Skip to main content

Meri Tum!

" Mausi Kaki kaise bann gayi?" Amar frowned at his parents as Ajabde and Pratap looked at each other. Amar who always had a good ear had heard Heer's mention more than once on the engagement issue from various sources and had asked Aarchi. Aarchi was smart enough to get it out of Chaks and inform Amar who was now utterly confused. He decided to go to the only two people who could answer him now.

Pratap got up from the couch and immediately got busy with a file clearly indicating to Ajabde that it was her turn to explain. Ajabde made Amar sit on her lap as she caressed his hair.
" Woh kya hai na ke Mausi Kakasa ko itna pasand ayi ke woh Kaki bann gayi."
" Hein?" Amar still looked confused as Pratap frowned at Ajabde.
" Yeh kya bole jaa rahi ho tum?" He interrupted.
" Toh tum bolo. Bolo. Bolo." She urged.
" Umm... woh Kakasa aur Mausi ki shadi fix hui na toh..." Amar decided that Ranima's explanation was better. Papa always complicated things beyond his understanding. He interrupted asking,
" Toh kya Papa ko bhi Ranima pasand ayi?"
That made Ajabde look wide-eyed at the boy as Pratap smiled amused.
" Ayi na... agar nahi aati toh aj Ranima Aunty ji hoti." He chuckled.
" Hein... aisa thodi hota hai, tabh to Amar hi nahi..." Ajabde started as Pratap stopped her.
" Tumse bacche ke samne kisine biology ki gyaan mangi? Nahi na?!" He took Amar's hand and knelt to his height.
" Meri baat dhyaan se suno Amar, you will NOT take Kakasa's name in front of Mausi kal until the Sagaai is over."
" Aisa kyun?"
" Kyunki we will surprise Mausi."
" Yay, surprise."
" Hush." Amar nodded before hugging them goodnight as Ajabde excitedly blabbered on about the Sagaai the next day that Pratap decided to act like listening to while he worked.

The dawn saw Hansa's house in a mess as People ran here and there, someone lost jewellery while someone misplaced a key. Everyone was in a hurry to reach the temple. Ajabde drove up to the porch in Black Beauty with Amar and reminded him of the Dos and Don'ts once again. Amar was in a plum-coloured suit much "like Papa is in office" to his utter happiness. He even had a tie with it. Ajab was in an all-royal avatar as she decided to enjoy this wedding like never before. Her whitish golden embroidered lehenga had a Fushcia choli and a baby pink dupatta. Her hair was made into a fishtail braid to flaunt her long hair and she wore the traditional necklace, maangtika and nosering as per the traditions with her gold bangles. Her Payal was the one Pratap gifted a few days ago on karvachaut.

She entered the house and laughed at the scene as people were running helter-skelter and even bumping into each other. Mahek and Rohan who decided to stay back and extend their holidays till the wedding stopped annoyed at the perfectly dressed Ajabde as Mahek searched her phone and Rohan his purse.
" Ayi dekho Kuwaranisa." Mahek smiled taunting. Amar rushed to Rohan as Ajabde indicated to him not to let Amar go out of his sight hence, to Heer.

Ajabde entered her old bedroom as Heer sat in an aqua-blue lehenga with Maroon borders and a red dupatta. She smiled at how pretty Heer looked but there was a sign of irritation on her face.
" Nahi ma." She stopped her mother from putting on another Sitahaar over her neckpiece. "I have worn enough."
" Aree beta sagaai roz roz thodi..."
" Mera mann nahi hai." Rajlaxmi saw Ajabde come in and left the room.
" Jaso, yeh bangles utar do heavy hai," Heer complained.
" Aree aree, nahi." Ajabde stopped her. " You look perfect." Her hand reached to adjust the maangtika.
" Chalo ladkiyaan time ho gaya hai," Hansa called.

