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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, am not here to meet you. For your information this is 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 back.
" 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 asRaoji 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.
" 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 you are 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?"
" 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 as 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 scrutinized 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 the Samant Putri won.


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  1. Adora ThangjamThursday, June 25, 2015

    FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSaturday, June 27, 2015

    Wonderful!! Waiting....waiting.... For the next part

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuranyaSaturday, June 27, 2015

      My lappie was down hence slowd down my update pace, promising regular updates tomorrow onwards....

      Delete

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