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 the season. Sajja Bai shared her palanquin while Bhagwati accompanied Ajabdeh in the other. Bhagwati was going to meet her husband there once the puja was over. They stopped at the temple premises. Ajabdeh wanted to pray for Kunwar Pratap the moment she heard that Mewar could be on the brink of war. They had slowly become friends over the last few months. He told her about his day, and she read books to him. Occasionally, when there were issues near Bijoliya, he would share with her and ask for her advice. She even suggested things like what he should wear to his sister's engagement, things Kunwar Pratap never cared to take care of for himself. Ajabdeh took charge of an occasional Puja or a meal in the palace and slowly became friends with the queens and princesses. Her warm nature and kindness were slowly winning over everyone, and it did not escape Kunwar Pratap that she spent less time in the room and more around the palace with either his father's lesser queens or his sisters. Ajabdeh had not informed him of this sudden plan to visit the temple. She wanted to surprise him with a protective Dhaaga from the temple. Her dark green, golden embroidered lehenga with an orange dupatta that Jaivanta Bai chose for her turned heads as she walked behind Ranima, who was in an elegant maroon lehenga with a yellow dupatta. Onlookers, subjects who barely saw them around, folded their hands and moved away from their path. Strangely, the temple premises seemed a little overcrowded to Ajabdeh. Travellers were all around the place. She narrowed her eyes a little. Is there a special Puja today?
Maharani Jaivanta Bai did not like taking a procession of guards to the temple. She had insisted five armed men would be enough. Temples were no places to display might or power. But she also did not expect the premises to be so crowded with men. They walked together to the altar.
Kunwar Pratap was in the strategy room as his father and the chiefs discussed war strategies. He could feel something was not fine, but all he knew was that the enemies played without any rules. Shams Khan had taught him that. He was a little disturbed at how easily Mehmood Shah had agreed to the war when the odds were clearly against him. This bothered him to the core. He must be planning something. He walked through the corridors of the Ranimahal and then stopped a maid.
" Kunwaraniji..." he started as the maid bowed and stopped him.
" Maharanisa has taken her and Majhli Ranisa to the temple, Baojiraj."
" They have... taken guards??" He asked, a little worried.
" Five men and a Daasi." The woman bowed again and left Kunwar Pratap frowning. Kunwar Pratap stood lost in thought for a brief moment before he called a Sevak, saying, " Get Sarang ready to leave in a few minutes."
"Ajabdeh, I forgot my Lota in the palanquin." Sajja Bai ji looked upset. "Can you get someone to fetch it for me?"
" I am bringing it back, Majhli ma." She smiled reassuringly. Bhagwati wanted to follow her, but she took the maid with her instead. As Ajabdeh stepped out of the temple and into the palanquin for the lota, she heard two men whisper to each other.
" That's her... the queen...we need to be alert, Sardaar needs to be happy with our work."
Ajabdeh's heart skipped a beat, but practical and calm as she was, she kept her nerves. She was walking back in when she spotted some travellers carrying Khanjars and swords. Knowing the Afghans, it was not difficult for Ajabdeh to decipher the situation. They are here for Ranima? Kunwarsa needs to know. How? I need to save Ranima, I... should have brought my khanjar. These many men and five guards... Jaivanta Bai was disappointed at how she was lost in her thoughts as the puja started. Ajabdeh now had to think of something quick. Trying to light the Diya, she pretended to be careless and dropped the water from Jaivanta Bai's lota on the ground.
" Ajabdeh! Where are you lost?" Jaivanta Bai was upset.
" Woh... I think we should all go to the riverbank and get some water..." She suggested, as Jaivanta agreed. They needed the water. Jaivanta Bai was about to walk back to the entrance of the temple when Ajabdeh stopped her. "The route through the backyard is the shortest, Ranima," She convinced. Bhagwati was about to follow the queens out when Ajabdeh dragged her aside.
Kunwar Pratap was on Sarang, making his way to the temple. The temple is beside the forest. It's not safe. And five men are too less if something happens. Hai Eklingji, I hope I am wrong. Keep them safe. His heart was scared. The Afghans could do anything. Mehmood Shah was known for his cruelty as well.
Ajabdeh walked back to the entrance alone as her heart skipped a beat to see none of the five soldiers around. She still kept her nerves and moved to the Palanquin as the Daasi asked, " Kunwarisa, where are..."
" Only I am here." She said aloud as the men around her stared at each other. "Did you not know that the others left already?" Alarmed at her words, the leader signalled.
" Ajabdeh, you have taken enough time to fill up your lota. We are late, let's go back inside." Jaivanta Bai turned to find Ajabdeh absent behind her as Saubhagwati warned her, "Don't go that way, Ranisa. There is danger." Jaivanta Bai stopped, shocked and asked, " Where is Ajabdeh?" She was quiet when Jaivanta Bai repeated angrily. " I am asking you again, where is Ajabdeh?"
" Ranisa, she told me to not let you go that way; she asked us to take the river route back to Chittor." Saubhagwati sobbed in fear. The Daasi came running before Jaivanta Bai could react.
