Feet Popping!

They entered the pub and sat at the four-seater corner, ordering their drinks and food. Rohan took Mahek's hand for a dance after a few drinks, while Pratap decided to give Ajabde her surprise.

" Come with me."

" Where to?"

" Come naa!" He dragged her by the hand, through the side door of the pub, into an open garden lawn. There was an ancient fountain in that garden.

" This is a Heritage Hotel that my friend's father bought recently. There used to be a palace here. Legends have it that this fountain is a wishing fountain!"

" A what?" Ajabde asked, surprised.

" A wishing fountain, a sage died here, and he said, anyone who wishes here selflessly will have their wishes granted."

" Really?" She sounded excited. "Let's try!"

She closed her eyes and whispered. " I wish all the college problems were solved." He smiled.

" Your turn, Princy!" She looked at him eagerly.

" I wish to be with her forever; may the craziness never end." He made her giggle. He held both her hands and said, " I mean it!" His eyes looked deep into hers, making her smile.

" I know you do."

They sat on one of the marble benches on the lonely lawn.

" You know this is the Owner's private area, since he is a friend and he and his family are in Sydney now, he granted me access so that I can show you the fountain."

" Pratap Singh! Are you flaunting your connections to me?" She taunted.

" What? I was just..."

" Tell me how I look!" She sprang up, twirling around like she used to as a kid. He smiled.

" How about I show you?" He got up with a teasing smile as she stopped looking at him, wide-eyed. He removed her hair from her face.

" I think Rohan and Mahek are waiting for us!" She spoke really fast. His smile faded.

" You know what? Your behaviour irks me!" He sounded angry.

" Hein?"

" The way you act when you are alone is not only irritating, it's dehati! Chote kapre pehenne se koi modern nahi ho jaata!"

" How dare you? Just how dare you!!!! You said I looked sexy in this," she looked down at her bare legs and back at him.

" Ya, and you said nothing, Kyun? You never compliment me, you never want me near you, Kyun?" He folded his hands to his side.

"Sesh!!!! You are sounding like a nagging wife, Princy. Stop it!" She was frowning.

" No, you stop this. Stop behaving like this." He pointed at her and stepped forward.

" You look good, happy?" She was fed up. " Can we go in, please?" She turned to leave.

" Ya sure go wherever you want! Ohh right, you're wherever is always where I'm not around." He stood fixed in his spot.

" What the hell, are you drunk again?" She turned around with a judgmental look.

" I just had two beers." He defended, shrugging.

" You are drunk." She pointed her finger, narrowing her eyes.

" No, I'm not!" He defended removing her finger with his hand.

" Yes, you are!" She used her other hand to point at him.

" Stop teasing my senses." He nodded, raising his eyebrows.

" You called me Dehaati!" She was still in Jhasi Ki Rani mode.

" You are, you trip in gowns!" He answered back angrily.

" That was once!"

" And heels, and the way you eat and behave." He went on.

" Wow, you are embarrassed by me!" She exclaimed.

" Just like you are!" He was holding both her upper arms with his hands, pulling her closer, eyes not leaving each other, still angry.

Ajabde Punwar couldn't believe what she actually did in the next few seconds. She held his collar with both hands, pulled him close and touched his lips with hers. Taken aback, Pratap's hand travelled to her waist as he responded, still surprised. The awkward small seal ended as realisation hit her and she hid her face in his chest, turning red as he went on to kiss her forehead, cheeks and nose before eyes met, smiling again, and his lips came back to hers. This time, it was a longer, sweeter, more comfortable moment as her hand caressed his hair before she let go and ran back into the pub, leaving him smiling.

Rohan dragged Ajabde to the dance floor as Pratap followed suit.

Bas aj ki raat hai, kal se wohi siyappe hai.... yeh to bas surwaad hai.... abhi to party suru hui hai!!

Mahek was dancing with Pratap when Ajabde literally pushed between them, making Pratap laugh and resulting in Mahek falling over Rohan.

Ek awara nahi, chalke o khulke san sana ti sanan... Rishta yeh kaisa chalti raeth pao ka, Rishta yeh kaisa jhilmil dhoop chao ka bolo.... Ho Adhure tum, Adhure hum, Bin Tumhare!

Pratap dragged Ajabde to him for a dance as she looked into his eyes, blushing.

" Suno..." He whispered in her ears.

" Kya?"

" Woh Kya hua garden mein?" His tease made her heart beat faster. She pushed him away, saying,

"You are drunk, that means I'm driving the Ferrari!"

" No No No! Never! Some things are not for sharing!" He protested.

" Like Ferrari?" She was amused.

" And Chetak!" He warned.

" I expected my feet to pop, you are sirf naam ka Princy!" She made a face at the clueless Pratap.

