Ajabdeh entered Jaivanta Bai's puja ghar to push through the crowd and reach the front. Standing beside Ranima, she prayed. Eyes closed. Hands folded. Please protect Kunwarsa, Kanha Ji. I won't ask for Bijolia's protection because I know that once he is safe, so will Bijolia. She calmed her racing heart and her worries to stand by Padmavati. With her impending wedding, she was the most vulnerable now, Ajabdeh thought. Rana ji walked in for the Aarti from Ranima as Kunwar Pratap and Kunwar Shakti followed. His eyes searched the crowd of hidden faces and found hers. How? She couldn't tell. But she felt good that he could find her.
He stared at her, his eyes full of worry as she nodded with a reassuring smile he could make out, beneath the semi-transparent veil. He knew she was just trying to reassure him when she needed the same. He looked away as fear crept in. Kunwar Pratap Singh was never in turmoil going to war; he had always looked forward to it, facing his enemies, and slaying them. But today, this girl, her love, her care, and her dreams were all his strength as well as fear. He had to protect her home like he had promised.
As Jaivanta Bai did the aarti, she turned to Ajabdeh to do the same. She stepped forward in front of a room full of people, and only two hearts knew each other's thoughts as the thaal went around three times. She bent down to touch his feet as she closed her eyes to control the teardrops. He didn't protest this time. He brushed his palm, almost like a pat on her head, as she got up and moved away. No words were exchanged, but Jaivanta Bai could read her son's face like an open book. She was pleased with what his face reflected.
He was walking out to Sarang when, just before getting up on the horse, like a reflex, as though he knew, his eyes travelled to the jharokha above the gates of the Ranimahal. She smiled, knowing he knew she would be there. He smiled back faintly as she whispered, " Jai Eklingji."
" Jai Mewar." He whispered back before he rode away. Ajabdeh was quick to wipe away her tears as soon as she heard footsteps in the corridor. Jaivanta Bai walked up to her and patted her head, opening her arms for a hug. Ajabdeh felt like that was all the love and warmth she needed right now. Jaivanta Bai kissed her forehead, saying, " I knew you would win his heart someday." That surprised her as she hugged Ranima with all her heart.
She was back at her Puja Ghar to pray for his safe return. Kunwar Pratap reached the Bijolia Palace after the Khemas were set, and the war was to start at dawn. Hansa Bai welcomed him with worry written all across her face.
" Padhare."
" No, I am here to take you."
" Take me?" She asked, surprised. " Where?"
" Take you, Ratan Baisa and Balwant. A carriage is here to take you to Chittor."
" Kya?" She asked, surprised. " How can I get there?"
" Why can't you, Maasa? This place is not safe, and the Afghans are... very dangerous." They don't spare women and children.
" I can not leave my home, Kunwarsa, that is... against my Dharma. And I can't stay at my daughter's house. You are here, Raoji is here."
" There will be no one here to guard you. You want us to worry about you in the field?"
" But..."
" I promised Ajabdeh. That you are my responsibility, let me keep my promise." Did I just say Ajabdeh? He looked awkward as Hansa stared wide-eyed, as every time he met, he had addressed her as Kunwaraniji. She nodded in agreement at last, much to his happiness.
" Here, take them to Chittor safely." He instructed the main guard. " And give this to Ranima." He handed a letter letting her know the plans and why he was sending them.
Ajabdeh prayed every day and waited for news from the front eagerly. As soon as a messenger would come, she waited to be summoned in the grand hall of the Ranimahal, where the news was read out. She watched noblewomen lamenting and mourning the deaths of their fathers, husbands and sons; her heart dropped every time a young bride would face her inevitable fate. It scared her a little, as she prayed harder that day.
" Ajabdeh, look who is here." Jaivanta Bai's voice made her turn as Ratan ran to hug her.
" Jija."
" Ratan! Balwant." She smiled, surprised. " How...."
" Kunwarsa told us to stay here with you until the war is over, Jija." Ratan was too happy.
" Yes, and he kept saying until Maasa agreed." Ajabdeh smiled at them faintly. Dhanyavaad Kunwar Pratap.
Jaivanta Bai left the children to explore Ajabdeh's room in a way that kept her occupied and out of her thoughts as she led Hansa Bai to another room.
" I am so glad ever since I met Kunwarsa today. I think they are... becoming friends." Hansa smiled.
" If you ask me, I have never seen Pratap leave with fear in his eyes for war until now. This fear, I never complain about." Jaivanta Bai smiled back.
" He called her Ajabdeh." Hansa was still not sure she had heard right.
" And ever since they are back from a short trip, she is calling him Kunwar Pratap." Jaivanta smiled. They are in love. The hearts of two mothers concluded.
He was moving through the army, on Sarang, his eyes searching for one face he would never forget as his hands slashed through enemies. He heard RawatJi scream, " Mehmood Shah." He turned to see that his father hadn't heard that. He called Shakti.