Ajabde was about to pull Heer up when she got up all by herself and her eyes twinkled. She hugged a taken-aback Ajabde. Ajabde patted her little sister's head and whispered,
" Jo hota hai acche ke liye hota hai. Remember that!" She smiled a little guilty. Surprise ke chakkar mein bohot pareshaaan... Her thoughts were cut off by a familiar sound. The sounds of Heer's Payal, as she walked away with Jaso and Asha, were... exactly... like hers. A smile curved her face. Love is worth all this and more... Shit Ajabde you are acting weird and emotional. She nodded her head before following Heer.

Heer entered the mandir, flocked by people as she could only sense the havan kund in the middle from behind her dupatta. Shakti sat in an aqua blue Jodhpuri Sherwani with cream pants and a maroon pagri as per the traditions with the royal brooch. Ajabde walked ahead of Heer and winked at Shakti n her way in as all eyes were on her. Everyone smiled as Pratap shook his head. He was made to wear a baby pink suit by Ranima much to his annoyance. Shakti's heart was beating fast and his eyes were fixed at the door. The last thing he wanted was for her to see him and run away. All night he had thought out the worst possible reactions out of Heer but still, his heart hoped and prayed he was wrong. Ajabde joined Pratap who looked at her up and down as she frowned " Kya?"
" Main dekh raha hoon."
" Kya?"
" Kisiko kitna pink pehenna aata hai."
" Pink." She giggled pointing at him as he stared at her to make her stop.
" Aj sab speciman lag rahe hai!" Amar declared glaring at his parents.
" Speci... Ajabde, why do you teach him all these?" Pratap frowed as Ajabde corrected.
" Specimens Amar! Bade log aise hi hote hai."

Shakti saw her, well all of her except her face as she walked into the mandir with all eyes on her. The sound of her Payal made him sigh inwardly as a smile curved his face. She chose to wear my gift.

Heer had no intention or will to look up and check on the groom. They would all be the same to her. They were not the ones she could love. They were.... she looked up from behind her veil and thought she was dreaming. It was a pleasant dream she never wanted to wake up from. But... But... Heer was utterly confused. The rasm was going on, Panditji was doing the pujas, and she stared at everyone visible to her, Pratap and Ajabde, Ranaji, Ranisa, Choti Ranisa, and Bade Kunwarsa all were so happy. Her own parents were talking with Shakti's. But how? Was it another cruel joke they were playing or was it all real? For a moment Heer felt like she would scream, then she was all blank, especially after seeing his nervous smile.
" Jaso." She whispered beside her.
" Ji Jija?"
" Call Ajabde Jija to me."

Ajabde took a deep breath and put up a smile as she sat behind Heer asking " Kya hua?"
" Kya hua? Jija aap jante hai..."
" Tum khush ho na?" Ajabde smiled.
" Lekin, yeh... kaise...."
" Woh tum fursat se Shakti se pooch lena, ab mujhe bohot kaam hai bye!" Heer kept staring at Ajabde walk away. She decided to take things as they come, with a shy smile.

Shakti was looking at his bride scared and nervous. He didn't know the kind of reaction she would give. Moreover, what irritated him most apart from the fact that they were in a crowd sitting together yet couldn't talk was the fact that he couldn't read her covered face. One look at her eyes could give him some temporary relief. He knew the " Talk" was somewhere shortly and he anticipated as well as dreaded it. He decided to take things as they come with a nervous smile.

