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.

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