Skip to main content

Jealousy

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 shocking that Pratap found her with Shakti. She had been living with him in the Bhils village for the last two days. Sajja and I were in so much shame in front of the people of Bundi that to save further embarrassment I had to promise them the royal wedding of Heer with Shakti this week itself. You need to arrive here and show your support… This is the only way we can save our family name. And please forgive them. They are children. Hope you will arrive soon. Jai Eklingji. Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara
                                                                    For a moment Dheerbai was fuming at Jaivanta Bai’s trick to convince Ranaji who was now packing to leave immediately. Then she felt grateful that Jaivanta Bai did not reveal her in front of Ranaji. After all, she was the one sending letters to Bundi under his seal. But still, she needed to convince Ranaji. Ajabde was already a pain and in addition Heer, they would come between her and her dreams.
“ Ranaji. I think we should think a little. They are thinking alliance with Marwar.”
“ Dheer, Jaivanta Bai had already promised them something on my behalf which will save both our honour and our alliance. This marriage will stop Bundi’s any alliance talks with Marwar.” Udai Singh seemed happy to a surprised Dheerbai.
“ Are you coming?”
“ No Ranaji…. I…”
“ Dheer, think if it was our Maan or Chand in Heer’s place we would have thought the same.” Dheerbai smiled a convincing smile.
“ Ranaji, I want to go but am not well.” Rana Udai Singh left Chittorgarh alone.


Kunwar Pratap was convincing himself how to put forward the news once everyone calms down. He rode unmindful on Sarang as he looked back and saw Shakti ride by Heer’s side of the palki she shared with Ajabde. Ajabde peeped out watching him stare back and asked “ What?”
“ Nothing.” He nodded and looked ahead as the Bundi Fort became visible at a distance.
“ Heer!”
“ Maa Saa!”
The mother and daughter hugged each other in tears as Sajja Bai scrutinised her son who chose to look away. Ajabde walked up to touch everyone’s feet as Heer’s mother wiped away her tears saying, “ Bring me the aarthi thaal, our new bride is home!”
Ajabde smiled shyly as Pratap’s heart skipped a beat before he realized his Mamisa was talking of Ajabde and not Heer!
“ Bhabisa, You can’t only welcome Ajabde by Aarti. You have to welcome someone else also!” Jaivanta Bai spoke up.
“ Yes, He should come up first,” Surajmal spoke up. “ After all Bindni is our family, Jamata is paraya!”
Pratap and Shakti looked wide-eyed thinking how on earth they knew as Heer and Ajab shared a quick glance. Jaivanta Bai continued.
“ Ajabde, you have a lot of work, the Sangeet is today. Ranaji agreed to get these two married in three days.” Four relieved faces smiled.
“ But Badima…” Shakti was about to say something when Pratap grabbed his hand.
We can’t believe … such good news!” He made a gesture to Heer to keep quiet. Ajabde smiled and said, “ Sure Ranima, Kunwarsa was a brother to me, it’s time I become his sister.”

After some refreshments, they were shown their rooms and as Ajabde unpacked her things, Shakti came knocking.
“ Dadabhai, we cannot do this, we are already…”
“ Hush!” Ajabde quickly shut the door.
“ What’s your problem? Keep quiet and enjoy a royal wedding.” Pratap said with a straight face as he kept his pagri.
“ But…”
“ No Buts Kunwarsa! It’s time we enjoyed a royal wedding. I have already written to Saubhagyabati, they will arrive on the wedding day .” A Daasi came to inform Rana Udai Singh is there.
Kunwar Pratap looked at Kunwar Shakti who refused to leave. He went by himself as Kunwar Shakti walked to his room.
“ Gani Khamma Daajiraj.”
“ Kunwar Pratap, how is Kuwaranisa?”
“ She is fine.”
“ Where is your Bhai?”
“ Woh…”
Thankfully Surajmal interrupted. With Jaivanta Bai.
“ I apologize for whatever happened Surajmal Ji.” Udai Singh was ashamed that his son eloped with the princess.
Nahi Nahi Jijosa.” Surajmal thought it was an apology for the letters.
“ Let’s not talk of this anymore.” Jaivanta Bai put an end to the topic. “ Pratap bring Ajabde and come to my room, we are selecting gifts.”
“ Ji.”

