Forever

" 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 Dada bhai's birth story end, tomorrow we will hear mine!"
" Ohho, Chand! How bout us?" The princesses protested. " We come first, right, Ranima?" Jasobai and Solankhini smiled.
" All right, a few more minutes, then we are sending Jija!"

" Woh...Tell us... About Daajiraj and Ranima!" Kunwar Amar returned to the story.
" Your Daajiraj was so, so happy. He used to be so scared, too! Once you had a fever, you were only a few months old then. He left his administrative work and came back for you. Ajabde had to plead and send him back! And Ajabde was always good with kids, be it your Mama Balwant, Saubhagwati's girl or all of you... all your childhoods were spent in her arms more than your own mothers'"
"Of course! Badi Ranima loves me most! More than Dadabhai!"
" Bhai Chand, that's not true." Amar protested.
" Yes, it is!"
" Oh no, they start again!"The princess gasped." Let's go tell Badi Ranima"

" Tell me what?"
The children stopped and froze as Ajabde entered, smiling at Jaivanta Bai.
" Come now, all of you, let Raj Mata rest a little; it's late."
The princesses were ready to follow, but the princes insisted.
"Please, a little more, we promise to wake at Bhrahmamuhurat, please!"
" Ajab, let them stay with me tonight. After the stories, I will put them to sleep here."
" Yay!" A loud cheer broke out before Ajabde calmed them down, saying,
" All right, all right! But after the story, go to your rooms, all of you!"
"Ranimaa, we are hearing your stories! How did you learned sword fighting from Daajiraj!"
Bhagwan Das gushed excitedly as Amar pinched him, whispering, "Hush!"
Ajabde's eyes widened in shock and embarrassment as the children beamed at her. She left without a word.

His room was still in lights, and she knew he was alone; all the other six wives were in their common room, in this makeshift hideout they called home. She had gone there to hear Jasobai complain about the children being sleep-deprived. She sighed and stepped into his room.
" You are awake still?" Her voice made him look up from his work.
" So are you..."
" And the children!" She nodded her head.
" What happened?" He smiled. "Badi Ranima failed to be strict?"
" No, Raajmaata's stories interrupted the scoldings!"
" Stories again? Ranima needs to rest!"
" I know! I said that! You want to try?"
" Why did you come back?"
" Coz... Ranima was telling... about... umm... my sword lessons! "She turned red as she looked here and there.
" Our sword lessons!" He stepped forward with a smile as eyes met. Then realisation dawned.
" To the children??"He was shocked.
" Yes." She looked worried.
" Ranima bhi naa!" he nodded.
" Sleep now!" She was back to her old topic. " It's late."
" Ajabde!" He held her back, holding her by the wrist. " I was thinking...."
" No, the children are awake and ..."
" And you are blushing like you used to."
" Ji?"
" Maharani Ajabde Baisa, it's been such a long and wonderful life with you." He smiled, holding both her hands and pulling her close.
" With me? And the others, too, you mean?"
" Haan Haan wohi wohi!"He nodded, smiling.
" Rana Pratap Singh, it's late, so..."
" So...."
" Go to sleep!" She giggled at his serious face.

"Ranima! Ranima!"
" Kunwarsa is here, let me go!"
" Let him come!"
" Kunwar Pratap!"
" Stop calling me that! I feel like a child." She giggled again, freeing herself right in time before Bhagwan Das came running in to hug his mother.
" What happened, Kunwarsa?"
" This baby was crying because he couldn't sleep without Ranima!" Kunwar Amar appeared extremely fed up with his brother.
" Dadabhai, I am not a baby!"
" Yes, you are! You can't sleep without Ranima!"
" That's not true, I sleep with Daajiraj too!" Amar laughed out loud as Bhagwan Das started to wail, hugging Ajabde, who shouted, " Kunwar Amar Singh, stop making your Bhai cry!"
" Ranima, today I am sleeping with you!" Amar hugged Ajabde, crushing Bhagwan Das in between.
"Urgh, I am!" Bhagwan Das was pushing in vain.
" And I thought I was!" Pratap thought to himself!
" You said something, Ranaji?" Her voice seemed angry as she heard him.
"Nahi Nahi, okay, all right, you two leave her alone! Who is coming with me to hear some war tales before sleeping?"
" Me Me!" Bhagwan Das ran as Amar still stood there. "I'm staying with Ranima, let the Baby hear about war and be scared!"
" I am not a baby!"
" All right!" Pratap stopped them with his hand. " Enough now, you will wake the whole house!"
" Ranima, tomorrow I want sword lessons with you instead of Daajiraj." Amar smiled.
" Me? Nahi Amar, I don't remember..."
" Yes, Kunwarsa, take your mother to the Dangal, we will see what she remembers!" Pratap smiled at a surprised Ajabde.

