Kunwar Pratap was in court with Rana Udai Singh. The Mughals were conquering a huge part of the north courtesy of Bairam Khan and Mewar on their routes to the ports of Gujarat.
" Dajiraj we need to secure the roads leading to Agra and also towards the west. The attack-prone areas should always be under surveillance."
" Yes Ranaji. Baojiraj is right." Rawatji agreed.
In the Rani Mahal, everyone was preparing for a grand lunch. Ajabde was making a sweet dish for the princes and princesses and in a hurry, she forgot to add the Kesar and Badam on top. As she served the smaller princes including Kunwar Jagmal, Dheerbai came to inspect her eldest son's food.
" What is this? Who made this? Kokoiaji?" She stormed to the kitchen with a bowl of sweet dishes.
" Kunwaranisa did." Came a scary answer, from Veer Bai.
" Ajabde Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabde walked up to her, keeping aside the vegetables she was cutting.
" Ji Chotima?"
" You come from a background where Kesar Badam and all that is luxury, your mother never taught you any delicacies or anything, and you don't know the ways around the palace. And now you forget to put Kesar and Badam on my Kunwar Jagmal's sweet dish? How dare you?"
" Chotima, I will add them." She hurried to take the bowl that Dheerbai threw on the floor, surprising her as she looked wide-eyed.
" Giving street dirt the place of a crown doesn't make them a crown. They are what their fathers are..."
" Chotima!" Ajabde's voice made everyone gasp louder. No one except Jaivanta Bai dared to mess with the Bhatiyani queen. " Stop insulting my parents on the slightest of issues." She was clear.
" Just how dare you? You will pay for this." Dheer Bai ran out calling " Ranaji! Where are you, Ranaji?"
All eyes were fixed on Ajabde who decided to stop the Bhatiyani queen and ran after her. Veer Bai knew the danger in the name of Rani DheerBai quite well by now and she ran to the only person who could save Ajabde.
" Ranaji! Ranaji!" Dheer Bai barged into the hall as Rawatji, Ranaji and Kunwar Pratap looked up at her visibly disturbed face. Kunwar Pratap could hear her Payal in the hallway approaching as he frowned. In a few seconds, Ajabde appeared behind Dheerbai gasping " Chotima."
" What is it Dheer Bai ji?" Rana Udai Singh asked his favourite wife only after letting Rawat Ji go. Kunwar Pratap could see Ajabde rub her hands together, she was anxious and scared. What did Dheerbai do now?
" Kunwaraniji is new, I ignored her mistakes time and again but today, she dared to raise her voice at me." Dheer Bai was teary-eyed.
" What?" Rana Udai Singh was shocked and so was a silent Kunwar Pratap. How could Ajabde do something that could make Dheerbai blame her?
" I can not bear this insult, Ranaji." Dheerbai continued. " Now either I will stay or she will." Her last words made Ajabde look wide-eyed as Kunwar Pratap lost his cool.
" Kunwaraniji, what did you do?" Both Udai Singh and Dheerbai were shocked at his raised voice as Ajabde looked taken aback.
" I...." Really? Do you think I did something?
" Apologise to Chotima." He said in the same tone. " Apologise right now." I am just trying to save you.
Ajabde tightened her fists and took a deep breath. I am sorry Kunwarsa I won't apologise for something I never did. She chose to look down and remain quiet.
" See Ranaji, see the bride Jija chose for Mewar's future, she doesn't even respect Kunwarsa." Dheer Bai let out a sarcastic chuckle as Udai Singh tried in vain to calm her.
" Dheer Baiji she is new and..." Jaivanta Bai's entrance made everyone stare as she saw Ajabde's eyes fill up. Kunwar Pratap still looked displeased.
" Apologise right now Kunwaranisa." He repeated again.
" I... Can't, Ranima." She spoke gulping, staring at the floor as his eyes widened. " Chotima insulted my parents, my background, not only mine, she insulted all Samants."
" She is elder than you, she can, you will apologise." Kunwar Pratap spoke up, " Now!"
