Unexpected

" This is your room Ranisa." Hansa opened the door to the well-furnished large guest room of the Bijolia Palace. The diyas were lit and the room was neat and clean.

" Your Daasis decorate the rooms well." Jaivanta Bai looked around.

" Oh, Ranisa. all these... " Hansa smiled proudly. " All these are done by my daughter."

" Your daughter?" Jaivanta Bai smiled surprised. "Milwayiye." Jaivanta Bai was eager to meet her.

" Ajabde! Ratan!" Hansa called as the girls came in. 13-year-old Ajabde preferred a simple lehenga in a pink and blue Dupatta clad over her head. She was the first one to calmly bend down and touch Maharani's feet as a five-year-old Ratan came running.

" Ajabde is very talented in sewing, gardening and home decor. She can also...."

" Maa Sa...." Ajabde's soft protest stopped Hansa as Jaivanta Bai smiled.

" Accha, I won't tell but these are your good talents, right? Then?" Ajabde smiled shyly.

 

" Suniye Ajab!" Her mother's call made her stop in the corridor. " Ji ma?"

" Don't wear these types of lehengas at home."

" Ji?" She looked at herself confused.

" I mean, Ranisa is here, dress up a little, and wear some jewellery."

" Maa" Ajabde smiled. " Hum thik hai. You know I can not wear heavy things easily, and if Ranisa likes or hates me it will be for my behaviour, not my clothes."

" Alright," Hansa gave in. " Sometimes I feel you are my mother." They giggled softly.

 

" This food is excellent, Hansa Bai. " Jaivanta complimented.

" Ranaji also said the same." Balwant gushed.

" Ajabde cooks the best in this house." Hansa smiled proudly.

" Maa!!!" She frowned a little.

" Ajabde!" Jaivanta smiled. " Is there anything she can not do?" Everyone laughed as Ajabde left, embarrassed.

 

After dinner Jaivanta Bai decided to look for the open roof at the Ranimahal, to enjoy some fresh air alone, the last few days were full of stress as the war was going on and tonight she was finally relieved. She stepped out into the empty corridors and spotted a room still flickering with the light on the other end of the corridor. She walked towards it eagerly then stopped at the sound of a voice.

 

" And wherever you shall go, I will follow. If you live on fruits so will I, if you starve so will I. But it is my Dharma to share your sorrows And pains." Jaivanta saw Ajabde so lost in the Ramayana reading aloud out loud at that hour. She smiled before going to the roof.

 

Early at Dawn, Jaivanta Bai was looking for the puja Ghar when a soft voice asked from behind her.

" Ranisa, do you need anything?"

" Ajabde! I was looking for the Pujaghar."

" I am going there only." She smiled a little. " Please come with me."

" Why are you awake so early?"

" I always wake early, the first pooja has to be done at the break of Dawn and Maa Sa is too busy with housework at times and too tired so I..."

" You are so understanding, Ajabde. I always wanted a daughter like you."

Jaivanta Bai was smiling at her soft-spoken gentle nature. She seemed very mature for her age. Jaivanta watched how easily this girl remembered all the rituals and mantras by heart.

 

 

Ajabde was sitting in her room doing some embroidery work on her Chunri when Hansa Bai entered with Jaivanta Bai.

" Ranisa wanted to be here."

" Ayiye na." Ajabde quickly got up to remove the clothes and needles to make a place for the ladies.

" It's been a long time since I did some sewing." Jaivanta looked at the work, impressed. "But now that Kunwar Pratap is all grown up, I am thinking of devoting my free time to sewing again."

" Kunwar Pratap's bravery is so famous over Rajputana..." Hansa gushed, " It's your luck that he is your son Ranisa."

Ajabde stopped her needle and stared at her mother who immediately stopped gushing.

" Aur kya bataye aapko Hansa Bai ji. Now there is a new problem that he has grown up with. Ever since we won the war, there has been constant eagerness from different kingdoms for marriages with him. We refused so many now we are really thinking of getting him married soon so that this stops for a while."

" Yes Ranisa, That Princess will indeed be lucky, not only because she would have Kunwarsa as a husband but you as a mother too." Hansa smiled. " We are also thinking of starting to look for a groom for Ajab. Her father knows a few Samants nearby if they have marriageable sons..." Ajabde got up embarrassed and fumbled a small " I need to go." before leaving as fast as she could. She was in the Kanha temple, sitting alone, lost in her thoughts, Maa Sa is talking of my marriage now my Lord, I am so scared. What if... Ratan walked in with a smile.

" I heard." She declared sitting down.

" What?" Ajabde asked.

" That Maasa will marry you off soon." She seemed excited. " Tell me what kind of a husband you want. Tell me Jija."

" Ohho Ratan!" She looked away.

" Tell me, see no one is here, tell me, Jija." Ratan continued to beg.

" Someone who will think of others before thinking of himself, someone who will respect everyone, not looking into their caste and creed but their skills and maturity. Someone who will respect his mother, sister and wife like they are his world. Someone who takes his Karma as his Dharma. He should not fear to die even, for a cause that is worth it." Ajabde stopped realising she had said enough.

