RAABTA

"Get me the car, please, Kaka!" He kept his phone and turned to see her checking hers. A red Ferrari sports car drove up as the driver handed over the key to Pratap. Ajabdeh's eyes widened. " Woah!!! This is a cool man! You should mention having a car like this.  Pata hota to Kuch aur pehenti! " " No, what you are wearing is fine!" He opened the door for her.  " I can't believe this! " She gushed. " What?" He frowned as he sat at the wheel. " Wait, let me take a selfie!" He frowned at her some more. She uploads the picture on Instagram as she says aloud, " Hashtag(#) Palace #Royalty #Ferrari #outwithaprince #omg" He stares at her, amused, " Really? Out with a prince?" " Kyaa?" She raised her eyebrows. "My friends in Delhi are always like  Kaunsa Gaon mein  You stay gal! This is my chance to show off a little!" She shrugged. He shook his head, " I can't believe this!...

A six-year-old girl had sneaked into the private royal garden with her best friend. Afternoons were usually the time the guards slept; time for a child's freedom. She was dancing around the garden, twirling in her frock. A ten-year-old boy came running from inside. " Chaks!! You are here!" Her best friend gushed as she made an irritated face. He ignored her and handed her friend some chocolates from his pocket. He then offered one reluctantly to the dancing girl. " I'm too sweet for sweet!" She stuck out her tongue, making her friend laugh. " That you are!" An elder woman's voice behind them made Bhago and Chaks run as Ajabdeh stood like a statue before Ranisa Jaivanta Bai. She came forward and patted the child's head softly, " You are Hansa's daughter?" She exclaimed. "You look just like her." " Ji... Ranisa." Ajabdeh felt her heartbeat increase. What if she was scolded or worse, her father had to hear som...

The Maharana Pratap International Airport, Udaipur, was always a busy sight. Foreign tourists, local Tourists, Staff, Cars, trolleys, Hotel Crews and Buses. A statue of the National Hero Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar stood mounted on his favourite horse Chetak at the terminal. She stepped out, in her casual baggy denim jeans, Blue tee shirt and white sneakers, a pink and black cheetah-printed backpack on her shoulders and a pink trolley in hand. Her long hair was let loose as her shades acted like a hairband over her arched brows. She looked around to find a cab. "  Bhaiya Suniye... aree Cab kaha milega ?!" She asked a man. " Sorry Madamji  aj toh  taxi strike hai!" " Shit!" Chewing her gum, she looked around, then dialled " Papa". No one picked up the call. " Shit Shit Shit!"She shook her head.  You should make the right plans, Ajab. Ajabdeh Punwar was just like any other normal college student from Delhi. But she was not from Delhi. ...

" The Day Amar Singh was born, Mewar celebrated like it was Diwali. The palace was decorated and so was Ajabde's room, Amar was lying in a golden cot when I saw him for the very first time. He looked like my Pratap used to as a kid. Today, when I look at Amar I see a lot of Ajabde in him." Jaivanta Bai smiled at a beaming fourteen-year-old. " Ranaji too was so happy with Mewar's uttaradhikaar." Her smile faded at the memories. The differences started afterwards. " He was so happy that he founded the new capital that year only." She spoke up. " What about Daajiraj and Badi Ranima?" Kunwar Chand, nine, enquired. Solankhini and Jasobai interrupted the conversation. " Come now all of you, Kunwar Amar, Kunwar Chand, Kunwar Bhagwandas and Rajkumari it's late. Time for bed." Solankhini spoke. " Please Majhli maa. A little more. " Bhagwan Das, a five year old pleaded. " Haan Majhli Maa... let Dada bhai...