A Royal Affair

Jaivanta Bai was pacing her room as Sajja Bai sat confused. She was called in for some urgent meeting and yet the Maharani said nothing. She was lost in her thoughts.
" Sajja Behen, you know what happened today between Dheerbai, Ajabde and Heer?"
" No... I.... what's wrong Jija?"
" I overheard Pratap and Shakti speak about Dheerbai having an altercation with Heer."
" Ohh no... Jija..." Sajja Bai was clearly scared. Dheer was not a person to forgive and forget.
" I fear she may try to break the relationship. After all, Heer is Bundi Princess. She is my blood and family. "
" What should we do Jija?"
" I have a plan."

Heer's parents followed Jaivanta into Udai Singh's chamber.
" Our Rajpurohit ji has said we need to do the sagaai within two days or else it will be stopped for six months and Ranaji we do not want to Wai till the Alwar war." Udai Singh looked confused.
" Two days? But the wedding is in two days ..."
" Ranaji, am thinking let's do the sagaai today." Jaivanta Bai suggested.
" Yes, Ranaji we will get everything ready with Ajabde." Sajjabai was also convincing.
"Okay... So be it..."

Heer was sitting tense in her navy blue lehenga and maroon dupatta. It was happening so fast and suddenly. Ajabde was putting on the jewellery gifted to Heer by the family. She was dressed in a purple lehenga and adorned with a nose ring Ranima had gifted her. She looked like a newlywed herself.
" These jewellery are so nice Jija. I heard Chotima chose them. They have such amazing designs. Her choices are really good."
" Yes they are lovely." Unknown to them someone heard them from the corridor and smiled to herself. It will be easier than she thought.

In Shakti's room, he was getting ready in a maroon and golden sherwani and a traditional royal pagdi waited to be worn. Pratap was amused at his brother's nervous face.
" Remember this day. If you play any pranks on my wedding I won't spare you on yours. " he smiled.
" But Dadabhai you are older than me... You are not supposed to play pranks only younger siblings can." Came a smart reply.
" Don't worry I will put your Bhabisa up for it." They were sharing a light moment when Ajabde came in with a pin and a neckpiece for the groom.

As she stepped in both looked back at her and her eyes met his. They smiled. He was yet again mesmerized. She looked like a wedded bride in that nose ring. Only her dupatta was not on her head. Might have fallen off. His gaze was fixed on her as she walked up to Shakti and said " Majhli ma send me to make you wear these. Sit down Kunwarsa." He sat like an obedient child while she pinned the broach to his pagri. Pratap smiled at the scene. Eyes met again and she gave a soft nod like saying "Don't!"

Chakrapani came in to take Shakti. He walked out nervous as Ajabde turned to follow him out. Pratap caught her by the wrist.
" Aree... Kunwarsa... What...."
" You look beautiful."
" woh... Ranima... Heer... I need to..."
" You are acting like a wife already."
" What?" She asked surprised.
" Whenever we are alone you remember someone called or you have something."
" Kunwarsa, really? You need to talk of this right now?"
" Help me tie my pagri." He handed her the lavender cloth matching with his purple sherwani and sat down looking at her like a baby. She turned around and started making the pagri. His gaze followed her. She started talking with nervousness. About Laxmi and her newborn calves. He wore a smile. " There... Done!" She was about to leave when he caught her again.
" One moment." He was this close and Ajabde's heart skipped a beat. He put the dupatta on her head.
" there you go." He smiled at her nervous face.
" Ajabde...." Ranima's voice was in the corridor.
" Ranima... Kunwarsa... Ranima..." He smiled amused as she tried in vain to move away from his grip. He let go. She moved away and ran out. In a hurry, the payal from her left foot fell off. Pratap picked it up with a smile.

Jaivanta saw a really nervous Ajabde run out of Shakti's room and run to Heer's. She then saw her son walk out with a smile. His eyes met his mother's and his face turned awkward as he hurried away in the opposite direction. She smiled.