" Ohho My Jija is so Naive Kanha ji!" Ratan exclaimed amused. " She wants Ramji as her Husband because I don't think humans are like this," She giggled.

" Ratan!" Ajabde scolded as Ratan hugged her.

" I am going to tell Maa sa."

" Nahi" Ajabde exclaimed as worry swept across her face.

" Ranisa, why are you standing at the door, let's go inside." Hansa came up from behind breaking Jaivanta's chain of thoughts. Ratan turned to see her mother enter with the Maharani.

" Maa Sa you know the kind of...."

" Puja!" Ajabde held Ratan's hand. "It's time, Ratan, come with me." She dragged her away.

Hansa looked at them a little worried.

" Pata Nahi... Ajabde's morals and ideologies are so different, I sometimes feel she is the only person in the world to think like that, how will she match to someone else's ideologies ..." She was thinking aloud as Jaivanta interrupted.

" Her ideologies are very high Hansa Bai, every Rajputani should have that, that's what makes us Veeranganas."

" I guess... it's all my fault, I was the one to force Raoji to teach her sword fighting and archery. One Day I was so mesmerised by the way she said she would prefer dying in Saka than doing a Jauhar someday. She was only nine and..."

" There is nothing wrong in that Hansa Bai then why are you guilty?"

" I'm just worried, Ranisa." She sighed. " My Ajab is very naive yet brave."

" You know something." Jaivanta held her hand reassuringly. " Hearing Ajabde and seeing her I really wish she was my daughter."

" Ranisa, I couldn't be happier. Because you, being Mewar's luckiest mother, are saying this about my daughter."

 

Ajabde was in the corridor when She saw Udai Singh looking for something in his room.

" Ranaji, can I help you?" She asked, her head bowed, pulling her dupatta a little down on her face.

" Yes Umm... Water... you are Ramrakh Ji's daughter right?"

" Ji... Ajabde." She was about to take the empty jug when he protested.

" No, you don't have to... call someone please...."

" Ranaji, it's just water. and I have learnt Athithi Devo Bhava... the pleasure of serving god..."

She left as Rana Udai Singh smiled at the girl's intelligence.

 

" Jija Jija!" Balwant ran to Ajabde with a small sword made of wood in his hand. Jaivanta stopped at the other end of the corridor as she spotted them.

" Look here!" He posed. " Ain't I a brave warrior?"

" Bhai," Ajabde exclaimed with a smile. " What did you do to become one?" Balwant had no answers.

" Kya? What will I have to do to become one?" Ajabde was about to answer when Jaivanta Bai walked up amused.

Ajabde smiled at her as Jaivanta started. " Firstly, a true braveheart doesn't speak for himself, his actions do. People's praises do. And as for what you can do to become one...You need to wake before everyone else, as the first lights of dawn don't touch the ground. Then you have to perform your daily chores and puja, to thank the lord and seek his blessings. Then you have to practise your skills religiously. Never be vain or think you are the best. There is always someone above you. Always respect your friends and your enemies."

" Jija says Lord Rama was like that" Balwant gushed.

" Yes, he was...." Jaivanta realised she also knew someone else who was like that, she was proudly his mother. " So are some other people..."

" Who?" Balwant was eager.

" No more questions, Balwant, please! Let Ranisa rest now." Ajabde dragged him away.

 

The villagers were flocking to the palace gate with their problem. They seemed unhappy over something. Raoji and Ranaji were out on administrative work and it seemed like the villagers badly needed reassurance on something otherwise they would break in. Jaivanta Bai decided to go ahead and speak to them. But before she reached the gates someone else was there, her face covered by the dupatta as she waved her hands to silence the crowd. Jaivanta Bai had least expected such crowd-controlling skills from her.

" Shanth Shanth!" She spoke louder than the shouts to silence them. " Someone, just one of you, tell me the problem."

" No offence Baisa, " The leader came forward. " But I don't think you can..."

" Daata is not here, and being the eldest child since Balwant is not ready, in his absence you are my responsibility. So tell me. If I can't solve it we will wait for Daata." She was clear.

Jaivanta stood carefully hiding from view to watch the scene,

" Baisa since last week, a gang of looters are coming into the village and attacking us, we fear they are Afghans from the camp across the river."

" But we have soldiers at the river bank right?"

" No Baisa, they were out posted there but since they returned from war no one patrols..."

" Rama! Call the commander here at once, he needs to answer this. And I want to know why you people did not come here earlier. They loot you and you let them? All of you are equally responsible for Mewar like its soldiers, Samants and kings. Don't you understand? All of your actions will make Mewar safe." A man walked in as the crowd stared angrily.

" Baisa..."

" Senapati Ji, where are the river bank outposts? There is loot by the Afghans." Her voice was soft and firm this time.

" I will see to it, Baisa," He ran off clearly guilty.

" I promise you all, go home, once Data is here he will look into the matter, There will be no loot in Bijolia henceforth."

" Baisa, we believe this because you are reassuring us." They left to bless her

" How can two people who have never met be so alike?" Jaivanta thought aloud.