" Listen to me very carefully, I am going after Mehmood Shah."
" But Dadabhai, let me go with..."
"No! Daajiraj shouldn't know. I have some unsolved business." His jaws tightened as he remembered the horror he went through for that man, the pain his Ajabdeh faced.
" But... Dadabhai, how can you be alone?"
" Stay alert with a small group nearby. I will signal you until then. Stay put." Shakti nodded.
" Jija, this room is so large." Ratan twirled around, finding Ajab absent-minded. " What is it, Jija?"
" The war... Ratan, it's reached a zenith by now." Ratan knew that her Jija hadn't slept well over the past few days. What she didn't know was that a hundred kilometres away in a tent, someone else twisted and turned sleeplessly every night, waiting for dawn. Shakti was sure he had missed Bhabisa. Kunwar Pratap had revenge in mind.
He rode in Sarang away from the war front, towards the place where Mehmood Shah was fighting Raoji's men. He could see Mahmood's men surround and capture Raoji, his hands tied on either side with ropes and dragged behind a horse.
" You disappoint me, Rao RamRakh!" Mehmood Shah stood in front of the visibly angry and struggling prey. " Your daughter was braver!" Kunwar Pratap's first tightened as he got ready to attack.
" What was the name... Ahh! Ajab...."
" Mehmood Shah!" Four soldiers attacked him. He slayed them before turning to Mehmood Shah." Don't you dare take her name with your dirty mouth!"
" Ah, Kunwar Pratap." The man smiled faintly as his small troop of twenty-eight stood behind him. " Seems like you already love your wife a lot, what will happen to her once you are dead! Maybe I can.."
" How dare....?" He attacked the man, and his troop soon caught him in a whirlpool. He whistled. Shakti was waiting for the signal. As Mewar's forty men arrived at the scene, Kunwar Pratap smiled.
" Don't underestimate your enemy. Shams Khan taught me that! Now fight like a man. Last time you ran." Mehmood Shah was no match for him. Soon, he lay, his hand and foot cut by Kunwar Pratap's sword.
" Never again, never ever again try to harm a woman's honour or respect, Mehmood Shah."
" The war is won!" was the news that rang through the Ranimahal. The queens were happily preparing for the arrival of the warriors. The princesses were happy that Padmavati's wedding would have no more obstacles. Ajabdeh thanked her Lord and visited the Meera Temple. She knew how much Kunwar Pratap was attached to the temple emotionally. She thanked the Lord for keeping him safe.
" Ajabdeh." She stopped on her way back as Ranima called. " It's our tradition to do shringaar before the husbands come back. I will send the Daasis; they will help you." She nodded happily. Hansa Bai came to seek permission to leave, as Ratan was sad.
" No, Hansa Bai Ji. Our eldest Princess is getting married, and you are staying till her marriage." Jaivanta Bai ordered. " That's my order." She smiled at the children.
The Daasis helped Ajabde dress up in her favourite lehenga and all the eight signs of a married woman, the maangtika, earrings, rings, bangles, Kamar bandh, payal, bindi and alta. She looked like a new bride again, Padma gushed as her happiness reflected on her face.
The King and the Princes were welcomed with a shower of flower petals. Jaivanta Bai stood to welcome them with a smiling face and a Vijay Tilak. Kunwar Pratap's eyes searched the crowd as Jaivanta Bai smiled during his aarti. " Ajabdeh is waiting for you." She said what he wanted to hear.
His presence was felt as her heart raced in front of Kanha Ji. She closed her eyes with a faint smile, eyes twinkling with happy tears she held back. She turned around to face him as he smiled. He was still in his warrior attire, tired, wounded and happy. They stepped towards each other, as eyes twinkled, and he held both her hands in his bruised ones.
" Ajabdeh, he will never trouble anyone ever again, I..." A teardrop trickled down her face as she fumbled, " H...How are you?" He smiled contentedly and touched her forehead with his.
" Your prayers are my shield, Ajabdeh. You know better than I do how I am." Happy tears trickled down both cheeks as they didn't mind them, smiling at each other, foreheads touching, they felt no need to hide their tears from each other anymore. He noticed the Sindoor as he smiled, wiping his tears, then hers, and took the box from the dressing table.
" Ranima said..." Her words were stopped by his " Hush" as he filled her hairline, and a fresh drop of tears arrived in her eyes as he touched her forehead again. This time, their noses brushed against each other as she blushed. She moved three steps back as he stared, confused and delighted at the way she blushed.
" I will bring your balms." She said, " Daasi. Lep..." She walked away, wiping her tears as he shook his head with a contented smile.
When she arrived back, he was in a sleeveless kurta that clearly showed his wounds and made her worry. She put the bowl down and started making the bandages out of the white clothes while he cleaned the wounds with warm water.