" I don't apologise when I make no mistake." A strong determined thought, from the side of her he always admired. Today he was scared of what it would cost. And angry at how she was misunderstanding him.
" Then leave." His words made her look up into his deep brown eyes as Dheerbai smiled victoriously.
" Kunwar Pratap!" His parents spoke in unison as Ajabde turned and promptly left the room. He regretted saying that the moment she left. Ranima followed her.
" Ajabde! Ajabde stop." Ajabde turned around teary-eyed, facing Ranima.
" Ranima I really didn't...."
" I know, it's all Dheerbai. But sometimes you may need to lose small battles to win bigger ones in life. Right now, she is trying to hurt him by hurting you. You have to be the shield and the sword."
" Ranima...why is she..."
" You will discover every shade of her yourself. Right now, come back with me and make things right."
" Kunwar Pratap goes after her." Udai Singh ordered. As he was about to leave, Ranima came back with Ajabde. She held Ajabde's hands firmly in hers and told Dheerbai ji, " When two utensils are kept together, they are bound to make a noise, when many people stay together there are bound to be misunderstandings. But Rani Bhatiyani, we are elders, they learn from us. And I don't think anyone's family and upbringing should ever become a matter of taunt." She looked at Udai Singh who nodded. " As for Ajabde's apology, you have a big enough heart to overlook one small mistake, don't you?" Dheer Bai nodded seeing Ranaji was not on her side. Kunwar Pratap left the room without even looking up at Ajabde.
Ajabde too was a determined soul. He was at the Dangal, taking out his anger on the figures with his sword. I couldn't speak for her. I couldn't support her, I supported the wrong. But what would she have done in my shoes? How would she have handled things?
He threw his sword and sat on the ground. Should I apologise?
Ajabde was making garlands for her sandhi puja. She was visibly disturbed. He really thought I could insult Chotima without any reason? How could he say leave? He walked in from Dangal hoping to talk. She folded her hands and closed her eyes like she was lost in prayers. He freshened to leave for the court soon. She opened her eyes knowing she was alone, and then she left for the cooking premises.
Kunwar Pratap sat down for a meal. The drama had made him skip lunch and he was starving. He looked around for her in vain as the daasis served. Ranima smiled watching his eyes wander.
" Ajabde made the daal you served Pratap." She declared as his hands stopped at the bowl. A smile appeared as he tasted it. It soon disappeared as he coughed and drank his glass of water. It was unbelievably spicy. Why would she... Realisation dawned as he hid a smile.
" What happened Pratap?" Ranima asked worriedly.
" I just choked, nothing Ranima." He nodded and resumed eating.
He was back late in his room when he saw her, back at the door, reading. Watching him walk across the room keeping his sword and turban she began to read loudly.
" Thus Lord Rama said If you support wrong then you being a silent spectator is equally guilty." He smiled inwardly as he walked up behind her and cleared his throat.
" Umm hmm." She ignored him.
" So if I kill Bali by trick, you and I will be equally guilty, Sugriv, as will all the people who watch the wrong in silence."
" The food was spicy." He spoke up. " It was nice. Especially the daal." She frowned thinking. Really? He liked my Chilli-dipped daal? This can't be. She remained silent.
" Lord Rama is right, in this err... context." He sat down on the couch as she purposely sat in the middle of the bed. She continued reading.
An hour later Ajabde was the only thing that broke the silence of the room as she looked at the couch through the corner of her eyes and saw him lying asleep. Guilt filled her as she shut the book and ran to him. Her hand stopped as she was about to touch his forehead and she drew away. His voice rang in her head. Then leave. She took his blanket from the bed and put it on him. Then she laid on her side, her back to him. Kunwar Pratap's neck was stiff on the uncomfortable couch. He got up to find her in deep sleep and smiled at the blanket. Then he walked to his side and laid down comfortably hatching a plan.
