Skip to main content

New Dawns

Ajabde 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, Ajabde 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 Ajabde 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 just kept a slight touch of 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. Ajabde 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. Ajabde felt like that was all the love and warmth she needed right now. Jaivanta Bai kissed her forehead saying " I knew you will win his heart someday." That surprised her as she hugged Ranima with all her fear.
 
She was back to 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 Ajabde. That you are my responsibility, let me keep my promise." Did I just say Ajabde? 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 is sending them.
 
" Ajabde, 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." Ajabde smiled at them faintly. Dhanyavaad Kunwar Pratap. 
Jaivanta Bai left the children to explore Ajabde's room in a way keeping 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 Ajabde." Hansa was still not sure she 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 one face he would never forget as his hands slashed through enemies. He heard RawatJi scream " Mehmood Shah has got Raoji." 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, he has got Raoji."
" 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 Ajabde 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 started by now." Ratan knew that her Jija hadn't gotten a wink of sleep since last night. What she didn't know was 104 KMs away in a tent, someone else twisted and turned sleepless, waiting for dawn. Shakti was sure he missed Bhabisa. Kunwar Pratap had revenge in mind.
 
He rode in Sarang away from the war front, towards the place Mehmood Shah had taken Raoji to. In a clearing, their Khema and Raoji were standing, his hands tied on either side with ropes attached to a pole.
" 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!" His voice broke through the clearing as four soldiers attacked him. He slayed them before turning to Mehmood Shah." Don't you dare take her name with your dirty mouth!"
" Ahh, 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.."
" Bas! 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 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 now Padmavati's wedding will have no more obstacles. Ajabde 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.
" Ajabde." 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 frowned sadly.
" 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 Vijay tilak. Kunwar Pratap's eyes searched the crowd as Jaivanta Bai smiled during his aarti. " Ajabde 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.
" Ajabde, he will never trouble anyone ever again, I..." A teardrop trickled down her eyes as she fumbled " H...How are you?" He smiled contently and touched her forehead with his.
" Your prayers are my shield Ajabde, You know better than me how I am." Happy tears trickled down both cheeks as they didn't mind them, smiling at each other, foreheads touched, they felt no need to hide their tears from each other anymore. He noticed she hadn't put on the Sindoor as he smiled, wiping his tears then hers, then took the box from the dressing table.
" Was this waiting for me?"
" Ranima said..." Her words were stopped by his " Hush" as he filled her hairline and a fresh drop of tear 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 content 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." Came a reply 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.
Ajabde 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.
" Ajabde!" His teasing tone made her stare wide-eyed as a Daasi broke the moment arriving at the door as Ajabde jumped back making him frown. Does she forget she is my Wife?
 
" Rana Ji is calling you Baojiraj."
" Chaliye." He left as Ajabde 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 Ajabde." 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 Ajabde 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..." Ajabde 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." Ajabde 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 Ajabde. 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, the other Princes..."
" No Ajabde." 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 Ajabde, 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 Ajabde 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 side, 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 laid with his back to her as well, turning off the lamps, except hers. She could feel him lie, 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 " Ajabde? Are you awake?" Her heart beat faster as she didn't respond, unsure of the awkwardness of the moment. He laid 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 a 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, Ajabde.
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 heart ran in perfect sync with each other and as new dawn arrived in Mewar it came with new promises of Love and Companionship waiting to be fulfilled. Soon.



READ STORY HERE

Comments

  1. One update.. which has separation for the war 2 hearts with worry care n love for each other... then there are responsibilities towards each others families to fulfill... the the war field and its dangerous moves parallels meeting the maternal family but her worries for him remain the same... Revenge taken AND THEN
    The home coming and the sweet milan with some spoken some unspoken words gestures all over the world... care for him n then
    a night - again a little uncertain but definitely two hearts nearer to each other by leaps n bounds but ready to give each other the time needed!!!
    Suranya girl u are something else with this update. I found it more precise n definite then other updates. N then action refuses to die in this update... You will have to scratch ur head again n again to bring them together n the consummation is gonna be one heck of an job!!!!
    N someone give the dasis a definite time to enter their chambers... so that Pratap can make his moves n Ajab can either receive them or shy away or has something else on her mind....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hahaha Kebab mein Haddi Daasis I tell you! Pratap is already thinking his moves ;) and as for Ajabde I think she is not uncertain at least about the feelings anymore. Scratching my head already :P

    ReplyDelete
  3. NO NO NO she definitely is not uncertain abt her feelings but uncertain about accepting like any girl for the first time... rather accepting is not the word but she is uncertain how to respond to them as less would draw him away maybe...
    n more would make him think otherwise...
    but what she doesn't know is the other is equally uncertain on the same thing!!!
    N Beta Pratap thinking your moves n implementing them are two different worlds all together just that they are inevitably interlinked...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ahahah! Totally so, he had learnt that well on the hint plan that failed :P

