Happiness

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 happy to get to look after a household with full control from now on. Ranima wants me to learn early. After all, I have to look after the whole Ranimahal someday."
Dheerbai's smile disappeared as she walked away. Jaivanta Bai has witnessed this from a distance. She walked up to Ajabde, saying, " Come to my room."

They walked to Jaivanta Bai's chambers, and she shut the door behind them.
" Ajab, you have always been my daughter, you know that, right?" She said, holding Ajabde fondly.
" Yes, Ranima. I always am," she smiled.
" Then tell me truly, do you feel I treat you differently?"
" Yes, you do, Ranima, you love me more!" She hugged a smiling Jaivanta Bai.
" You know why I..."
" I know Ranima... For my safety. I know! And I can never question you. I trust you blindly. You are my mother. And as for what people say, Ranima, as long as you and Kunwarsa are with me, I am happy here."
" You know, Ajabde, no princess could have been better than you for Mewar!" Jaivanta Bai smiled proudly.
" Maharanisa..." A Daasi came in. " The new bride is here."
" Let's welcome Heer Baisa Ranima."
They went out to meet SajjaBai at the main entrance. Flowers were laid down for the new bride to walk on. Sajjabai did the aarti, followed by Jaivanta Bai, who surprisingly ignored Dheerbai and handed the thaal to Ajabde. Shocked at first, Ajabde took the aarti thaal and stepped forward with a smile.
" Ajabde has the first right on her Devrani now. Be careful, Heer!" Dheerbai taunted as Shakti sarcastically replied back, " That's the best thing that could happen to her in this RaniMahal." He stopped at Pratap's nod and glare. Ajabde's smile travelled from Shakti to Pratap as eyes met, and remembering the fight, he chose to look away.

The ring-finding game was going to happen as Shakti proudly said, " I will win this!" Heer glared at him like a lioness, making him smile. The ring was thrown in by Ajabde, who again looked up at Pratap, who looked away. Heer won the contest as Chakrapani teased Shakti, saying, "No one wins against the wives. Even our Baojiraj, the greatest sword fighter, lost a sword fight to Bhabisaa." Everyone laughed as Ajabde turned red and Pratap stared at Chakrapani.

That night, Pratap was busy with some paperwork when Ajabde entered the room.
" Kunwarsa, I was thinking..."
" Not now, I'm working."
" Not anymore!" She blew off the lamp on the desk.
" Ajabde, let me work."
" Work tomorrow."
" Why?"
" Because we haven't talked all day, I want to talk."
" And fight about something again?"
" Kunwarsa! I asked Ranima. She said Kelwara is not that dangerous. Then why are you not taking me? Do you plan on meeting some princess there?"
" What?" She could see his surprised expression in the pale moonlight. She bit her lips.
" Yes, like they all found your and Jasobai's pairing ...."
"Hahaha! Looks like someone is jealous!"
" No!"
" Yes!! I loved that."
" What?"
" Your possessiveness. That day." He pulled her close. She smiled at him. He held her hand and took her to bed.

Two days hence, Ajabde was busy setting up Heer's room, making her comfortable, when Jaivanta Bai came in smiling.
" Ajabde, Daima had visited Saubhagyabati, and she said the baby is a daughter. Go meet her once." Ajabde nodded, smiling as Heer asked, " Can I go too?" Jaivanta Bai nodded.

On their way back, Ajabde and Heer took the garden route to the Ranimahal that passed their home and the Dangal Sthal. Ajabde knew why Heer insisted on taking the route as the princes practised there. She smiled and ignored the obvious. Their voices interrupted the sword duel as Shakti stared at them from a distance with a smile. Ajabde stepped forward with the news.
" Chakrapani will be having a daughter soon. Daima said."
" What? How could she tell?" Shakti was suspicious.
" That's what I asked." Heer gushed.
" They can tell, I saw about Bhai Balwant."
" Yes, and even Maan and Jagmal, too, you remember Bhai Shakti?" Pratap added to a clueless Shakti.
" Bhago is very happy."
" And Chakrapani?" Pratap asked.
" Scared to death." Heer laughed. Ajabde held her hand," Let's go back, it will be time for Ranima's puja soon." She nodded.
On her way back, she felt a little dizzy.
" Umm... Heer... I am not feeling well."
" What happened?"
" I don't know."
" Let's go to your home, Jija, you can lie down a little." Ajabde nodded at a scared Heer.

