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. "Whoa!!! This is 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, a Blue tee shirt and white sneakers, a pink and black cheetah-printed backpack on her shoulders and a pink trolley in her 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...

" 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 old pleaded. " Haan Majhli Maa... let Dad...

The Ladies had reached the Rani Mahal early at dawn to prepare for the grand welcome. Ajabde was instructing the Daasis on the decorations. The Rani Mahal was well decorated with flowers and curtains handpicked by Ajabde herself. Dheerbai was walking through the corridors, seeing the beautiful royal decor. " This Samant Putri has a taste." She found herself praising Ajabde aloud. " Dhanyavaad Choti Ma." She was startled to find Ajabde standing behind her with a smile. She hated that victorious smile. " Kuwaranisa, Ohh, you are so naive. I feel so bad for you!" Ajabde's smile turned to surprise as she raised her eyebrows, " Ji?" " Haan, I feel so bad, here Jija didn't let you, the future Maharani of Mewar, stay in the Ranimahal, and she claims to treat you equally, and Rajkumari Heer Baisa gets a room in the Ranimahal." Ajabde smiled again, " Chotima, I'm sure Ranima had done this thinking of me only. I am very h...

Udai Singh was adjusting his turban when a smiling Sajja Bai entered to take something from the room. He smiled back at her, asking,  “ So Solankini Ji, are you happy now?” “ Ji Ranaji. This all still seems like a dream. “ “ Yes, seems like yesterday Kunwar Pratap and Kunwar Shakti used to run about the palace.” “ And fight!” She added.  “ They used to fight all day but could never stay away from each other.” “ Remember that time Shakti got hurt?” “ Kunwar Pratap cried more than him!” Jaivanta Bai smiled as she heard the conversation. “ These two are like each other’s shadows. Remember when five-year-old Pratap asked me what marriage was?” They all laughed at the memories. “ Yes, and Jija told him that some girl will come and be his friend forever and in exchange, you have to share everything with her.” “ And Kunwar Pratap!” Udai Singh Laughed. “ Pratap was wailing that he never shares anything with anyone except Bhai  Shakti.” “ And Kunwar Shak...

The Palace was decorated for the wedding, the guest rooms were filled with renowned guests, and the family was busy with the wedding preparations. Rana Uai Singh, Raja Surajmal and Rawatji sat discussing matters of the state with Kunwar Pratap. The Ranimahal was filled with the laughter and giggles of princesses, queens and noblewomen. Everyone was eager to meet Ajabde, keeping her busy since the morning. Heer sat pretty in a white and gold lehenga while Shakti wore a white dhoti. The Ranimahal was separated into two groups: the bride and the groom. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had made sure the royal tailor made dresses for every occasion, not only for the bride and groom but also for the newlywed Pratap and Ajabde. For Haldi, Ajabde was wearing a white lehenga like Heer's with a marigold yellow dupatta and pink borders. Pratap's white kurta had the same pink borders, and his turban matched his wife's dupatta. Ajabde wore her own wedding jewellery that made her look as gorgeou...