabhai? It seems like you lost to Ajabde Baisa today. I would rather fight her instead." He joked. Kunwar Pratap was in protest.
"No, no, I didn't lose. Am the one who dropped her sword."
"But she took out the knife, and you quit. So you lost. "
" Bhai... How do you know that? Where were you hiding?" Pratap scrutinised him. Ajabde walked away, embarrassed.
" Behind that pillar!" He answered as he got a pat from Pratap.
The elders were sitting at dinner discussing guest lists and dresses when Jaivanta Bai asked, " What colour dress do you want?" Addressing Ajabde. Pratap thought it was for him as both replied, " Red and green." Then looked at each other, shocked. Chakrapani and Shakti were the first to laugh at the embarrassed duo, followed by everyone, as Ajabde walked out with the excuse of bringing more food, and Pratap resumed eating. Hansa Bai looked at a happy Jaivanta Bai, who said, "See, they are like each other's shadow. A match made in heaven."

Back in Chittorgarh, Rani Dheerbai was writing an apology letter to Udai Singh, hoping to be invited back for the sagaai. She had to clean up her mess before it was too late, and Samant Putri won.

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...

RAABTA

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