Amar was playing in Ajabde's room that evening. He insisted on staying with Heer Mausi and refused to call her Kakisa much to Ajabde's happiness and Pratap's dismay. He was busy with his Hotwheels collection as Heer was undoing her jewellery. Everyone else was downstairs unwrapping her gifts. She had excused herself with Amar's help as he nagged her to go upstairs with him. Ajabde had left Amar repeatedly instructing everyone to get him to the Palace by 8 so that he didn't trouble the early morning Mehendi rasms. Heer looked at Amar playing and asked awkwardly,
" Kakasa ne kuch kaha kya?"
" Kaha na..."
" Kya?"
" Amar mujhe taang maat karo aj mera masti ka mood nahi hai."
" Kab kaha?" She frowned. Was he being forced...
" Subah."
Heer smiled and shook her head,
" Main evening ki puch rahi thi."
" Aapko milna hai unse?" Amar's question made Heer skip a heartbeat.
" Kya? Nahi... Nahi..."
" Waise unhone evening ko pond ke paas jaenge bola tha..." Amar thought aloud. " Haan! Last mein bye bolke wohi bola tha!" He smiled.
" Kya?" Heer's eyes widened. " Amar hum... hum dono walk pe chale?"
" Yay walk... kaha jaenge?"
" Pond ke paas, tumhe ducks pasand hai na.... waha evening ko they rest."
" Yay chaliye na chaliye Mausi. Abhi Chaliye."
" Kapde to badalne do." Heer nervously hurried to change. She dreaded this meeting but wanted it more. Something told her so, did he.

Shakti was at the pond side, hoping and praying his little minion remembered his words and told the right person at the right time. He didn't have the guts to call her there himself, still scared of her reactions. Her Payal made him turn as Amar hugged " Kakasaaa!" and replied back to Heer " Told you he will be here." That made Heer go all red and Shakti all pale.
" Woh main...." Heer started as Shakti turned to Amar.
" Minion, dekho jaake kitne ducks hai."
" Paani ke paas maat jana." Heer added scared watching Amar run.
" Actually I..."
" Apka problem kya hai?"
" Kya?" He looked surprised.
" Nahi aapko kuch problem hai. Aap aate ho, chale jaate ho, jab baat karni hoti hai aap nahi karte jab mann hota gaana gaa lete ho... apka ..." Heer went on narrowing her eyes.
" Tum meri amanat kisi aur ko saupne chali thi, toh maine le liya." He cut her words as she stared stunned.
" Aap... aap samajhte kya ho apne aapko? Aapko kya lagta hai main... main....itni serious hoon ke main... apke liye intezaar karti? Uske liye jisne roka bhi nahi?"
" To tum itne saal bin behaye kar kya rahi thi?" He asked a little amused.
" Woh mera choice tha!"
" Accha? Toh yeh mera choice hai."
" Hum aapse shaadi nahi kar sakte."
" Tumhe nahi lagta ke sagaai ke baad yeh bolna thoda der..."
" Hum mile kal aapse aapne hum ko jaan bujh ke andhere mein rakha, you tricked me!"
" Ohh bol deta to kar leti shadi bina tamasha kiye?" Shakti was angry.
" Tamasha? Aapne toh wohi banake choda mera." She was in tears.

"Ajabde, let's go back, hum elders hai this is so wrong!" Pratap tried in vain from behind the bush he was forced to hide in, by his wife who was listening to the conversation she was waiting for.
" Hush, tumhe jana hai tum jao."
" Ab kaise jau bina unko darshan diye." He shook his head. " You should have been a detective. Tumne Shakti ko follow kiya, aur usse pata tak nahi chala." He was amused as she stared making him stop.

" I love you," Shakti spoke up determined looking into her eyes.
" Jhut bol rahe hai aap." She replied scared to believe what she heard.
" You know what problem mujhme nahi, tum mein hai, tum pehle se soch chuki ho ke main ek bhot bura ladka hoon aur mujhe kabhi pyar nahi ho sakta. Sab mazak hai, mera intezaar, mera pyar, mera commitment." His eyes teared up as his voice choked.
" Aap London ke badde log hai, bhala Bijolia ki ek sadharan ladki aapko pasand aye aisa kaise ho sakta hai?"
" Jab se I met you I didn't like another girl and you were making memories!"
" Kyun karte aap mujh jaisi ladki se pyaar?"
" Kyunki tum pyaar ke liye bani ho, tumse toh koi flirt kar bhi nahi sakta."
Heer looked at his face stunned. The next moment she was hugging him tightly as her tears fell free and he hugged her back, wiping away his own.