Ratan saw a nervous Ajabde and asked confused. " What happened Jija?"
" Nothing... " Heer just smiled.
" They are calling." Bhago came in as they walked out with Heer. The hall was full of people. They had come for a wedding and this was an additional treat. As they walked in Pratap smiled at Ajabde who looked away. The bride and groom were made to sit together and the mothers did their aarti. Dheerbai took out the kangan and gifted it to Heer who was very happy. An alarmed Shakti looked at a worried Pratap and then at Ajabde. She smiled as if to say "Stop worrying".
" Come Ajabde, do their aarti." Sajja insisted. Ajabde did their aarti as Pratap smiled.
" Now give her shagun Shakti..." Sajja told her son.
" Tell me what you want Bhabisa."
" Just be there when I need you, like a protective brother for his sister."
" Bhabisa you didn't need to ask me for that."
" Kunwarsa give shagun." Ajabde turned to Pratap surprising him.
" What? To you?" His words made everyone laugh.
" To Heer. That I gave you..."
" Yes yes..." Pratap gave Heer a wrapped piece of red cloth.
" See Ajabde knows every ritual so well." Jaivanta praised.
" That she does." Pratap seemed to speak before thinking of embarrassing himself as everyone laughed. Heer opened the gift. It was one of Ajabde's jewellery she had liked." Jija, this is yours."
" Bhabisa don't give her your jewelry." Shakti protested.
"It's our affection for her Shakti. Take it, Heer ." Pratap insisted as Ajabde nodded. Dheerbai fumed at this bond as everyone smiled at it.

The sagaai havan started and Pratap sat beside Shakti facing Ajabde who sat with Heer. His eyes met hers and smiled. He gestured saying, " You want to do this again?"His eyes were enough to speak his mind. Ajabde's eyes widened as if to say " Kunwar Pratap!" And she looked away. But then looked back again at him and smiled. Everyone noticed the duo exchanging smiles.

After the rituals, they all sat in a room while the elders went to rest.
" The hall was so beautifully decorated it was like a wedding hall." Chakrapani complimented.
" yes. So beautiful." Heer agreed.
" Why waste the decor then? Let's get them married now only!" Shakti pointed at Ajabde and Pratap as everyone laughed. " yes. Yes." Chakrapani agreed.
" Pandit Chakrapani Mishra. I had no problem getting married early. Your father only stalled it." Pratap's point made everyone except Chakrapani laugh and Ajabde left embarrassed with the excuse of bringing sharbaat.

She was standing on the rooftop when she realised her payal was missing.
" Hey Eklingji where did it go?" She searched in the moonlight.
" Are you looking for this?" His voice made her look up. He was standing with the payal in hand.
" You... How did you..."
" it fell off when you ran out of the room." He smiled.
" Then why didn't you give it back?"
" Infront of Ranima?" Her nervous face made him smile teasingly.
" No... I ... You could have given that in the gathering downstairs."
" Then how could I do this?"
" Wha... Kunwarsa ... What are you .." He ignored her fumbles as he sat on one knee. Took her foot on it and placed the payal back.
Almost like a reflex when he stood up Ajabde touched his feet saying" You shouldn't touch my feet".He was a little taken aback before he smiled at her. She turned around to look at the moon while he stood with her.
" I fear... Kunwarsa..."
Her voice made him look at her. She continued looking at the sky.
" I fear losing happiness. I feel something bad is going to happen."
" what is it Ajabde?"
" I don't know."
He held her hand. " Nothing bad will happen Ajabde. I won't let it happen." She still didn't stare back but smiled.
" By the way Kunwarsa... You can not meet me after tomorrow."
" Why?" Pratap asked surprised.
" Day after tomorrow it's Haldi..."
" And after that?" He smiled.
" Subhratri Kunwar Pratap." She went away smiling. As he murmured " Ajabde!" With a smile.