" Who?" Udai Singh's voice startled her.

" Noone Ranaji. I am writing to Sajja Behena."

" Writing? You can live without Pratap but not Solankini Bai? You will meet after two days only."

" I need her before two days." Udai Singh walked away confused. He never understood his wife.

 

Sajja Bahena.

I am writing to you because I am in a fix. I know usually you are always confused and I suggest but this time it's different. Because this time it's about someone's life. You know very well how my ideologies differ from Ranaji's. Our fights and clashes over everything really made me believe that Pratap being like me should always have someone who shares his ideology with him. Hence ensuring his private life is at peace. But frankly, I never believed such a girl existed. You are well aware of the wedding proposals coming and I feel it's time too. Now here is the problem.

I am at Samant Rao Ramrakh Ji's place and I met a girl. She is two years younger than Pratap and to my surprise, she is a lot like him. I think they will make a lovely pair. But will my Pratap be bothered if the first wife I choose for him is not a princess? I know that Ranaji will be opposing the match at first but will eventually give in. But I am scared about Pratap now because she will not only be Mewar's first Kuwarani but maybe also the future queen. I feel so much burden of responsibilities on me now that I seek your opinion before asking for her hand.

From Jija.

 

Jija,

I am sure if you like someone she has to be special. As for Kunwar Pratap, all I know is that he will always cherish your choice over anyone else's. I think you should talk to Ranaji.

Sajja.

 

Udai Singh was in his room when Jaivanta Bai came in the next evening.

" We are leaving tomorrow, so make you..."

" Ranaji, I have something to talk about." He looked up at his wife scared. No one knew better how talking about her scared him than he did.

" Umm... can't we talk after we go home?" He was scared of offending her, again.

" No, it needs to be done here." She sat down. " I was thinking of Kunwar Pratap's marriage."

" You said that no girl was suitable for...."

" Tell me something. Raoji saved your life, right? You owe him..." She cut him off

" Yes of course had he not been there..."

" Then we should reward him." She smiled.

" What do you want to reward him for?" He asked.

" I want to take something from him. It will be the best gift ever to repay...."

" Jaivanta Baiji... You want to take something and thank him?" He asked surprised.

" His daughter." She smiled." For my Pratap."

" What?"

" Why not?" She shrugged.

" Because...Because... he is my Samant."

" Who saved you."

" Kunwar Pratap deserves a princess." He reasoned, at least hoped he had.

" He deserves the best person."

" She will be Mewar's future."

" Do you have any doubts about my choice, Ranaji?" He knew this could go on all night and he eventually had to give in. When it came to Kunwar Pratap, Jaivanta's words were always final.

 

" Ajabde's Kundli?" Hansa asked as her heart skipped a beat.

" Haan Hansa Bai. I am going back to Chittor to show it to our Kul Purohit ji and also ask Kunwar Pratap for his decision. Though I assure you my decision is his decision. Ranaji is talking to Raoji about it."

" But Ranisa... Kunwar Pratap for... for... my Ajabde?"

" She is worth that Hansa Bai, trust me." Jaivanta smiled.

 

A pair of payals made a twinkling sound down the parallel corridor and into her room. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She did not know what she had done to deserve such a dream. She feared it was going to break and she would wake up. Kunwar Pratap. The brave and valiant Kunwar Pratap. Her... Her... Husband?? Ajabde sat down on the floor as a smile curved her lips. Truth be told, no girl in Mewar hadn't admired him. He looked a lot like his mother, her father had said. He who didn't fear to face death...

 

" Ranima!" Pratap came running, a little surprised to see all his mothers and sisters flocked to Ranima's room staring at him with weird smiles.

"Kya? Vivah?????" His expression made everyone laugh as Sajja described it " Like Kunwarsa heard this is the last day of the world."

" No. No. NO." He shook his head without listening. But he did hear the important parts... Bijolia... Samant Putri... Ajabde...

 

Pratap was in the Dangalsthal, confused and angry. First, she leaves him alone, and now she is back fixing his marriage to some girl in Bijolia. He didn't even know Raoji well yet and his daughter? He knew his life was always for his motherland, he lived and wanted to die for her. What if the girl didn't understand? What if she became an obstacle to his plans? He was breathing heavily as he sat down on the ground as Shakti came smirking.

" Congratulations Dadabhai."

" Bhai, please leave me alone." His tone made Shakti stop smirking.

" What's wrong?"

" I don't want this marriage, that's it..." He spoke in a hurry.

" But why?" Shakti asked, confused. The last person he saw getting married was Chakrapani rather he heard from the war front and when they saw him in all smiles he thought marriage made the groom happy.

" Because I don't want someone to be unhappy as well as become an obstacle in my..."

" Ohho Dadabhai! Matribhoomi prem is good but this much? You need a life outside war, we all do."

" But she...."

" Let's find out about her then you can decide on the marriage."

" But how?" He looked confused.

" By going to Bijolia ourselves, in disguise."

" Kyaa????" Pratap shouted in shock as Shakti smirked again.

" Be ready by dawn! We are going to gather information on Bhabisa." He left Pratap more confused.

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