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Surprises

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were at the main entrance of the Mahal. Hansa Bai came out with Jaivanta Bai eager to see Ajabde. Hansa Bai hugged her daughter in happiness.
"How could you leave without telling me, Ajab?"
" Am sorry Maa sa... It won't happen again. I promise."
"Where is Chotima?" Pratap asked Jaivanta as Ajabde looked at him scared. He was angry. God knows what he would say.
" She left for Chittor after a tiff with Ranaji. Kunwar Shakti is here with Chakrapani and Bhagwati."
" Bhai Shakti?"
" Ji Dadabhai... I was missing you all too much, especially Maa Sa." Sajja gave a weird smile and stopped at Shakti's glare. Her son had warned her against smiling like that.
Ajabde went to her room with her mother and hugged Ratan tight.
" Maa so did you tell her?" Ratan's face was serious. She turned to her mother who was fondling baby Balwant.
" No... I...."
" Tell me what?"
"Daata fixed your marriage. Apparently, the insult and your running away made him feel you should better get out of this situation. It's another samant family..." Ajabde was stunned. She looked at her mother helplessly.
" I am sorry but I tried to reason with him." Hansa Bai explained.


"What?? Marriage?" Pratap was stunned as Jaivanta broke the news. She also informed him that the groom's family would fix the dates that day only.


Ajabde stood at the roof sad and unmindful as he walked in. She didn't turn towards him.
"Ajabde..."
"There is nothing left to talk of Kunwarsa. Please leave."
" Am not leaving and you know that very well." He was visibly angry. " Whoever this person is I will talk him out of marrying you."
" No..."
"No??"
" You know my Daata had received enough insults for me. Not anymore." Her determination stunned him as he walked away angrily saying " Fine... Be unhappy!"
She wiped away a silent tear...


That evening Hansa Bai and Jaivanta BAi were dressing up Ajabde in her best lehenga. Bhagwati and Sajja were helping.
" She looks pretty," Ratan concluded.
" She is so lucky to get such a good proposal Jaivanta," Hansa told her friend in happiness.
" No Hansa. He is lucky to have her." Their words were not registering in her brain as she remembered she wore this same lehenga at Bhagwati's wedding and he had loved her so much. Those stealing glances always caught her eyes. Those will remain in her memories forever.


Pratap was pacing in his room when Chakrapani walked in with an attire. "Ranaji send this ... Wear it and come to the hall... Ajabde's marriage..."
" Get out Chakrapani. Am not going anywhere." Pratap scared off Chakrapani.
"Dadabhai Daajiraj is calling you." Shakti stepped in. Pratap looked up at his brother.
" What is wrong with everyone?'' he asked angrily.
'' I said am not going there." Jaivanta walked in asking Shakti to leave. He gave a smile and walked away.
" Pratap..."
" No Ranima... I can't see Ajabde marry a stranger."
" Who said she is marrying a stranger.?"
" What do u mean?"
" We all know him. He is a perfect match for her."
" Know him? Who is he?" Pratap was stunned to see Ranima praise his competitor.
" There ... That's him." Jaivanta smiled pointing to the mirror.
" Where... I can't..." Realisation dawned as he looked at Ranima stunned.
" Are you serious? But how?" A delighted Jaivanta bai told him what happened after he had left. Pratap hugged his mother in joy.
" Does she know?"
"Not yet... Dress up now... Let's give her the surprise of her life..."


Ajabde walked in with her mother. Her face was hidden in the dupatta. There was a priest there looking at her Kundli. Kunwar Pratap came in, stared at her and smiled. She looked away thinking... Where were the guests?


" Baisa has a very good kundli. There is no problem I she gets married soon." Everyone was smiling including Pratap. His smile scared her.
" Kunwarsa's kundli please Maharanisa..."
" Surely Panditji, after all, marriage is for two people."
Ranima's words stunned Ajabde as Ratan whispered to her... " surprise"
She still couldn't believe the what How and when as he smiled at her.
" Next week will be perfect for the Sagaai."
Everyone was happy. They took the elder's blessings and hugged their friends and siblings. She was in her room with the queens and her mother who were happy that their surprise plan worked.
Kunwar Pratap was about to walk in when he hid himself noticing the elders there. She Sa his reflection in the mirror. With a hand gesture, he told her to come out and she nodded no. They didn't realize the elders were smiling.
" Kunwarsa you?''
Sajja Bai stunned Pratap.
" Ha woh... I came to talk to Ranima." They all laughed.
" In Ajabde's room?" She blushed.


They left in silence as Ajabde blushed red.
" Why are you here?"
" I..."
" you knew everything didn't you?" She pointed her finger at him.
" What? No..!"
" Then why were you smiling?"
" ohh I knew then..."
"And you didn't bother to tell me..."
"When could I..."
" I was so worried so scared... I..."
"Hush" He put his finger on her lips to stop her and removed me amused at her.
" I am not talking to you till Sagaai."
" Aree..."
"No... Subhratri!" She turned away. He smiled and walked away telling " I will see how you don't meet or talk!"

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