Pratap sat up, scratching his head. It had been barely an hour since he had napped. Ajabde was not on the couch. With a frown, he looked into the empty room and found her trying to rearrange the necklace and Sitahaar that seemed to have tangled together.
" Can I help?" He asked, amused.
" No, I can....!" He nodded and was about to leave.
" Princy!" He stopped looking at her. She got up and walked to him.
" Bolo."
" Can I take a selfie?" She smiled.
" In this tired look?" He frowned.
" Who cares?" She shrugged, taking out her phone.
" Only if you don't pout!" He smiled at the snap.
As the knock resounded, she managed to drop her veil over her head, making him smile before he opened the door. It was a smiling Heer, followed by Mahek, Bhago, Jaso, Asha, and Rosalina, followed by an almost chuckling Shakti, Ven, Rohan and Chaks. Sangram seemed to be accompanying them unwillingly to increase the number of heads in the crowd.
" What took you so long?" The question that he could read on all their amused faces was spoken aloud by Rosalina.
" I was napping!" He shrugged, moving away as the crowd of investigators walked in, scrutinising everything.
" You were not supposed to sleep!" Chaks complained, " We were forced to stay awake all night." He looked tired.
" Yes, I had fun; we had a boys' bonfire." Rohan smiled as Ven agreed.
" Huh, we had a better night gossiping!" Bhago giggled.
" What's with girls and gossip?" Rohan frowned.
" Same as boys and drinks!" Mahek smiled.
" Where's Ajab?" Bhago went into the other room as they heard a " Bhago." Then a helpless "I'm stuck!"
" Let me go ask her. This one is a tough nut to crack." Ven looked at Pratap.
" Bhujaisa! Khamma Ghani!" Ven smiled as Ajabde looked at him from behind her veil with a frown.
" So you slept last night?" Ven was about to sit down.
" Not at all," was a reply that made everyone laugh, and Pratap shook his head, murmuring
" Stop talking!"
" That's great! What were you... erm... doing?" Ven chuckled.
" Counting stars." She seemed excited as the others stared, confused, and Pratap smiled.
" Happy now?" He broke the silence.
" Kunwarsa, Hansa Bua said that... umm... You should get ready here. We are taking Jija to the downstairs hall to get her ready. The Bidai Muhurat is in an hour."
Pratap nodded at the calm and understanding Heer, who he found a lot like himself, as Shakti smiled at the calm, smiling face.
Bhago and Mahek were soon redoing her makeup as Ranima walked in with Hansa. Her mother's grim face forced Ajab to look away as Bhago saw her eyes twinkle with tears she wanted to hide. Ranima put her veil down and walked her out to the ground. She could hear her mother sniff as she closed her eyes and then opened them to see her father, Mamasa, Mamisa, and her sisters standing there near the mandap.
Today, the havan kund was replaced by a seat for the couple. Pratap was already there with Shakti when she walked up to him as he stood up, trying to read her hidden face. She didn't look up. Bhago placed the gat Bandhan cloth across his shoulders as it was tied to her chunri, and made Ajab sit down.
Ram came first as they touched his feet, and he placed his hand on Ajabde's head, making her cry out.
" Papa", before hugging him.
" Aree Angel, you are not going anywhere, you know, you can see me every day, when you want, stop crying."
He patted his daughter's head as Pratap first looked at Ajabde with a grim face, then managed a faint smile at her father, who nodded. Hansa walked up to the stage as she hugged Pratap, and he wiped away her tears before Ajabde hugged her tightly, not letting go. Ranima walked up to separate the duo as she cried, hugging Ranima as well. Ajabde Punwar had never even imagined crying so much in her life.
Heer walked up, saying " Jija," with a teary voice as she got a hug, and a lone tear passed her eyes and fell on her cheek. Pratap looked at them and then at Shakti, asking.
" You told...?"
" No."
" When..."
" I don't know." Shakti looked away.
After hugging everyone and touching their feet, Ajabde was exhausted from all the crying. They were sitting while Ranima and Ranaji were making arrangements for the Bidaai procession and the welcome. The only people surrounding them were Ven, Chaks, Rosalina and Shakti.
" You are... okay?" He whispered.
" Yes." Her reply was not convincing enough. Pratap had no idea how to console her. He chose to be quiet. Suddenly, he frowned and asked Shakti,
" Where are my nagras? It was there a moment ago!" Shakti looked wide-eyed at Ven as Chaks went, " Ohh shit!" The girls seemed to be missing all of a sudden, all of them except Rosalina, who clearly had no clue what was going on.
" Who took it?" Shakti wondered aloud.
" Mahek!" Ajabde's voice made them turn to her, shocked.
" How do you know that?" Pratap's question was asked by Ven.
" I saw her, take it, right under your noses."
" And you said nothing because..." Pratap frowned.
" I was busy crying." She replied plainly.
" Where have they kept it?" Ven Chaks and Shakti were looking all over the ground and the halls. There was no sign of the girls or the shoes. Chaks was on the Balcony when he saw the girls surrounding Pratap.