READ CHAPTERS HERE

Touch of Reality

“Baisa, there is a letter for you.” Kasturi, Rajkumari Ajbante Kanwar’s personal attendant, had a scroll in her hand as she frowned. The only people who wrote to her were her friend Saubhagyawati and Daata from war. Both of them were in Bijoliya. She took the scroll from Kasturi as a shiver ran down her spine. Rao Ramrakh Punwar attended the celebration of Rajkumari Padmavati's grand wedding. He had come home and told stories of the grandeur. He had received a sweetmeat gift to take back home as well. As the children indulged in it, Ajbante Kanwar had thought that maybe the celebration had caught up with Kunwar Partap and he was unable to write the letter he had promised. But a week had passed since the Bidai entourage had left Bijoliya and she had not heard from him. Ajbante Kanwar cursed her expectations of taking his words literally and found herself in tears one night. She had been scared when she realised that the lack of communication hurt her. She attributed it to he...

Scrutiny of His Keen Eyes

Rao Ramrakh Punwar had walked into the camp tent upon the declaration of his arrival and bowed to the Rana of Mewar. Rana Udai Singh was sitting on a makeshift throne inside the tent with a spread of fresh fruits, wine and nuts on the carpet before him. He gestured at Rao Ramrakh as one of the servants offered him grapes that he politely refused. He eyed Rawat Chundawat, standing by the king, his hands folded across his chest, his face looking worried, the bushy brows narrowed and his long oiled and combed beard looking neat as he eyed Rao Ramrakh. Almost as if he could read his mind, the Samanth of Bijoliya knew that like himself the Rawat of Salumber did not quite agree to the need of this battle. Yet here they were. Rao Ramrakh realised they were probably waiting for the Senapati, Kunwar Partap as some soldiers came and spread some maps of the terrain as instructed by Rawat Chundawat. The guards declared the arrival of the prince of Bundi as Rana stood up to welcome his son-in-law. ...

Harsh Truths of Life

Ajbante Kanwar found herself by the Menal waterfall that made enough noise for her to not hear Kunwar Partap approaching with the horses. She was lost in thoughts. After two days of playing host to the royals of Bundi, yesterday the king had informed her father that they would start their journey to Chittorgarh early in the morning. As she snuck out of the palace she saw the pompous procession of elephants decorated with gold ornaments and horses with golden quilts over their seat being led out by the Bundi soldiers. The palace was awake earlier than she anticipated and she had to squeeze in a little time and excuse herself for her “prayers”. But as she sat by the waterfall she was unsure whether he could come. She looked up at the sky clearing into dawn as she sighed and shook her head. He must be preparing to leave. Rajkumari Ajbante Kanwar stood up, brushing her lehenga as she turned to leave. If she wasted more time, Daata would scold her. She had not worn her warrior attire u...

Towards You

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were friends. He didn't feel awkward sharing his plans and thoughts with her anymore. She was more than happy to advise him on everything. She was happy he listened to her advice before taking or discarding them, be it on what to wear to Padmavati's Sagai or how to befriend the revolting Bhils. He loved the way Ajabde always used metaphors from Puranas and Ramayanas to explain the toughest things so easily. She expressed herself so well, so easily that it amazed him. The Afghans were now led by Mehmood Shah. They have made secret territories in the forests and waited to attack. Rawatji and his spies had confirmed the news and Udai Singh had warned Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. And his spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. One of his aides...

Reassuring Gift

“I got these for you.” Rajkumari Ajbante Kanwar had just made her way to the other side of the temple premises, with her dupatta hiding her face, while her guards, attendants and palanquin waited at the other end of the Math premises at Menal. The moment she spotted Kunwar Partap across the temple complex near the forest with Bijli he straightened himself and held out a bundle of glass bangles. Ajbante Kanwar looked perplexed at his reassuring nod. “Me?” She asked, unsure of what she heard. He nodded again. “Bhai Shakti dragged me to the fair yesterday and I brought green bangles for Ranima so I thought…” He cleared his throat looking unsurely at the Magenta bangles on his hand. “Why?” Her question interrupted his chain of thoughts as his smile faded. “Did you not like it?” He looked unsure. He had never bought anything for anyone before except for Ranima. Ranima never disliked anything he chose for her. While Kunwar Partap scanned the shop, looking for a perfect bangle for ...