Pratap was in the corridors when Jasobai saw him walking towards her. At a glance, she knew who he was. His looks and bravery were both topics of discussion among the Princesses.
“ Kunwar Pratap Singh of Mewar?” She looked awestruck at a surprised and uncomfortable Kunwar Pratap.
“ I am the Chauhan princess Jasobai. May I offer you some pickles? These are our special mangoes which are famous all over Rajputana. Please accept this token gift.” Kunwar Pratap was thinking of how to get away from this trouble in a pink lehenga when he noticed Ajabde coming towards them. He smiled.
“ Gift you say? I like gifts a lot but I don’t get any.”
“ Really?” Jasobai broke in a smile. “ Here, I have some shawls too, handwoven by our artisans. They are also…”
“ Kunwarsa…” Ajabde interrupted with a smile. “ Ranima called us to…”
“ Ohh yes, I so forgot. Pleased to meet you.” He then nodded at Ajabde and rushed off.
“ Woh…” Jasobai looked at Ajabde smiling at her. This must be…
“ I am sorry I interrupted your conversation, actually…”
“ No,No, You must be Kuwarani Ajabde Punwar!” Jasobai smiled. “  Heer talks of you.” A confused Ajabde smiled at the unknown girl and nodded.
“ I must go…” Jasobai rushed to her room. Confused, Ajabde stood thinking Who was she… I forgot to ask!

She is not pretty, and neither does she look Royal, then what made him love her? Maybe he never met a princess… Jasobai’s thoughts were interrupted by Heer.
“ How am I looking for the sangeet Jaso?”
“ Beautiful.”
“ Come, let's go to the hall.”
“ Let me get ready Heer.”

The ladies were singing and dancing as Heer sat pretty in her family heirloom jewellery and a pretty purple lehenga. Ajabde sat with Sajjabai who was beaming happily. Some of the ladies dragged in Pratap at his Mami’s instructions.
“ Aree, what will I do among girls?” Everyone laughed as he helplessly complained. “ Ranimaa!!”
Kunwarsa, it’s our Bundi tradition that the Bride’s brother dances on the sangeet.” His Mami said smiling.
“ Mamisa, you are making this up!”
“ Aree, ask your Ranima!”
“ Haan Haan, even the Bhabisa dances.” Jaivanta Bai added as Ajabde looked at her wide-eyed. Heer was still laughing. Jasobai saw Pratap smile at Ajabde.
“ No Ranima, What will I do among the ladies… am going.”
“ Accha!” Sajjabai spoke up. “ You never said this in Bijolia Kunwarsa, what you will do in the Ranimahal. You came running whenever we called you. We wonder why.” She looked at Ajabde and Pratap Blush and look away.
“ Haan Sajja Behena, he never refused in Bijolia.”
“ Ranimaa!”
“ Dadabhai dances a little and they will let you go.” Heer smiled.“ Bhabisa you too!”

“ Nahi Nahi….” Ajabde was reluctant as Heer pulled her up. The dhol played and the singers sang as Heer and Ajabde did two thumkas, and a blushing Ajabde saw Pratap copy them making everyone laugh. She went and sat down with Sajjabai and started discussing what they needed for the mehendi and haldi rasam.