"Everyone on the boat." The queens were pushed onto it by the Daasi and two women she had escaped with. " Where is Ajabdeh? We cannot leave her behind. Tell me what happened." Jaivanta Bai was restless as the Daasi sobbed. "We should leave and return with troops, Maharanisa." Jaivanta Bai's heart skipped a beat as Sajja Bai shrieked in dismay.
As Ajabdeh was about to get into the palanquin, one of the Afghans in disguise caught her hand. She struggled to free herself as she ordered the people to run to safety. The Daasi ran helplessly as she looked back, spotting them dragging Ajabdeh away on a cart that they were hiding from view. The Daasi heard one of the men say, " We didn't get the Maharani, but she must be some royal too; let's not disappoint Sardar and take her." Ajabdeh fought fiercely in vain, armless, with about twenty men surrounding her. They were pushing her into the cart when she managed to shout. " Kunwar Pratap! Kunwar Pratap!" The men laughed, " No one is here, Shehzaadi, we have sedated the soldiers." " Kunwar Pratap!" She called again.
" Kunwaraniji?" His heart skipped a beat, praying that he had heard wrong. " Sarang, faster." He pulled the rein. He was at the temple complex in about the next five minutes, which seemed like an hour, and it was entirely deserted. Except for the empty palanquins, he recognised them well. He rushed inside the temple and out of the back door. He could spot the boat at a distance.
" Ranima!" He shouted.
" Kunwar Pratap! They have Ajab, save her." Jaivanta Bai was helpless and angry as she saw him rush back to the front as the boat floated away towards Chittor.
Ajabdeh's mouth was gagged as soon as she had started shouting his name. From behind the bushes, she watched him move towards the temple. On Sarang, worry swept across his face as her vision blurred. I promise not to let your respect be harmed, Kunwarsa, even if I die for it. She saw him ride away towards the road as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Kunwar Pratap found traces of a struggle beside the Palanquin. He also found the sedated soldiers. He was clueless as to where they took her. They would never take the main road in broad daylight. The forest was very deep and an easy escape without leaving a trace, he thought restlessly as something shining caught his attention. It was her bangle, just beside the palanquin. His fist tightened. They touched her, they forced her! He took Sarang and made his way to the forest. His eyes were on the forest floor, looking for clues, when he found another bangle. She is leaving a trail. His face lit up with hope as he picked it up and moved ahead. Ajabdeh was promptly throwing her bangles at each corner they took in the forest, hiding carefully from the captives. If Ramayana had taught her many good things, one of them was how to leave a trail. Her bangles were done, the rings came off one by one, then she left her payal. That was a mistake. As soon as Payal fell with a sound, it caught the attention of one of her captors. Her hands were gagged soon enough, like her mouth. Besides, even if they didn't, she was still out of jewellery; she wouldn't part with the maangtika Ranima had gifted her.
Kunwar Pratap found the trail up to her Payal, then, for quite a stretch, he walked cluelessly in all directions, getting down from Sarang for a better view. She ran out of jewellery, or did they catch her? He was worried. He looked around for clues in vain. Ajabde was thinking about how to leave a trail. Her eyes fell on the dry straw she was sitting on. The forests didn't have dried straw! She pushed the straw strands with her feet as they moved.
Kunwar Pratap concluded he had lost the trail; now it was up to him to find her before... He stopped before he thought the worst. For the first time, he was doubting his abilities. Scared of being late, he looked for clues frantically. It was dusk, and he gathered he needed to wait for dawn; in no way could he find clues in the dark. He took refuge in a tree, waiting for dawn to arrive.
As soon as Jaivanta Bai reached Mewar, she rushed to Udai Singh. The king lost no time in ordering his spy system to go on alert over the matter and find the Afghans in the forest. He was sure Kunwar Pratap would find them before his trained spies anyhow. Kunwar Shakti was disappointed that his Dadabhai left for the dangerous operation alone. Jaivanta Bai knew that Kunwar Pratap was restless and clueless somewhere in the forest. Chittorgarh's Kumbha Mahal was having a sleepless night.
Ajabdeh was in the cage but ungagged as per their Sardar's order. She had no clue where she was or who these people were. But all she knew was that she heard them talk about Kunwar Pratap. They now knew she was Kunwar Pratap Singh's Begum and were pleased to have her as a captive, even though they couldn't get the mother. She sat down in a corner, refusing to eat what they offered. Where are you, Kunwarsa?
Kunwar Pratap jolted off his doze, somewhere in the forest. Kunwaranisa? Did I just... It's just in my head. Stay put wherever you are, I will find you before it's too late. I promise. Trust me.
Come soon, I trust you more than I trust god right now. She wiped away her tears with her bruised hands.
It was with the first rays of the sun that Kunwar Pratap resumed his journey. By the next two hours of endless aimless search, he came across a small bunch of dried straws on the forest floor. Dried straws? There is no village nearby, where did these... Kunwaranisa? He thought for a moment before his eyes fell on another heap of straw some feet away. Hope shone on his face again as he rushed from one to the next.