" Badi Maa Badi Maa." Heer was out of breath. " Woh... Jija is not feeling well."
" What happened?" Jaivanta Bai rushed to see Ajabde sitting on her bed drinking juice from a dasi.
" Aree Heer, you called Ranima? I'm fine, really. "
" What happened, Ajabde?"
" I just felt a little dizzy. It's so hot outside, maybe that's why..."
" Daasi call vaidji."
" Aree nahi nahi... Am fine, Ranima. Vaidji will cause Kunwarsa some tension."
Pratap stormed into the room, all worried.
" Ohho, Heer Baisa, why are you calling everyone?" Ajabde complained.
" What happened, Ranima? She is ill?" He looked worried.
" No, am fine", Ajabde protested. The medicine man checked her and went away with Jaivanta Bai. Pratap sat down, worried about facing her on the bed.
" Why don't you take care of yourself?" He said once they were alone.
" Kunwar Pratap, see how you worry without a reason. That is why I was telling you I will go with you so that you can take care of me." She smiled.
" Ajabde, why are you so stubborn?"
" Pratap!" Jaivanta Bai entered as he got up.
" Ji Ranima?"
" Go meet Rawatji, he is waiting at the baithak."
" Ranima, can I go to Kelwara too?" Ajabde interfered as Pratap looked at her angrily.
" No, Ajabde, you can't." Pratap smiled as Jaivanta Bai spoke.
" See, Ranima won't allow you." He said and left.
"Ranima, why can't I go?" Ajabde asked as Jaivanta Bai smiled and hugged her.
" Because you need extra care now, especially with my Nanha Pratap coming, I can't afford to let you go out of my sight!" Ajabde looked at Jaivanta Bai, shocked as realisation dawned, and she blushed red.

" Ranima! " Pratap interrupted, clueless. " We are leaving at dawn."
Jaivanta Bai looked back at Ajabde, telling, " Tell him by dawn." She nodded shyly.
" Tell me what?" Pratap asked as soon as she left.
" Nothing. Let's pack your things." She walked past him and was about to go out of the room when he shouted, " Ajabde!" And made her stop.
" You are not leaving until you tell what Ranima is telling."
" Uff Kunwar Pratap, I will, but not now!"
" What kind of excuse is that?"
" Let me go."
" No! Tell me."
" All right!" He stared at her face, waiting. She looked here and there.
" Woh.... Woh... Humm.... "
" Yes?"
" You... I mean, we...."
" You are making no sense!"
Ajabde breathed in heavily, " I need to go see Daimaa tomorrow!"
" Why? For Saubhagyabati?" She nodded a no.
" For me."
" Why would you need...." He stopped, surprised and stared right at her blushing red face. " Ajabde! Hey Eklingji. Really?"
" Yes." She replied, embarrassed as he hugged her.
" Why are you standing here? Sit down. No, Lie down! And you haven't eaten yet, Daasi Daasi!"
" Kunwarsa! Kunwarsa!" She stopped him with her hand. " Am fine."
" You don't decide that! We do!"
" We?"
" We... Me and I... or her! I need to go tell Rawatji to postpone the trip by a day. We will go see Daima."
" No, you don't! You forget the vows?"
" Wha..."
" First Mewar, then Ranima, then me... us." She smiled as he stared at her.

At dawn, he was ready to leave as she came out with the aarti thaal.
" You shouldn't have woken so early."
" And missed doing your aarti?"
" Stay with Ranima and don't eat anything from anyone and...."
" I know, stop worrying and concentrate there! I will write to you."
"Every day!"
"Kunwarsa!"
" No, Promise me!"
" All right, every day!"
" Take care of yourself and him..."
" ... Or her..." She smiled. She did his tilak and he got on Sarang. He then got down and walked up to her, surprising her with a tight hug.
" Take care, Ajabde."
" Stop worrying and come back soon."
" I will."

He rode off as she stood there before leaving for Ranima's chamber to wait for his arrival in a month or so.

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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