See You Soon

Kunwar Partap entered the relatively quiet stable premises at the break of dawn checking on Bijli who was asleep, when he heard the sound of anklets near the cow shed. He walked up to the entrance of the stable, from where he could see her, her dupatta placed loosely over her wet hair, devoid of jewellery the way he never saw a royal lady, with a basket of flowers in one hand and a plate of sweets on the other. She was distributing sweets to the cow keepers, veterinarians and everyone who came by on the occasion of Lakshmi giving birth to her calf. “What will you name her, Hukum?” an old man asked. She smiled shyly, pressing her lips together. “Mandakini, Kakasa.” The old man smiled at her suggestion. “Like the kund? Very nice.” Kunwar Partap walked up to Lakshmi’s shed only after most people had dispersed to their work. Ajbante Kanwar heard footsteps behind her and turned with the plate that now had one sweetmeat left. Alarmed at his sight and at the lack of options she could offer fr...

Prologue: Impulsive Hearts

1576 CE. The dark clouds circled over the Haveli of the Chieftain at Avadgadh, one of the unimportant posts on the western borders of Mewar, Rajputana. It was the arrival of the rainy season, with occasional downpours over the green veil of the Aravallis on the horizon and the streams that often meandered around the hills now surged like rivers. The monotonous life in the little settlement was stirred by the arrival of guests in the Haveli. It was not usual for the old chieftain to receive so many guests, especially women and it sparked curiosity and rumours among the villagers. Who were these people? Some of them looked like royal ladies and some not. In the inner palace of Avadgadh, on a balustrade that was designed with Jali, nymphs adorning its pillars that looked over the Aravallis in a distance, covered with dark clouds, the gusty wind blew the new curtains almost toppling a vase kept by the window. She caught it, alarmed, almost out of the force of habit to be alert about her su...

Vows

Pratap was staring at the Havan Kund that was lit up for the wedding as he sat in the mandap doing the Ganesh Puja. Two days and so many rituals he had to do. All he knew was like an obedient and ideal son he had followed every ritual his mothers and the Panditji told him to do. They said he didn't understand the significance of many rituals now, he would later on. He didn't actually care. All he wanted was to get over the wedding really fast so that he could consider the other important things in life. Did I just think others are important? No, the most important. The Turk Invader was surely going to use his diversion for his own profit. Somehow he could read Akbar's mind too well. He had been teased beyond his imagination by Shakti as Chakrapani accidentally told him about the Mandir incident. He swore to make his friend pay once when he was back home. " She is here." Hansa Bai's voice made him look up as people stared to his right. Ajabde's hands and...

Delicate

“I swear I don’t understand those uncles who wear pants, suits and shirts to weddings,” Ajabdeh spoke as she sorted the marigolds eyeing some of the uncles in the banquet while one of the other bridesmaids was breaking down the petals and another was making designs for a flower rangoli they wanted to surprise the bride with for her Mehendi ceremony. “Why?” one of the younger girls asked as Ajabdeh shrugged, “Well, you wear those every day, why not make some effort on another person’s special day and look good? Wear traditional?” “But if they wear suits and watches maybe our dupatta will get stuck to one of their watches or buttons.” Another one made all of them giggle as Ajabdeh shook her head amused. “Well, Sherwanis also have buttons.” The one making the rangoli shrugged. Ajabdeh nodded in agreement, getting up from her spot and wiping some of the petals off her kameez. “The bottom line is unlike women, men don’t think they need to put an effort for things like these. Wearing a ...

Rishta Tera Mera: Prologue

Chal raho pe ek nayi rah banaye Department of Law, University of Calcutta Class of 1942 She adjusted the black satin gown over her saree and straightened it. Her excitement knew no bounds. She was anxious, excited, sleep deprived and happy. They say, dreams only become true if you dare to dream with open eyes. That she did. She had big dreams, bigger than what was offered to her. Everyone happened to see success in a success story. What about the journey? The hurdles and abuses? What does a person leave or face for a dream that’s big? They don’t matter any more once someone succeeds. People look up to them. But then, the person remembers each and every moment like it was yesterday. Who had faith in them and who didn’t, who supported them, and who didn’t? Everything in life comes in a flash in front of their eyes. Today was such a day for her. If she believed in rebirth, she would have believed that this was her moment of being reborn. To fly and reach the skies. "She is our...

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