Early at dawn, Solankhini Bai came rushing in, " Jaso Behena, Champa, Phool Baisa! Wake up! You can not miss this!" They rushed to the jharkhas with smiles and giggles as they witnessed their always soft and gentle Jija in the arena with Amar. Her warrior attire made her look fierce. Amar was practising a duel when Ajabde constantly said, " Trust me, Amar, I forgot!"
"Then let's remind you, Maharani Ajabde Baisa!" His voice made her look at him wide-eyed as Amar slowly stepped away with a smile and went inside.
" Should we be watching this? If Ranaji knows, he can scold!" Champa spoke up.
" If Jija knows she won't talk to us in embarrassment the whole day." Phool giggled.
" Let's leave them alone!" Solankhini smiled.

Swords clashed as eyes talked; she attacked and he defended, teasing her with his gaze. It had been almost eighteen years since their first fight, yet the same Pratap and Ajabde stood in the Dangal Sthal today, older, mature, and more responsible, the guardians of Mewar, whose dreams of being together in all the hardship and keeping Mewar safe were still the same. The kind and gentle Ajabde was now Maharani Ajabde Baisa, while the valiant Kunwar Pratap was now Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar. Time stood witness to their amazing friendship, love, struggle, sacrifice, marriage, romance, family and achievements. They stood facing each other eighteen years apart, still the same, their love unchanged, forever.

The End

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda amidst uncertainty and chaos. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rawat Chundawat, and some other chieftains stopped the ongoing Raj Tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani hadn't expected Kunwar Pratap to show up, that too, despite her conveying to him his father's last wish of crowning Kunwar Jagmal. Twenty-one days after Udai Singh's death, she was finally close to a dream she had dared to dream since Jagmal was born. He was not informed about the Raj Tilak as per Dheerbai's instructions. She eyed Rawat Ji. He must have assembled the chiefs to this revolt against her son, against the dead king. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing, Chotima?" A disappointed voice was directed at her. She could stoop down so low? For the first time, an anger...

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. 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. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Eight

Trilochon was so overwhelmed that Binoy came for the Pujo and Kirtan on Dol Purnima. Their neighbours, friends and acquaintances had all gathered in the Thakur Dalan, first for the pujo when the idol of Sree Radha and Sree Krishna were worshipped in the Dalan, and Horir Loot of Batasha and Naru were distributed. Unlike in the village, people here, especially children, did not fight over the Horir Loot . Bondita and Batuk took part in the ritual like they used to as kids, counting the number of Batasha each of them had, amusing the elders who reminisced about their childhood and how Batuk snatched Bondita’s share and ran as she chased after him, shouting. The Kirtan followed the pujo, the tales of Sree Krishna’s prowess, his Leela and Radha’s sacrifice were sung with the sounds of Dhol and Khanjani . It followed the devotional songs praising Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his praises to Lord Krishna. Bondita not only liked the stories of Kirtan but also how the crowd joined in the singing and...

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabdeh looked visibly displeased at the ladies who ran around. " They are at the fort gates, and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red lehenga and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maasa Maasa... who is coming with Daajiraj?" His innocent question made her heart sink. " Bhanwar Ji." Sajja Bai called out to him. " Come here, I will tell you." Amar rushed to his Majhli Dadisa., " Ajabdeh." She turned at Jaivanta Bai's call. "They are here." " M... My Aarti thali..." Ajabde looked lost like never before. Jaivanta Bai held her stone-cold hands, making her stop. She patted her head and gave her a hug. The hug gave her the comfort she was looking for as her racing heart calmed down. Jaivanta Bai left her alone with her thaal. " Maa sa!" ...

Purnota: Chapter Forty One

Kalindi stood looking at the Ganga in the distance as Trilochon watched her. It was later in the night, and the stars were veiling the clear summer sky. A cool breeze blew from the Ganga, relaxing Kalindi’s restless heart as she took a stroll. Trilochon had spotted her in the garden from his balcony and walked up to her. She did not turn as he came up behind her and cleared his throat. “I apologise for storming off like that.” He was the first to speak. Kalindi inhaled. “Have you heard that she went to borrow a saree from Bouma to wear to some party?” Kalindi spoke rather monotonously. “Yes, Bouma said so.” Trilochon cleared his throat. He left out the part where Asha enthusiastically told him about Bondita blushing and her idea of telling Bondita to confess her feelings. Instead, Trilochon added, “The senior is very influential. He can have some good contacts for Bondita. Perhaps enough for her to get a job in Kolkata, like you wanted.” Kalindi could hear through his unconvincing...