Heer had by now asked Jasobai to step in as she and Pratap danced like they did as kids and Jaivanta Bai remembered it as she said, “ Bhabisa look how time flies by.”
Heer stepped back as Pratap was lost in dancing and Jasobai joined him, unnoticed.
“ He is a perfect prince, a husband every girl would desire.” Ajabde overheard two women talk as she sat with Sajjabai hearing her list of things to be done. She smiled a proud smile.
“ Yes, he just got married, so a second one will be a year or so at least!”
“ But he is the crown prince, he will surely get a lot of admirers and proposals.”
“ This pairing looks good, who is she?”
“Rajkumari Jasobai Chauhan”

Ajabde turned to the centre noticing that her husband was dancing and smiling with a princess which was now the topic of discussion of the room. This is the corridor girl….
She excused herself and moved to the corridor fuming. Pratap stopped noticing all eyes were smiling at him as he realised the girl he was dancing with was not Heer. Embarrassed he looked around as Jasobai’s smile faded at his “ Shama Kijiye!” 

He looked around for Ajabde and left.
He found her busy with people carefully ignoring him, his eyes hovered on her as she fumed. I will have to talk to her when she comes to the room tonight. He thought of an apology speech.
He waited eagerly for her to come that night and he smiled as she entered with a angry face. His smile faded seeing Kunwar Shakti behind her.
“ Kunwarsa, he will sleep with you tonight.”
“ But…”
“ Dadabhai! They have taken over my room to prepare for the wedding.”
“ I have worked all night, Subhratri.” Ajabde left a stunned Pratap with a smirking Shakti. He sat in bed asking, “ What happened?”
“ She… I… Kind of accidentally danced with a princess.”
“ You… What?? Oh someone is in trouble. Bhabisa is fuming.”
“ I know I wanted to apologize.”
“ Oops! Tonight you have only me Dadabhai.” He was amused.” I can’t believe she scares you so much!”
“ Go to sleep!”


The next day, all the ladies were busy applying mehendi.
“ Mine should have the best colour!” Jasobai ordered as she eyed Ajabde checking Heer’s mehendi and hers.
Kunwar Pratap just needed an opportunity to talk.
“ Ranima… “ He came in as all eyes turned to Ajabde.
“ Pratap! You need something?” Jaivanta Bai asked. Jasobai was pleased.
“ I… yes… No… Ranima, you have mehendi na so let me feed you!”
“ I have already eaten Pratap, that was so thoughtful of you. You can feed Ajabde, she is still hungry.”
“ Yes Dadabhai.” Heer gushed.
“ No No!” Ajabde protested.
“ Eat Kuwaranisa. When he will marry more princesses you won’t get these special treatments anymore, he will divide his time, hai na Jija?” Sajjabai smiled teasingly as everyone laughed including Pratap shocking Ajabde. Jasobai saw her shocked and smiled.

As he fed her, she ate silently not looking up at him. He thought about where to start. His laughter came back to her mind as she accidentally bit his finger with the roti.
“Aah!” Pratap was acting more than it hurt him still Ajabde looked away. He seemed to apologize with his eyes.
After feeding her Pratap was in the corridor smiling by himself when Jasobai smiled at him and walked up surprising him again.

“ I heard you are very good in Vedas and Purans as well as fighting Kunwarsa.”
“ Ji?” He smiled. “ Am not as good as Ajab… Kunwaranisa though, she knows everything by heart.”
“ And I have heard that you like poetry.”
“ This also comes a bit from her love for poetry. She…”
“ She seems very talented.”
“ She is, even with the sword. “ He smiled.
Jasobai nodded as he walked away.

Lost in her thought she entered Heer’s room when she saw everyone flocking around Ajabde as her mehendi had the best colour. Jasobai looked at her fade mehendi and an unknown pain crept in as she left to sit on the balcony quietly.
“ Are you okay?” Ajabde’s voice startled her.
“ Yes, Yes am fine Kuwaranisa.”
“ Rajkumari….”
“ Please call me Jasobai.”
“ Then you call me Jija. If you are upset about the mehendi colour, those are just sayings you know…”
“ You are very lucky Jija.”
A little taken aback Ajabde asked, “Because of the Mehendi?”
“ No.” She smiled. “ Because You are there in everything Kunwar Pratap does or says.” She left a smiling Ajabde there.