Ajabdeh was tired, weak and hungry. Bruises from the gagging were on her wrists, and her clothes were dirty. Two soldiers came to take her, saying, "Our Sardar wants to meet you!" She jolted two steps back as the soldiers came to touch her. " I am going with you," She replied firmly. " Keep your hands off me."
" Wah! Such an attitude. Kunwar Pratap chose his bride well." A man in a black robe with a black pagri with a white feather came as the soldiers saluted, " Aadab Huzoor."
Ajabdeh stood there, her eyes cold, staring without a blink at the man. He scrutinised the girl with hawk eyes.
" Tell me, Shehzaadi, where is your Kunwar Pratap?" he taunted. " Is he scared of me? The great Mehmood Shah?" She was still looking at him without a mark of fear on her face.
" Will he not come to save the precious possession that I stole from him?"
" Pray that he doesn't come soon, Mehmood Shah! If he does, so will your death. And his precious possession you can never steal from him, till his last breath, because it is our motherland, Mewar! He won't give up on Mewar, and neither will I."
" Ghamand!" Mehmood Shah was angry. " Bow your head before me now! You are under my mercy."
Kunwar Pratap was happy that the Afghan tents were visible at a distance. He climbed up a cliff for a better view. Then he jumped down the sides to the back of the biggest tent. He didn't know that it was in front of this very tent that Mehmood Shah was talking to his captive. He was moving stealthily towards the voices, his sword ready.
As soon as Kunwar Pratap jumped down from the cliff, Ajabdeh felt a sense of confidence as she smiled at Mehmood Shah. She knew in her heart he was there somewhere near her.
" Bow down. Or die." Mehmood Shah shouted at her.
" I would like death over bowing to you." She answered firmly.
" As you wish!" His talwar was out of the case, ready to be swayed as Ajabde closed her eyes, and she heard a clank. Another talwar hit him, making Mehmood Shah lose grip of his own. She opened her eyes to see Kunwar Pratap standing between her and the man, his back to her, his sword out. He half turned to look her in the eyes and asked, " Are you all right?"
" Yes." Ajabdeh found her voice as she choked. Ajabdeh wanted to hug him out of her emotions. He had come for her.
" What are you people looking at?" Mehmood Shah screamed. " Get them both! Dead or alive."
" One bruise on her and I will make sure your clans are no more." He was shielding her from the twenty-odd men who ran towards them, swords ready.
He was fighting them as Ajabdeh tried to move out of the way, and a man caught her hand.
" Let go of me!" She shouted. The man was in all smiles, " I have got your weakness here, Kunwar Pratap, drop your sword!" Kunwar Pratap was about to react when Ajabdeh firmly told the man, " I will never let myself be his weakness ever!" She tried to free her hand as she kicked the man. The man did not expect retaliation from her. "My defence lessons were not for nothing." She was quick to pick up some dust and shove it at the man's eyes. Kunwar Pratap slashed two soldiers blocking his way while he ran to where she was struggling with the man. He cut the man's hand as he eyed Ajabdeh struggling to breathe. No one can or ever will be able to put their hands on my respect. You are messing with the wrong person here. Their eyes met briefly as he nodded and turned back to the remaining.
" There are too many. When I signal, you run. Sarang is on that cliff." He whispered, looking at the approaching men.
Ajabdeh promptly picked up a talwar from a dead Afghan's hand. " Two is better than one."
" It's very difficult to get out of these many, alive." He argued, a little irritated with her stubbornness.
" I am bound by my vows to be with you, even in death." Her words made his heart skip a beat as he saw her take position beside him. She knows how to fight? Why didn't she say that before?
They were two against twenty, or a unit against a gang. Kunwar Pratap's skills and Kuwarani Ajabdeh's support seemed like a wonderful pair, as their swords swung against the enemies, back towards one another. Mehmood saw his plan fail as he escaped to safety. Kunwar Pratap was having a dagger fight with the last one as Ajabde threw away the blood-soaked sword, tired and breathless. To her dismay, she spotted an injured soldier about to throw his dagger at Kunwar Pratap from the back. Kunwar Pratap was too busy with the other one to notice this.
" Kunwarsa!" Her words were simultaneous to him, slashing his opponent's throat as he turned around to see Ajabdeh in front of him, taking the dagger on his behalf. The dagger hit her back, and his heart stopped for a second. Kunwar Pratap threw the dagger in his hand at the man whose dagger had hit Ajabdeh before he caught her head from touching the ground as she fell. Her vision blurred, and she could feel him holding her head with one hand and her hand with the other.
" Kun... Ajabdeh! Ajabdeh!!" He called, shaking her head. She was happy he called her name. He could see his hands and her clothes soaking very quickly with blood. She opened her eyes slowly.
" Kun...Pratap!" She managed before her vision blurred completely.
"Answer me. Ajabdeh!! Ajabdeh!!" Her world went dark with the call. So did his.