" Yay!" Ajabde was so happy that she hugged Pratap who was surprised by his wife.
" Kya kar rahi ho khuli garden mein?"
" Biwi hoon!" She smiled. " Chalo unke samne chalke..."
" No No NO!" he protested.
" Thik hai... phir?" Ajabde asked confused.
" Phir Yay! Mubarak ho, we did it!" He hugged her back as she struggled,
" Chodo, we nahi I , Mrs Ajabde Pratap Singh, Kuwarani of Surajgarh did it." She flaunted.

" How dare you make me cry like this on my engagement? Yeh baat kal bhi ho sakti thi na!" Heer frowned giving Shakti a playful punch as he smiled.
" Toh, are you ready to be Mrs Shakti Singh ya ap ko new memories banani hai ab?"
" Banani hai saath saath." She smiled.
" Amar kaha hai?" They said together looking around.

Amar Singh was counting the ducks until they started moving. It confused him as sometimes they were ten and sometimes eight. He decided to leave the ducks and go roaming in the adjacent garden. While looking for flowers Amar saw Ranima's dupatta. He was delighted that she was there to take him home from this boring walk but then frowned as he saw Papa hug Ranima. And Amar thought Papa loved him most!
" Aap kya kar rahe hai? Aap mujhse pyaar nahi karte?" Amar's voice broke them apart as they looked stunned. Before they could react Amar was actually shouting,
" Papa mujhse pyaar nahi karte."
" Hush," they said in vain.
Hearing Amar's voice Heer and Shakti followed it and were taken aback to see Pratap, Ajabde they expected but Pratap!
" Hum walk pe aye!" Ajabde smiled holding Pratap's upper arm!
" Hum bhi aye thee walk pe!" Amar jumped up. Then remembered it again.
" Papa Ranima ko yaha hug kar rahe thee."
Heer and Shakti inhaled to control their laughter as they shared an amused glance Pratap looked a little embarrassed and Ajabde picked up her kid saying
" Chalo Sone."
" But Ranima am hungry." Amar frowned at being picked up.
" Toh Chalo khaane."
" Nani ke ghar?"
" Nahi Mahal!"
Pratap offered to drop Heer home as Shakti followed Ajabde and Amar amused at their conversation about how birds fly using magic.

Pratap and Ajabde were sitting with the Event Manager's catalogue. There was so much to do and so little time.
" Theme wedding Jodha Akbar!" Ajabde concluded.
" Ab bolo Cinderella! Kya bakwas!" Pratap laughed.
" Neons!" She pointed at the colour palette.
" Brown and Gold." He replied.
" Meri choice." She narrowed her eyes at him.
" Mera Bhai." He smiled.
" Mera Devaar Meri Behen." She pointed at him.
" Aur Meri Tum!" He took her hand and they started laughing.
" Hush!" Came a noise from the open door as they looked up to see a sleepy-eyed Amar.
" Aap dono ke liye nini tut gayi." He frowned. " I l complaint Dadisa."
" Come here, baby!" Ajabde got up to take him to sleep while Pratap smiled and returned to the catalogues.


Comments

  1. Little Minion... HATH JOD KE PRANAM!!! he sure is ten more times the Ajabde with added intelligence of Pratap! GOD help his parents... Shakti n Heer confession was a good one... n Pratap spying was the best part... Pyar me log kya kya kar baithte hai??? Ajab as always rocking :0)

    ReplyDelete
  2. yesterday was a little free so went back to read the story from the beginning... normally you tend to skip words or parts from the text that is once read! but I went through the entire updates word to word n not only tht but also the comment section!!! u sure have the power of words to engage people time n again...

    ReplyDelete
  3. You were re reading the entire thing? Wow. I actually tend to do that only after I complete a story. And I skip most of it as I go through. Its really amazing you didnt skip. Thanks a ton. And humara minion toh ten times hoga hi. He's gen next. Ab pratap toh bohot much already kar raha pyaar Mein. Ab uski aadat Ho gayi to do things he never dreamt of doing ever thanks to the zoo he calls family. Lol.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I could read till their reception only. But yes the excitement was still there... n maybe just maybe some day I wish they could confess the feelings by remembering events before their wedding... like what made them fall for each other after seeing their grown up sides! These conversations at times are very soothing rather than any other thing...