Purnota: Chapter Forty Three

Trilochon and Kalindi were having tea in the morning in their living room when Binoy walked downstairs in his Pajama Panjabi, pipe in hand and found them. Watching him unusually in his home attire, Trilochon frowned. “Are you sick? I thought you had already left.” Binoy sat down on the single chaise chair beside the couch as Kalindi poured some tea for him. “ I told you, Dada, I am here to retire.” He said, putting his pipe in his pocket. “Today, Som is going alone. We will see how that goes.” Their conversation was interrupted by Asha coming into the house in a white and red saree, with a red sindoor Teep on her forehead. She had a basket with her, and Koeli was accompanying her as she offered them the sweets she had taken as Prasad. “Since it’s his first day at the new position, we went to the temple together.” Asha narrated to Kalindi. “He left for work from there.” “Do you not have school today?” Kalindi enquired as Asha shook her head. She smiled, eyeing Trilochon, who narra...

Eternally Yours

Ajabdeh woke up to find neither the pillow nor the husband beside her. That was really unusual. Has she overslept? No, it was dark, and the first birds were singing. She sat up to find that he had neatly arranged the pillows and made his side of the bed, and put his blanket over her. She checked the changing room. No, he was not there, but unlike other days, his clothes were not in a mess. She freshened up and reached the dressing table. His brooch was not there. Where is he? Has the war... Her heart skipped a beat. What if he had left and not even woken her up? " Daasi? Daasi?" She called out as one of them walked in. " Ji Kuwaranisa?" " Where is Kunwarsa?" " He left early in the morning for Dangal and then a visit to the village. Do you need anything?" " No, you may go now." She put on the sindoor in worry. Maybe something urgent has come up. She walked to the Puja room and was shocked. Her garlands were made, the Chandan was in plac...

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in the court with Rana Udai Singh. The Mughals were conquering a huge part of the north courtesy of Bairam Khan and Mewar on their routes to the ports of Surat. " Daajiraj, we need to secure the roads leading to Agra and also towards the west. The attack-prone areas should always be under surveillance." " Yes, Ranaji. Baojiraj is right." Rawatji agreed. In the Rani Mahal, everyone was preparing for a grand lunch. Ajabdeh was making a drink for the princes and princesses, and in a hurry, she forgot to add the Kesar and Badam on top. As she served the smaller princes, including Kunwar Jagmal, Dheerbai came to inspect her eldest son's food. " What is this? Who made this? Kokoiaji?" She stormed to the kitchen with a bowl of sweet dishes. " Kunwaranisa did." Came a scary answer, from Veer Bai. " Ajabdeh Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabdeh walke...

The Difficulties

“The best of our characters are often reflected in our children.” Kunwar Shakta had visited the court at Udaipur after a Turk marriage offer was turned down by Rana Udai Singh for the third time for one of his Princesses. The Ranimahal at Chittorgarh buzzed with rumours of him warning his father about the consequences of enemity with the Turks and also about the impending doom of Mewar. He had apparently irked Kunwar Partap by suggesting a peace alliance with the Timurids was beneficial to Mewar. Rana Udai Singh, in his anger, had banished him from his court. Kunwar Shakta had sworn not to be associated with the royal family any further and to join allies with the Turks. Rawat Chundawat was calm enough to pacify the angry prince and offer him to shift to Bassi and give his decision a second thought. However, Kunwar Partap had refused to abandon Chittor, defying his father’s orders for a shift to the newly founded capital with his Ranimahal. He wanted to stay at Chittorgarh, which...

Life and You

" Maharanisa! Maharanisa!" The maid-in-waiting ran through the quiet Rani Mahal as Jaivanta Bai, who was sitting in front of the Lord in her room ever since she was back, rushed out of her room, followed by Sajjabai and Veerbai. " What happened?" She asked, her voice calm, but her heart thumping. " Kunwarsa is here... with Kunwarani... She... She...." The maid sobbed as Jaivanta Bai rushed to the room. She stood at the door as her eyes could not believe what she saw. Kunwar Pratap was soaked in her blood as he laid her down on the bed, shouting, " Quick. Rajvaidya..." His eyes stopped at the door as Jaivanta Bai rushed to be beside the unconscious Ajabdeh. The Daasis and Sevaks were running about soon enough. Sajja Bai gasped at the scene. So much blood. Kunwar Pratap had not noticed anything except her calm, unconscious face. Now that he noticed his blood-soaked, red hands, he stared at them as though in a trance. "Kunwar Pratap! Tell me w...

RAABTA

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