" Quick, he needs us!" He called the others as if they were in a war.
" Dekhiye Kunwarsa, hum ne kabhi apko trouble nahi kiya, humara ek kaha toh aap manenge, nikaliye nek!" Heer was smiling as Ajabde watched Pratap, all confused.
" Woh sab to thik hai, I have a question!" Pratap made the girls stare at each other.
"Kya?" Mahek asked.
" Bhago is group mein kyun hai?" He pointed. " You should be on my side."
" Ji nahi, pehle hum Ajab ki friend hai!" She nodded, " Aap chodiye baat ghumana, hum nek leke rahenge!"
" Aree... aise kaise de de nek!" Shakti's voice made them turn.
" Tumhari Shadi hai?" Mahek's question made him turn all red and stare at Heer, who was looking away,
" Nahi."
" To tum kyun beech mein taang aara rahe ho?"
" Dadabhai ko bachana is my duty." He smiled.
"Oh, Duty! Jab naak ke niche se juta le gaye tabh kaha thee tum?" Bhago laughed. Chaks was suddenly all serious, " Dekho Bhago, mahurat ho gaya hai, juta wapas ..."
" Pehle nek!" Heer interrupted.
" Thik hai baccho nek mil jaega, Juta de do." Udai Singh smiled.
" Sorry, Ranaji pehle nek," Mahek spoke up.
" Thik hai Pratap de do nek!" Udai Singh smiled.
" Haan Haan Ajab ko ghar le jana hai ya nahi?" Rohan's words made the guys turn to him angrily.
" What? Am ladkiwale." He shrugged as the girls laughed.
" Chalo Ajabde."
Hansa took her hand and escorted her to the red doli, taken by eight men, with golden drapes. She sat inside as Pratap mounted his horse. Although the journey to the Palace was merely ten minutes, Ajabde felt like it was the longest ten minutes of her life. Her own self worried her. She could see that the Employees' families and villagers had gathered on both sides of the path leading out of the ground and to the palace entrance. Ranaji and Ranima had left ahead in the car. As the doli was placed down, Flower petals were rained on the couple by the servants. Ajab was ready to step out when Bhago gave her a hand, but before stepping out, she removed the flower petals that had fallen on her path. He noticed that, though nobody else did, and it made him smile.
Ranima had changed into a cream saree with a red velvet blouse, embroidered heavily and had her pallu over her head. Her maangtika shone brightly, so did her nose ring. Ajabde was helped up the stairs by Bhago as Pratap followed. Ranima did her aarti before placing the rice Kalash at her feet.
" Tilt it," was followed by a warning. " Slowly." That made Bhago and Pratap share a glance and smile. She did as she was told, then she stepped on the saucer of Alta and Milk and walked inside. She was made to sit in the hall for the Muh Dikhayi as Pratap left for his room. Unfortunately, his Kakisa informed him that he had to stay in Brownie's room until the reception.
He shrugged as he entered the bright pink room that hurt his eyes, as Brownie jumped on him in happiness, wagging his tail.
" Hey buddy, yeah, we missed you too." He patted, trying to get the dog off in vain.
Shakti walked in with a chuckle, " Look who has been displaced from his own..." He stopped at Pratap's stare.
" I was talking of Brownie."
" Yeah, right, so you decided against telling her?" Pratap was direct with his question.
" I didn't get the opportunity..." He looked away.
" Make one." Pratap went up to the window as he spoke.
" How?" He was confused.
" Look!" He pointed at Heer, walking towards the main gate with a pooja thali in hand as Shakti rushed out, making Pratap smile.
Ajabde was sitting among the ladies, a little jittery. Some were very polite, others a little taunting. On any normal day, Ajabde Punwar would reply to the taunts, but she was not sure how Ajabde Pratap Singh should behave as of yet.
" I am dying to see her face now, Ranisa, kitna intezaar karvaengi aap!" One of the guests giggled, " Have to see the commoner girl whom you chose over the Princesses," said another.
She smiled politely as the women came up to her for the Muh dikhayi and gave her gifts.
Ranima came last with Kakisa, and this time Ajabde smiled a genuine smile as she lifted the veil and Ranima gifted her a sleek platinum bracelet. What she liked most was that it was curved with a " P" in diamonds. Ranima and her choices always made Ajabde smile.
" Bhago, take her to the room. Ajabde, change and rest a little till lunch, after that, you have to get ready for the reception tonight."
Bhago walked up to Pratap's room with Ajabde and shut the door behind her. Ajabde unveiled herself, much to her relief, as she sat on the four-poster bed and looked around the room, smiling. Everything was the way she wanted.
Bhago helped her change into a red and gold saree that was much lighter than the lehenga, and Ajabde felt she could breathe again. While removing her jewellery, Bhago went to attend a call on the Balcony. As she sat smiling at her own reflection with the sindoor and mangal sutra, she looked like a perfect newlywed. A knock made her stand up as Bhago opened the door to find Pratap in a red kurta and white pyjamas.