Pratap was sure he would have to spend this night with Shakti too when the sound of her payal made him smile. She closed the door behind her as eyes met.
“ Ajabde, I am… “
“ It’s fine. “
“ No, it’s not, I didn’t know…”
“ You really want to apologize?”
“ I do!”
“ Then I want something.”
“ Anything as long as you are asking for yourself and not others. “ He smiled making her laugh.
“ I want a Baal Kanha ji from Mathura.”
“ Done, I will send someone tomorrow itself.” He smiled.
“ Dhanyavaad, you were complaining no one gives you gifts huh?” She was showing anger as he held her close.
“ Noone.”
“ What gift do you want?”
“ A real baby Kanha!” He smiled teasingly at his bewildered wife.
“ Kunwar Pratap!” She pushed him away.
“ Kya? You heard the bhils say… And you promised me to do anything for our subjects!” He was amused as she blushed red.
“ Kunwar Pratap! We have a wedding to attend tomorrow. Sleep.”
“ Kunwarani Ajabde Baisa, Hum apse bohot prem karte hai.”
“ Ji?” She looked at him wide-eyed.

“ Ji! Subhratri!” He walked past her to the bed smiling as she realised this was the first time he ever said that out loud. 



READ CHAPTERS HERE

Comments

  1. just a wild thought crossed my mind... DID KP EVERY FELT THE SAME JEALOUSY FOR AJABDE???

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sujata Patil, for the real ones, I don't think neither KP or Ajabde were ever jealous or insecure. Such was their faith and trust. :) Adora thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was talking abt this fictional story only. Real ones are any way beyond our imagination or faith.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kunwar Pratap here, well, yes he would have gone to the extend of threatening his competition too if you ask me!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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...

She Left...

The war was over and so were the hopes of regaining Chittor. The Battle at Haldighati had robbed the Rana of all his wealth, and brave men, and bruised him for life. Trying to match up to Akbar or rather Raja Man Singh's army with one-third its strength had cost his bravery dearly. He had lost his friend and companion. He had brushed past death. The only good thing that this war ensured was that Akbar accepted that he cannot have Mewar. His army retreated and left the country in peace after almost two decades and seventeen wars. This war gave something else too. Kunwar Shakti came to help his brother in his time of need. He lived up to his brother's expectations of being loyal to his family. A heavy-hearted Rana Pratap Singh was overseeing the construction work on his lost friend's memorial right where he died, trying to save his master. The Bronze statue of the life-like Chetak stood tall but was no match for the void Chetak has left behind. He was lost in his thoughts as ...

You Deserve More

Ajabdeh woke up with the song of birds as she felt something warm on her hand. Her eyes went wide. Her hand was on the pillow in between them, between his hands, clasped as he slept. She thought of removing it slowly, but he was holding on to it so tightly. Ajabdeh's heart beat faster and faster. What do I do now? How do I not wake him? What if... why is my hand in his? She was utterly confused.   " Am I...In love?" Pratap was staring at the sleeping figure on the bed as he stared back at the rain. Then he frowned as he noticed that she shivered. He closed the windows of the room to make it cosy, then sat on his side of the bed. A lamp flickered on her side like always, and he stared at her sleeping figure as he put his blanket over her as well. She shifted a little in her sleep to make herself cosy again. Her payals and bangles made a rhythmic sound, breaking the silence of the room. Her hand was out of her blanket and on the pillow in between. He tried to slowly put it ...

Purnota: Chapter Four

The group of youth provided by the Pradhan proved efficient for Aniruddha’s liking as they helped him survey the villages, create a set of data and provide a rough idea of how much fund was needed to rebuild the roofs and fallen walls. “What if we make them permanent? That way, the next cyclone will cause less damage. Pakka houses may also get other facilities like toilets and…” Aniruddha suggested as his eyes shone in the flickering light of the dimly lit kerosene lamp in the living room of Pradhan’s house. Drops of perspiration had formed on his forehead in the load-shedding, and the mosquitoes buzzed around them. For the first two nights, Aniruddha could barely sleep in the unfamiliar surroundings with buzzing insects, sounds of the unknown, and eerie animals here and there at a distance. Stories of snakes climbing up to the second floor through windows despite the mosquito net protecting his four-poster bed kept him alarmed. By the third day, after a day’s survey through the villag...