" Kya matlab?"

"Fairy tales na pada tumne? When they kiss Prince Charming, feet pop!" She raised one foot off the ground to show him as he laughed.

" What the hell!"

" It's true!"

" Ohh, then let's see if your feet pop this time!"

" Pratap!" She slapped his hand.

" Ajabde!" He copied her tone.

Ajabde was adamant that he was drunk and couldn't drive. He reluctantly gave her the key. She sat excitedly in the driver's seat. Mahek and Rohan left for the guest quarters, bidding goodnight.

" One scratch and you are dead!" He warned.

" OMG, I'm driving a Ferrari. Selfie to leni chahiye." She pouted for a pic as he clicked her pic on his phone and laughed. She drove through the empty highway shouting " Yuhooo!"

" Slower!" He commanded.

" Ajabde Punwar, you are so lucky!" She said to herself aloud.

" I know!" He made a proud face.

" Thank gawd Ranima loves me, since that day at the garden, varna aj I wouldn't drive a Ferrari!"

" Wait, what? Ranima?" His smile faded. " What about me?"

" Tum? Tum bhi to Ranima se aye!"

" I think you are drunk, the way you are talking! Kya bol rahi ho?" He chuckled.

They reached her home as both got out, and she threw the car key at him. Then she opened her purse for the house key. He stared and waited until she got the key. Then he dragged her by the waist and leaned forward as she put her purse between their faces, giggling and said aloud,

" Goodnight, Pratap Singh! See you tomorrow at 8AM"

" 8? " he frowned. " Why?" She slapped his hand, " How could you forget Bhago is coming? We will go pick them up."

" We?" He looked at her. " Why don't you go? You know what I realised, you should have been married to Bhago, as a kid, I should have liked to get you two married!"

" Why would you? You Liked Me!" She flaunted.

" Ohho ho! Jaise tum to bohot napasand karti thi!"

" Go home!"

" I am home!"

" Kya?" She asked, surprised.

" Home is where you are!" He kissed her on the cheeks as she closed her eyes, anticipating. He then moved away with a smile and drove away. She stood on the porch reflecting.

The Legend of Maharana Pratap: An Introduction

Itihas ke Har Panne Ki Ek Bohot Bada Uddesh Hota Hai Jo Aap Aur Main Kabhi Samajh Nahi Paate. Shayad, Meera Bai Ki Bhakti Ki Panna Dhai Ke Sahas Ki Chittor ki Jauhar ke askon ki Ek Bohot Bada Uddesh Tha. Ek Pratap Ka Charo Or Phelne Ki Mewar Ke Suraj ki Roshni Ki. Mewar, a land in Rajputana, is nestled between the serene Aravallis. With its beautiful lakes and forestland, the yellow soil that witnessed warfare, and the mighty temples that stood as a testament to the Bhajans of Meera Bai, its history and folktales reflect stories of bravery, rebellion, and loyalty. Rana Sanga, the most famous of rulers who sat on the throne of Mewar, died unexpectedly, leaving Mewar in a state of uncertainty. Here is where this story begins. The year was 1535 CE, and Mewar's capital, Chittorgarh, stood invincible on the plateau surrounded by the Aravallis. The danger that loomed large after the king's demise was to the throne. Ratan Singh, the king's secondborn, was coronated rather quickly...

Queen of the Heart

Kunwar Pratap was in the Dangal Sthal practising his moves. Ajabdeh decided it was fair to know his strength before she summoned him. Sword in hand, in a white female warrior attire with only her face visible, she hid behind one of the large watchtowers of the Dangal, watching him move. She heard Rawatji say, "Your left hand is still weaker than the right one with the moves. Both should be perfect." A smile curved her lips. Knowing an opponent's weakness always helps, which is one rule of war she always remembered. Kunwar Pratap swung his sword with his left hand and turned around. He could sense someone watching; his sixth sense was never wrong. He looked around. Ajabdeh again peeped at the grounds to see that it was empty. He had left. She walked towards the empty ground, sword in hand. Suddenly, the cold blade of a sword was felt on her neck. She stopped still. " So someone was spying on me." His voice had a hint of taunt. " No, I was ... walking by......

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!" A...

Scheme of Things

The ousting of Shams Khan and his troops from Chittorgarh earned Kunwar Partap Singh overnight fame across the land as tales of his bravery made their way through the dunes and hills, across rivers and borders to lands far and beyond. At thirteen, he had commanded an army troop to take over the fort of Chittorgarh and restore Mewar’s borders to their former glory. People started comparing him to his forefathers, the great Rana Kumbha, who built forts across Mewar and his grandfather, Rana Sanga, who had united all Rajputs against external threats. As bards sang praises of the prince, gossip soon followed. Gossip was the most entertaining one could get in the mundane city lives and village gatherings, and it often travelled faster than the fastest Marwadi horse. So alongside the tales of his absolute bravery and how he hoisted the Mewari flag on the fort, were the stories of how his life was in danger, the king and queen did not quite get along and how he was made to live in poverty by ...