" I ..." He started.
" You can not come in, Ranisa said." Bhago was strict.
" I forgot my charger here." He explained.
" I don't trust you, Kunwarsa, I'm sorry." He stole a glance at his giggling bride before the door shut in his face.
" But..."
Heer was at the temple, in her orange Anarkali Salwar, dupatta on her head, eyes closed, hands folded. Suddenly, she heard two elderly ladies remark,
" Pehle behen ne fasa liya Rajkumar ko, ab yeh dusri wali chali!"
Her brows frowned a little as she stared at the duo walking away, and she turned around wide-eyed to see Shakti in an orange tee shirt and jeans, standing behind her, smiling, his hands folded for the deity. She walked past him down the stairs as he followed. Heer didn't turn back as she ran through the village; he followed, maintaining a safe distance. Her heart was beating fast as her mother's words came to her mind, and she increased her pace. She stopped at the pond side, breathless. She turned around, and he was not there. She breathed a sigh of relief and sat down at the bank.
" Tum bhaag kisse rahe ho?" His voice behind her startled her. She got up wide-eyed.
" Kun...Kunwarsa... aap... aap yaha kyun?" She fumbled, looking away.
" Kyunki maine dekha tum akele aa rahi thi aur mujhe laga..."
" I can take care of myself ." She was trying to be rude.
" Heer..."
" Please let me go."
" Why are you behaving like this?" He was surprised.
He held her wrist as she looked at him, teary-eyed. He let go, surprised.
" Let me go."
Heer's eyes were begging him as if she were stuck in her position.
" I never want to let you go." His eyes spoke sincerity. " But... I have never been serious and..."
Heer froze; she took his confession as his way of saying what she now decided to tell him herself.
" I enjoyed Jija's wedding, making memories in it, but that is it, nothing more, I hope you know that." Her words shook him. He couldn't believe that for the first time, he had liked someone genuinely, and she claimed to have been making memories with him. Heer walked away, hiding her tears as he stood dumbfounded.
" These stupid tears." Ajabde wiped them off as Bhago hugged her. Ranima walked in as Ajabde smiled in her tears. And Bhago decided to leave the duo alone.
" Ranima, aap kitni thaki hui ho! Baith jao na." She patted the place beside her as Jaivanta sat smiling. " Meri beti upset hai?"
" Nahin to!" She lied with a smile.
A knock resounded as he peeped in. Yeh fir aa gaya! Ajabde looked away.
" Ayiye Pratap, hum e kuch baat karni hai."
Pratap's brows narrowed a little as he entered.
" Ajabde." Ranima held her hand. " I want you to promise me something."
" Promise Pakka Promise!" She nodded, making him and Ranima smile.
" Aree pehle sunn toh lo."
" Apne manga to Promise!" Ajabde smiled back at Ranima.
" Main yeh kehena chahti thi ke haan abhi hum Royals hai, we have a set of rules, decorum and everything, but Ajabde, I don't want to lose my crazy little Angel in all these, promise me you won't change yourself ever. Ajabde Punwar yaha jis freedom ke saath pali bari hai, ussi freedom ke saath Ajabde Singh jeeyegi!"
" Ohh, God!" Pratap's exclamation made the ladies stare. " Aap sab kitna drama karte ho, main jaa raha hoon!"
" Pratap!" Ranima scolded.
"Haan haan, maine na itna insensitive insaan duniye mein nahi dekha." Ajabde taunted.
" Haan tumhare duniya mein hai hi kitne log? Rohan, Mahek. Chaks, Bhago. Ranima, yehi hai tumhari duniya!"
" Ranima, I promise you main hamesha aapko aisehi pagal karti rahungi." She ignored him, hugging her.
" Mujhe kyun bulaya?" Pratap stared at the duo.
Ranima went to his cupboard as they looked at each other, clueless.
" Maine ek gift banaya tha for your room." She took out a large portrait-size thing wrapped in gift paper.
"Tum dono yeh dekh ke niche aa jana, lunch ke liye." She left smiling.
" Gift wrap!" Ajabde exclaimed like those were diamonds. He stared in surprise as she sat down, making the gift lie on the carpet, and she attacked it, tearing it apart. He stood waiting for her to finish as her hand travelled to her cheeks, exclaiming.
" Haww look, Princy, this is so..."
He stared at the golden-framed collage and smiled. It had their pictures cropped and collages right from their birthday party till their engagement, moments captured and cherished, missed and relived. He knelt down beside her and pointed at a particular picture.
" Look, Fat!" he pointed, chuckling.
" Look, Spoilt!!" she taunted.
" I was never!"
" Look, Oh my gosh, where on earth did Ranima get the car selfie?"
" Technically, Ma'am, if you share it on social media, anyone can ..."
" It will go on that wall. " She pointed.
" Perfect!" He smiled at the empty wall and then at her.
" This is perfect!" She replied, smiling back as eyes met.
" No, we are perfect!" He made her blush.