    ReplyDelete
  5. From where I know Ajab andPratap they never stopped fallinf in love, be it through their separated teenage years to their first meet at the airport to her crazy antics and his boring Practicality.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tht is true... but thts what I was saying such conversations remembering old times n letting each other know what they likd at that perticular time makes each other fall in love again or even more

    ReplyDelete
  7. A couple is always in love but things start croppong up when they forget to rediscover each other... n memories is a way of doing that! You can observe this in any happy couple n otherwise in an unhappy couple... again the rediscovery has to be on both the sides...

    ReplyDelete
  8. PrAja have too much excitement as of now in their relationship, what happens to them in five more years, we don't know though!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Swept Off!

Pratap was in his office the next day, in a light yellow shirt and blue pants, with a pile of files when the cycle ring made him look out of the window. Within 5minutes she was knocking on his chamber door. She walked in, in a frog printed long top paired with her jeans. " Sir..." " You don't need to, now everyone knows." " knows what?" She asked frowning. " Leave it, say..." " I need to leave around 2 today, Rohan's coming in the 5PM flight." She hid a smile. " So? What will you do from two? Dress up and wait for him?" His taunt had anger. " No, am going to pick them up!" She seemed excited. " What? Why? He can get a cab!" He shrugged. "Mahek doesn't ride cabs!" She copied Mahek's tone. " Ohh Mahek! Take my car!" " Excuse me?" She narrowed her eyes at him. " Gaddi leke jao, bechari ko tumhare choti si gaddi mein takleef hogi!...

Unsaid

" Keep the Lehenga in this one, that jewellery in the box." Jaivanta Bai was ordering around. Kunwar Shakti entered with an equally stunned Kunwar Pratap at the scene as the hall turned into a mini market thanks to their mothers. " Kunwar Pratap is here." Dheerbai smiled at the duo as she walked up to them. " Choti ma what are all these?" He asked. " Shagun!"Sajjabai answered excitedly."For Kuwaranisa. She will be blessed with these for the Sagaai. " " What Sagaai ?" "Your engagement , aree , no one told him?" Sajja was surprised. " The four of us are choosing separate gifts of our own choice for your bride, Kunwarsa come and see." Veer Bai urged.   " The sagaai is in three days, followed by the wedding on the seventh, Rajpurohitji had said," Dheerbai spoke up as Pratap stared right at his mother. She seemed happy. " What happened, Kunwar Pratap? Do you have doubts?" Dheerbai smiled sw...

Towards You

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were friends. He didn't feel awkward sharing his plans and thoughts with her anymore. She was more than happy to advise him on everything. She was happy he listened to her advice before taking or discarding them, be it on what to wear to Padmavati's Sagai or how to befriend the revolting Bhils. He loved the way Ajabde always used metaphors from Puranas and Ramayanas to explain the toughest things so easily. She expressed herself so well, so easily that it amazed him.   The Afghans were now led by Mehmood Shah. They have made secret territories in the forests and waited to attack. Rawatji and his spies had confirmed the news and Udai Singh had warned Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. And 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. One of his aides...

A Royal Affair

Jaivanta Bai was pacing her room as Sajja Bai sat confused. She was called in for some urgent meeting and yet the Maharani said nothing. She was lost in her thoughts. " Sajja Behen, you know what happened today between Dheerbai, Ajabde and Heer?" " No... I.... what's wrong Jija?" " I overheard Pratap and Shakti speak about Dheerbai having an altercation with Heer." " Ohh no... Jija..." Sajja Bai was clearly scared. Dheer was not a person to forgive and forget. " I fear she may try to break the relationship. After all, Heer is Bundi Princess. She is my blood and family. " " What should we do Jija?" " I have a plan." Heer's parents followed Jaivanta into Udai Singh's chamber. " Our Rajpurohit ji has said we need to do the sagaai within two days or else it will be stopped for six months and Ranaji we do not want to Wai till the Alwar war." Udai Singh looked confused. " Two days? B...

