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Sounds Like A Plan

Ajabde opened her eyes at a tug at her blanket.
" Mom!" She yelled, eyes still closed." Five minutes."
" It's me Bhago!"
" Uff what is it?"
" Woh... yeh tere haat mein kya hai?"
" Kya?"
" Churiyaan?" She jumped up startled at the words.
" What? How on earth did I sleep with these on?"
" You bought these?" Bhago looked suspicious.
" Yeah I bought these. Look these are yours!" She opened her bag and gave her.
" Ohh no, I have to go give Ranima!"
" You are going nowhere except my place. You are helping me get ready for the sagaai."
" When's the sagaai?"
" Today!!!" Bhago dragged her up.
" Okay okay, let me dress."

She took out an electric blue saari from the wardrobe and teamed it with a black blouse. She checked herself in the mirror.
" Am I fat Bhago?"
" No, you are not, Kisne bola?"
" Aisehi asking."

Chakrapani was getting ready for his engagement and checking on the fittings of his kurta.
" Baojiraj!" He breathed in. " Am so nervous!" All of a sudden Pratap remembered " Specimens" a smile curved his lips.
" Wah, You are looking good." Jaivanta Came in.
"Thank You Ranisa"
" When your wedding is done, find a bride for him too." Chaks smiled at Pratap.
" Ranima don't start!"
" RajKumari na bhi ho must have a golden heart!"
" Ranisa ask him if he likes someone"
" Uff am leaving." Pratap left his mother and friend laughing.

" Uff I don't like mehendi Bhago."
" Shut up and sit quietly!" She reluctantly let the local mehendi man make a small floral design on both her hands.
" I hate this smell."
" Hushh"

In the evening the common lawn of the Employees Quarters was decorated with lights and flowers. People started coming in. At last, the groom's family arrived with Pratap and Ranisa with them.
One girl, another employee's daughter and resident was telling another, " Look the prince! Their families are pretty close, Chaks, Bhagwati and Ram Uncle's too."
" I saw that girl in the car today with him."
" Which girl?"
" Dilli wali!"
" Chal let's see Kunwarsa!"

He was wearing a light blue kurta. She spotted him surrounded by a few girls trying to get away and smiled. Once left alone, she attacked him like Jhasi Ki Rani.
" You! Princy hoke copy karte hui sharm nahi aye!"
" What copy?"
" Blue. I chose Blue!"
" Huh. Copy and tumko? Strange Girl!"
" Arreee am wearing this since morning!"
" How will I know? Was I supposed to follow you or was it on the news?"
"Urgh!"
A waiter interrupted them.
" Wow jalebi! Eeewww Mehendi."
" What?"
" I hate this smell, spoon se can't have Jalebi na!"
He grabbed a plate and offered her a bite. She stared at him and then ate.
" OMG! What will the Surajgarh Chaap think?"
" I don't care!" He copied her tone making her laugh.
Hansa came looking here and there when he quickly ate the last piece pretending the plate was his and he was not feeding anyone but himself.
" Areee that was mine!" Came a soft protest from his side.
" Ajabde! How are you talking to Kunwarsa!" Hansa caught Ajabde off guard.
" Mom?"
" Say sorry right now!"
" Sorry!"
" Kya? Sunai nahi di" He smiled.
" Then look for a hearing aid." She walked off.
" Sorry beta Usko samajh nahi hai!"
" No No mausi. This is 2015, so technically, we are more of a business empire than royals!"

Ajabde went to sit with Bhago.
" Kya hua?"
" Kuch nahi."
The engagement time was here, and they exchanged rings. Jaivanta caught Ajab in a saree for the first time.
" My princess, you look so pretty!"
" Ranima see, mehendi!"
" Hansa, ab toh mehendi par naam likhne ka bhi time aa gaya. She is all grown up!"
" Ji Ranisa."
" What? Ranima. Do you want to get rid of me so soon? Am I that bad?"
" Mera bas chale, I never let you go away from me!" Jaivanta hugged her lovingly. Pratap stared from a distance and smiled. She stuck out her tongue at him, making him chuckle.

Later that night, in a less crowded dinner, Chaks sat with Pratap and Ajabde, who were busy with her two scoops of ice cream with extra everything!
" Baojiraj, I was thinking, let's do a small bachelor's trip this weekend!"
" Ohh Ohh I wana go too!" She startled them. " Weekend nahi Long trip! The whole of Rajasthan!"
" Do you even know what a Bachelor's trip is?" Pratap chuckled.
" Ya I know, I have seen on TV, mujhe jaana hai!"
Bhago came in between the conversation, managing her lehenga,
" Jaana hai? Where?"
" Bachelor's Trip!" Ajabde replied excitedly.
" What?"
" No baby! I meant You are going too, we all are going!" Chaks explained.
" Kyaa?" Pratap asked surprised.
" Yay! Where are we going?" Ajabde cut in.
"Let's ask Ven and the guys!" Pratap suggested.
" Baojiraj leave them, woh kaunsa humare tarah bachpan k dost hai."
" Found It!" Ajabde sprang showing everyone her phone screen.
" Kya?" All asked together.
" Place. Mt. Abu. Hills.Lakes, Perfect!" Bhago and Chaks seemed happy, Pratap got up.
" I need to go book the best resort there. Lakeside cottages. Perfect."
" Stop, ek minute princy!"
" Kya?"
" You are a prince, not us!"
" What?"
" Itne Paise nahi hai!"
" Am paying. As a gift to them!"
" Wah! then book a seven star, khilana jamke, n kanjusi!"
Pratap stared at Bhago. She said, " Ajabde sit quietly now." Pratap leaves.


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