One Night

Happy Valentine's Day, readers! Hope you put your self-love and your love for reading right at the top when you celebrate today! The night was eerie; the veil of stars shone in the clear sky, occasional clouds travelling with the wind, playing hide-and-seek with the crescent moon. The leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, and somewhere in the forestland, the call of an animal broke the silence. Owls hooted somewhere, and in the darkness, one could see across the arid land, beyond the water of a lake, a fort wall was lit by the torches of the guards who were awake and alert. The sandstone castle in the middle of the small township was asleep. The corridors of the Mardana Mahal, where noblemen and princes were stationed, were heavily guarded tonight. The prince of Mewar was travelling through this small town, on one of his many campaigns. The square-shaped palace had an inner courtyard for the ladies. Opposite the Mardana Mahal was the Andar Mahal, where the women resided. They shar...

The Queen

“Some remain immortal in deeds, others, in the hearts of their loved ones.” Kunwar Partap had left Kumbhalmer a little reluctantly with his chieftains to claim the throne that was rightfully his, at his father’s funeral at Gogunda. It did not come as a surprise to either Maharani Jivanta Bai or Ajbante Baisa that Rani Dheer Bai had tried to put her son on the throne of Mewar and ally with the Timurids. As Amar Singh rode away, excited, beside his father, Ajbante stared at them go, with a heavy heart. Today was the start of a new journey, a new title and new responsibilities, but all she could gather was that her baby was not a baby anymore. She felt the way she felt when she had first come to the house, alone in a crowd. A sudden tap on her shoulder jolted her from her thoughts as she turned to see Rajmata Jivanta Bai standing before her with questioning eyes. “What is it that worries you today, Ajbante?” Jivanta Bai asked, reading her face, “Is it not some sunshine after ...

Legend of Maharana Pratap: Kika

The Bullock cart stopped in the middle of the forest. The scorching heat of the summer sun over the head. It made the woman sweat. It had been a long time since she had been outdoors in the summer sun this way. Kunwar Pratap was holding the reins of the cart. He was in a simple white angrakha and a red pagri. Those that commoners often wear. He glanced over his shoulder at his mother. She looked tired in her simple green lehenga. Her face was covered in a semi-transparent dupatta. "Do you need to stop for water?" He enquired. Jaivanta shook her head at her concerned son. He was barely twelve, yet he spoke like a protective man. They had stopped twice on their way from Jallore to Bhilwara. Once, they had bought this commoner attire from a local market. They had paid a young woman handsomely for buying it for them. Then they stopped for the night at a traveller's den on the way. These traveller's dens were made by Sher Shah for traders who stopped on their way to Surat....

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...

Legend of Maharana Pratap: A Prince is Born

The scorching summer heat gave some relief to Jaivanta Bai once the sun came down on the western horizon between the cliffs of the Aravallis. From the window of the Rani Mahal of Kumbha Palace, she could see the wide walls of Kumbhalgarh, the decorated roofs of the temples, and guards with torches. She prayed from her window as the Vaid had advised her not to move around much. The last few days have been difficult. Her feet were swollen, and no amount of painkillers helped. Daima inspected her once again. "The prince is due any time soon." She had whispered to Sajja Bai. She placed her hand on her swollen belly gently, singing lullabies to her child. Daima said he could now hear and recognise her voice. Her mother used to sing her these songs once. It seemed like a distant past now, almost like a dream. She could not wait to be a mother. Teach her son everything she wanted in a man. A man who would be chivalrous and could stand up for himself. He should be brave enough to ta...

Legend of Maharana Pratap: A Prince in Exile

"Jija, your fear has blinded you." Dheer Bai's words to Jaivanta Bai made everyone gasp. The entire Rani Mahal of Chittorgarh had gathered in the hall. Jaivanta Bai had accused Dheer Bai of poisoning her son's milk. "I know you did it." Jaivanta's lips trembled. Her eyes were teary with fear. A copper glass of milk lay spilt across the floor. Kunwar Pratap stared at his mother in shock. "Your wet nurse was seen around the milk." Dheer Bai let out a soft chuckle. "Just because Jagmal's nurse was around, it does not mean..." "You hate Pratap. I know you do." Jaivanta Bai spoke firmly. "Why will I hate him? He is like my son." Dheer Bai defended. "Like..." Jaivanta shook her head. "It is not the same." "Ranima." Kunwar Pratap held his mother's hand. "I am fine." "If your servant did not notice the slight change of colour, the milk would have killed you." His mo...

RAABTA

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