RAABTA

A six-year-old girl had sneaked into the private royal garden with her best friend. Afternoons were usually the time the guards dozed off on their benches and time for a child's freedom. She was dancing around the garden twirling her frock. A ten-year-old boy interrupted their merriment. " Chaks you are here!" Her best friend gushed as he handed her some chocolates from his pocket. He then offered one to the dancing girl.  " Am 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 Ajab stood like a statue before Jaivanta. She came forward and patted her head, "You are Hansa's daughter?" " Ji... Ranisa." She nodded, awkwardly. " You are a pretty little princess. " She smiled as Ajabde looked up.  " What's your name princess?" " Ajabde Punwar." She bowed quickly. Jaivanta smiled, " Y

The Maharana Pratap International Airport, Udaipur airport was bustling with activities. Foreign tourists, Indian Tourists, Local people, Cars, trolleys, Hotel Buses were everywhere. 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 jeans, Blue teeshirt and pink sneekers, a bagpack ( pink and black cheetah print) on her shoulders and a pink trolley in had. Her long hair was let lose as her shades acted like a hairband. She looked around to find a cab. " Bhaiya Suniye... Cab?!" She asked a man. " Sorry Madam today we have cab strike!" The man shook his head. " Shit!" Chewing the gum, she looked around, then dialed " Papa". Noone picked up. " Shit Shit Shit!" Ajabde Punwar, 21, was just like any other normal college student from Delhi. Only she was not from Delhi. She was daughter to a manager of a small princely state of Su

" 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'

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 all smiles. She hated that victorious smile. " Kuwaranisa, Ohh you are so naive. I feel so bad for you!" Ajabde's smile turned to a 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, am sure Ranima had done this thinking of me only. I am very happy

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 Solankhini 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 Shakti was telling me

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 gorgeous

Dheerbai was walking down the corridor of the Ranimahal when she spotted a messenger walking towards Rana Udai Singh’s chambers. He had a letter in hand. Dheerbai rushed to stop him. “ Whose letter is this?” “ Ranisa, this letter is for Ranaji from Maharanisa. She has specially instructed not to hand this over to anyone except Ranaji.” “ Ranaji is in his vishraam Kaksh now. And am sure Jija won’t mind if I took it. “ But Ranisa.” The messenger was reluctant. “ What is the matter, Dheer?” His voice startled her as the messenger bowed to him handing over the letter. He took it and walked into his room followed by Dheerbai. “ Hey eklingji!” Udai Singh exclaimed as though he couldn’t believe what he read. Dheerbai took the letter and read: Khamma Gani Ranaji, I was on my way to Bijolia when I was summoned by Bhai Sa’s sudden urgent message to Bundi. Heer was missing. If the Daasis were to believe, she had fled. I send Pratap looking for her and it was extremely shock

At dawn, the Bhil women took the girls to the Kalika Mata Temple and the Jal Kund. Dressed in white a nervous Heer followed everything Ajabde knew and did, trying to explain the significance of the rituals to her. They prayed to Lord Ganesh. Kunwar Shakti and Kunwar Pratap were staying at Punja Ji's place as they were not supposed to see the brides before the wedding. Ajabde was dressed in her mother's lehenga, a mang tika Jaivanta Bai gave her as a family heirloom and the simple nosering Pratap had gifted. They made their hair into a simple bun with wildflowers before putting on her dupatta. Heer was dressed in traditional Bhil jewellery of silver and beads that the women had gifted her. They made her wear a red and white saree draped as a lehenga and a red chunri with it. She looked like a pretty colourful Bhil bride. Kunwar Shakti was a nervous groom dressed in a traditional bhil dhoti, kurta and cap. The bhil shawl hung from a side, making the white attire colourful. K