Eternally Yours

Ajabde 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 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 a worry. Maybe something urgent has come up. She walked to the Puja room and was shocked. Her garlands were made, the Chandan was in place and ...

You Deserve More

Ajabde woke up with the song of birds as she felt something warm clinging to her hand. Her eyes went wide. Her hand was on the pillow in between, between his hands, clasped as he slept. She thought of removing it slowly but he was holding it so tight. Ajabde'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 his bed as he again looked back at the rain. Then he looked back frowning as 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 in th...

Secrets of the Hearts

Kunwar Pratap opened his eyes to catch a glimpse of Ajabde. She was sitting on the chair in front of the dressing table, filling her hairline with the sindoor. She looked freshly bathed and so serene in the light of the dawn, he stared with a smile meandering on his lips. He didn't get up or make her aware of his watchful eyes, but Ajabde seemed to feel it as she blushed slightly before putting on her dupatta and walking into the Puja Room without looking at him, although fully aware that his eyes followed her.   He dressed up as she finished her puja and he was heading out as she frowned. Usually, he waited to take her prasad and tell her the agenda for the day. He stopped at the door, aware of her confusion.   " I am going to Ranima, I will be back to take Prasad and my Dagger. " He smiled back as she nodded, keeping her Thaal as she went to place his dagger, sword and brooch right where he needed them to be. He stepped into Ranima's puja Ghar to find Hansa Bai and ...

Love Struck

A new dawn was about to break in Mewar. Kunwar Pratap shifted in his bed, as the lamp shone in the darkness. He was now facing her sleeping figure. Her hand rested on the pillow between them, the pillow he chose to keep there in the first place but now it seemed like the symbol of the distance he wanted to bridge between their hearts. He stared at it lost in thoughts. I promised myself to make you mine, But how? What if you... He stared at the sleeping figure admitting in silence that no one, even the bravest enemy scared him like her calm composed self did. I am thinking like a typical husband. He smiled. What to do now Ajabde? I am terrible with my words unlike you. Pratap Singh! You need to learn a few things! He looked back at the ceiling in his thoughts. What if I drop hints? She knows me so well, maybe she will understand without me actually speaking for myself. The thoughts made his face light up. Yes, Yes that will be perfect. Let's try this. But... First thing first... so...

In Love??

Ajabde was bedridden over the next few weeks. She was too weak to sit up or do things on her own and the medicine men insisted she needed complete rest to heal. Kunwar Pratap insisted on staying by her side which Ajabde firmly refused. She didn't want to be a distraction from his work. That would break her vow, she said. Kunwar Pratap just smiled knowing she was so adamant and how smartly she convinced people. Ajabde was never bored though! The Queens and Princesses constantly came to check on her and keep her company. All except Dheerbai who only came once, when Ranaji visited her. Ajabde was getting better each day as the Vaid came to check on her and suggested it was time she could start leading a normal life again. Her wound still hurt a little and sometimes she felt dizzy due to the weakness but the Vaid said that too would go in two or three days. Ajabde was a fighter. Jaivanta Bai was proud when the Vaid said that Kunwaranisa had the strongest willpower he had ever seen.   K...

Life and You

" Maharanisa! Maharanisa!" The Daasi 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 Daasi sobbed as Jaivanta Bai rushed to the room. She stood at the door as her eyes couldn't believe what she saw. Kunwar Pratap was soaked in her blood as he laid her down on the bed shouting " Jaldi. Rajvaidya..." His eyes stopped at the door as Jaivanta Bai rushed to be beside the unconscious Ajabde. The Daasis and Sevaks were running about soon enough. SajjaBai gasped at the scene. So much blood. Kunwar Pratap hadn't noticed anything except her calm unconscious face. Now he looked down at his blood-soaked hands, red, he stared at them as though in a trance. " Kunwar Pratap! Tell me what happ...