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tulsipur

When the country was ignited with the fiery spirit of freedom, on one side, Yugantar Dol was attacking the offices of the British government one after another, and on the other, the treasuries or officials were being constantly targeted or gunned down, how could Tulsipur, a small village in a corner of Dinajpur, be left out of it? People were joining Congress or Bengal Volunteers in groups in a bid to contribute to the movement.  Zamindar Trilochan Roy Chowdhury was now fifty-four years old. He remained unmarried throughout his life, being a parent to his three motherless nephews. He managed his great-grandfather's estates, and he was unwilling to sell his pride in the greed of the title of Ray Bahaduri to the British. He had to fight regularly for that.  This was the end of winter. Just as he was about to sip his morning tea, the old servant Bihari came and informed him that an officer of Balurghat Police Station had come to meet him. Zamindar Trilochan Roy Chowdhury sent for anot

The Girl From Kolkata

Soudamini was a student of Scottish Church College. She would be twenty-two years old, but in keeping with the day’s city life and fashion, she was not married yet. She spent her childhood in Tulsipur, in their garden house next to the Roy Chowdhurys' house. Her mother passed away at the time of her birth so perhaps when the Roy Chowdhury's mother suffered the same fate, Soudamini extended the hand of friendship to Somnath who was almost her age. Bhowmik Bari's closeness with Roy Chowdhury increased and on that basis, the fathers agreed on a proposal; when the eldest son Aniruddha came from abroad, she would be his wife. She was fourteen years old then. Soudamini wanted to make herself worthy of Aniruddha. She told her father that education at Balurghat’s English school was not enough to be a Barrister’s wife abroad. They left Tulsipur and came to Kolkata so that her father could enrol her for better education and grooming classes. Since she came to Calcutta, she spoke to A

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

The Zamindar’s Wife

"O Bou , looks like you have invited the daughter-in-law of the Zamindar house too!” Uma Thakuma said in a slightly displeased tone. Sampurna looked up at her mother-in-law, worried. Her age was not more than twenty-two, but she had been married for a long time though nobody kept track of years in villages. After such a long unfruitful marriage, there was a reason for happiness in the family, today was her Sadhpuron .  How could she have not invited the little sister who was her nearest relative in the village, to her baby shower? Even when Bondita was the daughter-in-law of the Zamindar's house, did it erase their blood relationship and grow into merely their class division? Her mother-in-law lowered her voice when she said, “Even if you invite her, she will not come. They are our God, have you ever heard that God comes down to earth to the house of the poor, my child?” However, Uma Thakuma’s tone was different when she saw Bondita, the daughter-in-law of the Zamindars.  &qu

Barrister Babu

Original in Bengali “What is this? How many times have I forbidden you, Devaditya?” Barrister Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, the Choto Malik of Tulsipur said, feeling somewhat awkward as the Khajanchi's son Devaditya’s hand stopped on the briefcase at his stare. Aniruddha was now twenty-eight or twenty-nine, and though he was against the grandeur of the zamindars, his nobility and good nature reflected his pedigree. But like other privileged Bengalis, he did not support the Britishers. He was not hesitant to protest against any wrongs if need be. "I...I mean, you hired me, Malik , so..." Devaditya had to stop at Aniruddha's glare. He knew this look well. He has seen with his own eyes what terrible things could happen when the Choto Zamindar Babu got angry.  “You are my childhood friend Devaditya, you may work here but that doesn't mean you will open my car door when I come home. You are my colleague, my childhood friend, no matter what anyone says, I respect you, don&

Tulsipurer Kotha

তুলসীপুরের কথা দেশ যখন স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রামের আগুনে জলছে, একদিকে চলছে যুগান্তর দলের একের পর এক আক্রমণ ইংরেজ সরকারের দফতরে, কোষাগারে, কিংবা নিশানা হচ্ছেন বড় বড় সরকারী কর্মচারী, দিনাজপুরের এক কোণের ছোট্ট গ্রাম তুলসীপুর তার থেকে বাদ যায় কি করে? স্বদেশী আন্দোলনে দলে দলে ছেলেমেয়েরা যোগ দিচ্ছে কংগ্রেস কিংবা বেঙ্গল ভলেনটিয়ার্সে। জমিদার ত্রিলোচন রায় চৌধুরীর বয়েস এখন পঞ্চাশ ছুঁই ছুঁই। বিয়ে তিনি করেননি। প্রপিতামহের জমিদারি তিনি সামলান। মানুষ করেছেন মাতৃহীন তিন ভ্রাতুসপুত্রদের এবং ইংরেজদের রায় বাহাদুরী খেতাবের লোভে দেশ বেচতে নারাজ তিনি। তার জন্য নিয়মিত ঝক্কি পোয়াতে হয় তাকে। এই যেমন শীতের শেষের দিক এখন। সকালের চাটায় সবে চুমুক দিতে যাবেন এমন সময়ে পুরোনো চাকর বিহারী এসে জানায় বালুরঘাট থানার পুলিশ এসেছে দেখা করতে। আর এক পেয়ালা চা আনতে পাঠিয়ে সোজা হয়ে বসেন জমিদার ত্রিলোচন রায় চৌধুরী। ডাক পরে তার ইংরিজি বলা, সাহেবদের সাথে ওঠাবসা করা ছোট ভাইয়ের।দুই ভাইয়ের এই একটি বিষয় ঘরতর অমিল। বিনয় রায় চৌধুরীর সাথে তার বড় ছেলের চেহারার অনেক মিল, ছেলের চল্লিশে পা পড়লে হয়তো এমনই চেহারা হবে তার।   সাহেব পুলিশ এসে দাড়াল জমিদ