" Tell me about the war."
" What do you want to know?" He asked, pleased.
" Everything." A reply came without looking away from her work.
Hansa Bai and Jaivanta Bai were walking down the corridor when a soft giggle stopped them.
" And.. then... Bhai Shakti was very confused about which way his home... I showed him Bundi's way...and he believed it!" He smiled, amused as she giggled softly.
" Why did you show him the wrong way?" She complained, still between her giggles. The mothers stared at the scene, carefully hiding from view. They smiled before walking away.
Ajabdeh laughed so hard at his expressions that she had tears in her eyes. Her laugh made him smile. He had never seen her laugh so freely. He held her hand as she stopped laughing.
" Th...The Bandage..." She fumbled, turning red.
" You know I have wounds in my abdomen and back too, I think I should remove my..." He teased as her eyes went wide.
" I... I... Have ... Ummm ... work... Ranima... The Sevak will help you." She fumbled as he controlled his laughter.
" Ajabdeh!" His teasing tone made her stare wide-eyed as a Daasi broke the moment, arriving at the door, as Ajabdeh jumped back, making him frown. Does she forget she is my wife?
" Rana Ji is calling you Baojiraj."
" Chaliye." He left as Ajabdeh put down the bandages and walked out towards her mother's room. She was a little taken aback to find Ranima there as well.
" Come, Ajabdeh." Her mother called. " We are making Bandages." She sat down to help them as Jaivanta Bai spoke.
" Waise, Kunwar Pratap always ran to me after wars for his bandaging. Wonder what happened to him today." She looked at Ajabdeh, who looked away, blushing profusely.
" He must be coming, Ranisa." Hansa seemed to say reassuringly.
" No, Hansa Bai, not if he found someone to do his Bandages already."
" I... I.... need to..." Ajabdeh walked out as the two smiled at each other.
He was back after lunch when she was reading.
" Reading?" He asked as she nodded. He sat down beside her, looking at the pages. She began loudly.
" Ravana's navel was his weak point. Once his head is cut, he grows another; you must hit him on his navel to kill him, Vivishana said." Ajabdeh stopped. " It's so wrong when brothers go against brothers."
" It happens with power; the thirst for power makes you go blind." He explained.
" But then there is Bharat, they are not siblings but his love for Ram..."
" Not all people are the same, Ajabdeh. Some people love their Brothers like Ram Laxman and Bharat."
" Like you and Kunwar Shakti." She made him smile.
" And then there are brothers who are jealous of the success and fame." He explained. I have heard and seen.
" Kunwar Pratap, do you think the other Princes..."
" No, Ajabdeh." He cut her off. " You are thinking wrong, every one of us actually craves Daajiraj's appreciation, that's it, it's not for a throne or power." He wished he could believe that.
" Kunwar Shakti will always be your Laxman." She reassured him.
" I know he will always be there, Ajabdeh, like you..." He smiled. My wife and my queen, like Lord Rama, said to Mata Sita.
" And Ranima." She added. He nodded.
That night, after dinner, Ajabdeh was in her room, making the bed as the pillow made her heart skip a beat. Should I place this or... She kept it in between and removed it, then held it and stared at it, worried. She was not sure what he would like. So, being the intelligent self that she was, she placed the pillow at his feet, over his blanket. Then, hearing him come, she lay acting asleep, her back to his side. He had expected her to wait for him; he would have told her some of the discussions of the Darbar and about the upcoming wedding for which Ranaji had called. He frowned a little, then stopped spotting the pillow at his side. Why is this... The realisation hit him as he stared at her sleeping figure and then back at the pillow. He picked it up. I don't want to hurry things, but by placing this, it will look like... I don't want... He was utterly confused. Then he placed the pillow at his feet and lay with his back to her as well, turning off the lamps, except hers. She could feel him lying there, as she shifted a little to his side, without turning to feel if the pillow was there or not. Her payal made him turn as he jumped up, asking, " Ajabdeh? Are you awake?" Her heart beat faster as she didn't respond, unsure of the awkwardness of the moment. He lay back, sure she was in deep sleep, as he shook his head.
Today I didn't get the chance to complete what I wanted to tell you, but I surely will tomorrow before the wedding preparations start. Tonight, I am happy I bridged the gap between our hearts. He thought.
He is back home safe, and he actually cares. Her eyes swelled up with tears. I fear this happiness; everything seems so perfect. I just want to stay like this forever.
I will give you all the happiness you deserve, Ajabdeh.
I am not sure what I did to deserve you, Kunwar Pratap. I surely am the luckiest in Rajputana, like they said at the wedding.
Two bodies lay, facing opposite each other, while their mind and hearts ran in perfect sync with each other, and as the new dawn arrived in Mewar, it came with new promises of Love and Companionship waiting to be fulfilled. Soon.