Purnota: Chapter Three

“Did you ask for me, Dadu?” Bondita asked as the old man smiled at her. She looked fresh, with her hair neatly braided and a cotton pleated skirt, Thamma sewn with a faded top of one of her cousins, as she stood before the old man sitting on the porch. “Yes indeed, Didibhai, you didn’t come for chess yesterday.” The man smiled. “Oh, Pradhan Jyatha wanted me to look out for the …” She stopped as she saw Aniruddha walking towards them down the corridor. She eyed him as the old man followed her gaze. “Oh Aniruddha Babu, come here. This is Bondita Das.” Aniruddha smiled at the child as she looked away. “She is the only girl in the village who has appeared for her final examinations this year. She is very intelligent and…” Aniruddha nodded “She helped me a lot yesterday.” He made her look up, with a cold stare at him as he smiled politely. “Yes, I have called her here to show you around the village. He wants to see the affected areas of the Adivasis, Bondita.” The old man made her nod. “But...

Purnota: Chapter Six

Kalindi waited outside the hut, on the torn mat they usually slept on, using the hand fan to drive away mosquitoes as she stared at the empty path leading out of the house, the path Bondita had taken some time back. It was almost an hour. Did the foolish girl escape or land in trouble? To her relief, she could hear her nephew snoring away indoors, reassuring her that they were at least not caught by the villagers till now. She was sure Bondita would return empty-handed and hurt, and that she would have no other way than to accept the proposal from the Pradhan. That morning, her Kaka would accompany Sarkar Moshai to the adjacent village to talk to a family friend of the Sarkars. They were looking for a bride for their sixteen-year-old eldest son, who worked as a labourer in Sealdah. Kalindi had tears in her eyes. Not much had changed in these years; not much of women’s fate was different, wasn't it? Kalindi was about ten years old when her father took her to the Roy Chowdhury house ...

A Heart at War

Legend has it that Pratap had to struggle for his father Rana Udai Singh's approval on his wedding with the daughter of Bijoliya's chieftain's daughter, Ajbante Kanwar Punwar. It is so because he was the crown prince and his first queen was supposed to be the next queen of Mewar. Hence his father expected his first bride to be a powerful princess who would aid his political needs. But stubborn as he always was, Kunwar Pratap had other plans. The water of the Bhimlat was still. The sound of the waterfall could be heard in the silent afternoon in the dense forest. A pebble caused ripples in the water and alerted the horse gazing nearby. He looked up at the source of the stone. Then began grazing peacefully once again. The source of the stone however was far from being peaceful. His face wore a frown as he stared around restlessly for the umpteenth time. He sat unmindful on the large rock on the bank of the water body watching the ripples closely, lost in thoughts. The soun...

Purnota: Chapter Five

Aniruddha finished reading the book he had carried with him in the dim light of the bulb in his room and decided to pack it away. He was leaving in a few days and wanted to make sure he left nothing behind. The construction work on the school had started, and the Panchayat wanted to give him a thankful farewell he humbly refused. The spotlight should be on Trilochon to help with his next election campaign. Aniruddha did not want to associate himself with the party or the job. He contemplated going back home and telling his father that he had decided to pursue a career in India instead of his initial plan of going back to London. He had been giving it a thought for quite some time, and the day he said it out loud to Bondita, he knew in his subconscious mind he had already decided on it. The more he saw the village, the more sure he was that he was needed by his countrymen. Dadu put faith in him that he could be part of something bigger than himself and his career, and he intended to kee...

Dreams and Wishes

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...

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 hands, red, he stared at them as though in a trance. "Kunwar Pratap! Tell me w...