Kolkata'r Meye

  কলকাতার মেয়ে  সৌদামিনী স্কটিশ চার্চ কলেজে পড়া ছাত্রী । তার বয়েস হবে বাইশ, কিন্তু আজকালকার হালফ্যাসনের সাথে মানিয়ে চলতে এখনও বিয়ের কথা হয়ে ওঠেনি তার। তার ছোটবেলা কাটে তুলসীপুরে, রায় চৌধুরীদের বাড়ির পাশে তাদের বাগান বাড়িতে। মা গত হয়েছিলেন তার জন্মের সময় তাই হয়তো রায় চৌধুরী গিন্নির যখন একই পরিণাম ঘটলো, সৌদামিনী বন্ধুত্বের হাত বাড়িয়ে দেয় প্রায়ে সমোবয়েসি সোমনাথের দিকে। রায় চৌধুরীদের সাথে ঘনিষ্ঠতা বারে ভৌমিক বাড়ির আর সেই সূত্রেই পিতারা একমত হন এক প্রস্তাবে, বড় ছেলে অনিরুদ্ধ বিলেত থেকে এলে সেবাড়ির বউ হবে সে। তখন তার বয়েস চোদ্দ। নিজেকে অনিরুদ্ধের যোগ্য করে তুলতে চায় সৌদামিনী। বাবাকে বলে তুলসীপুর থেকে, বালুরঘাটের ইসস্কুলে নাম লিখিয়ে হবেনা তার বিদ্যাচর্চা। তুলসীপুর ছেড়ে তারা চলে আসে কলকাতা। এবং কলকাতা এসে থেকে অনিরুদ্ধের সাথে শুধুমাত্র পত্র সুত্রে কথা হয় তার। সে বোঝেনা হঠাৎ কেন কিছু বছর পর, অনিরুদ্ধ চিঠিতে ভালোবাসার ইঙ্গিত দেয়। কতটাই বা চেনে ওরা একে অপরকে? অনিরুদ্ধ তো আর পাঁচটা গ্রামের ছেলের মতন সহজ সরল না। সে কি করে ভুল বুঝতে পারে ভালোবাসার অনুভূতিকে? নাকি সৌদামিনী বোকা, বোঝেনা কিছু? সৌদামিনী

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rao Ramrakh and Rawatji stopped the ongoing Raj tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhattiyani hadn't expected this son of Mewar to show up that too twenty-one days after his father's death. He was not informed as per Dheerbai's instructions. She looked at Rawat Ji. He must have gone to Raoji at Bijolia. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing Chotima?" A disappointed voice came. She could stoop down so low? " We were about to inform you..." She spoke up in her defence. " When Dheerbai ji?" Maharani Jaivanta Bai, clad in white entered the hall as people bowed before her. " After your son's coronation?" " I did nothing Badima I swear!" A low voice came from Jagmal. " Maha

Tiny Steps

" Akhiyan Hari Darshan Ko Pyasi. Akhiyaan Hari Darshan ko Pyaasi. Dekhio Chahat Komal Nayan Ko, Nisdina rehta udaasi. " Pratap's eyebrows narrowed before he slowly opened his eyes. He seemed to have fallen asleep lost in his thoughts. When; he couldn't tell. Today, for the first time he had missed the first rays of the sun. He sat up as the light of the morning sun fell into the room from the eastern window a little to the left of the bed. " Kesar tilak motin ki Maala, vrindavan ke vaasi." Pratap had heard this song too many times from Ranima. But the voice was not Ranima's. He immediately looked to his left at the empty place separated by the pillows as realisation dawned. He quickly removed the pillows from in between and placed them back before making his way towards the song. " Neh lagaye tyag gayen trin sam dhal gaye gal faasi. "   He stopped to spot the figure at the far end of the room. Her back was to him, she was still in the simple je