Ajabde woke up to find herself alone in the room. There was no sign of him. She looked around. No, her flowers were not ready either, where was he? She went through her daily chores. Her eyes searched the Dangal from the corridor jharokha and also the gardens. He was nowhere. Did he actually want her to leave? Was he angry at her behaviour? Worry swept across her face. Things were just looking bright for her and had she ruined it with her own hands? A Daasi walked up to her saying " Kunwaranisa, Kunwarsa is looking for you." A smile appeared full of hope as she asked " Where is he?"
" He is in the backyard of the Ranimahal." The backyard? But it's just empty ground, why is he... She walked towards the empty yard. He was standing there, his back to her as her payal made him turn. He looked into her eyes as she looked away.
" You were busy?" He asked softly.
" Yes, packing! For Bijolia." She replied angrily, looking away.
" You know you are not going anywhere." He smiled.
" I don't know anything. Why am I being called here?"
" I need to show you something." She frowned at his words as he clapped his hands and a Sevak appeared with a sword. He took it and dispersed the man.
" Here."
" A sword?"
" My First sword. For you."
" For me?" She asked surprised.
" Yes."
" Why?"
" So that you can protect yourself when even I can't." His words made her look up as his eyes shone. He looked Guilty?
" Kunwar Pratap...."
" No Ajabde, I understand why you are upset, you have the right to be. I couldn't..."
" Kunwar Pratap." She stopped him as eyes met. " You protect Mewar, I am just a small part of that."
" No Ajabde, you are...." He stopped at a loss for words. Sometimes silence spoke more than words ever could. It did so now also. As she blushed he held her hand and gave her his sword.
" It's time, Kunwaraniji, to show your skills to me."
" I ... No... I am out of practice and I..."
" You have a week and no more excuses." She nodded.
" Kunwaranisa." A daasi interrupted. " Saubhagwati Baisa is here with..."
" Parvati?!" Ajabde smiled a gleeful smile making him stare at her as she ran in. She stopped at the doorway and turned back once as he nodded smiling. He had no idea that fights between a husband and wife were so quickly forgotten unlike with others. Until now.
" He gave you his sword?" Saubhagyawati was admiring it as Ajabde played with Parvati.
" Accha hai, when you will have a baby ...."
" Bhago!" Ajabde stopped her blushing.
" What? It's been almost a year and Mewar awaits its first heir from Kunwar Pratap!" Bhago chuckled as Ajabde blushed.
" I think I should tell Ranaji that it's time we looked for a princess for Kunwar Pratap. The alliance will be good too especially with the Mughals surrounding and capturing places." Dheer Bai smiled at Kokoiaji cutting her betel nuts.
" But Ranisa... won't they wait for an heir from Kunwaranisa?"
" Huh! That girl, I don't think she can give Mewar an heir at all. Kunwar Pratap doesn't even like her I think." She spoke her mind.
" Ajabde." his voice made her turn as he walked into the room in the evening.
" Kunwar Pratap, you need something?" She was concerned about his untimely arrival. He smiled.
" I can't come into my room if I don't need something?"
" No, No, that is not... " She looked embarrassed as he pushed back her locks forcing her to stare at him. She lowered her eyes as she rested her head on his chest. He held her close, as silence spoke their unsaid words. She had all the security and protection she needed in his arms, and he felt at peace in hers. He kissed her forehead and left her blushing, waiting for the night to unfold.
" Dajiraj we need to secure the roads leading to Agra and also towards the west. The attack-prone areas should always be under surveillance."
" Yes Ranaji. Baojiraj is right." Rawatji agreed.
In the Rani Mahal, everyone was preparing for a grand lunch. Ajabde was making a sweet dish for the princes and princesses and in a hurry, she forgot to add the Kesar and Badam on top. As she served the smaller princes including Kunwar Jagmal, Dheerbai came to inspect her eldest son's food.
" What is this? Who made this? Kokoiaji?" She stormed to the kitchen with a bowl of sweet dishes.
" Kunwaranisa did." Came a scary answer, from Veer Bai.
" Ajabde Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabde walked up to her, keeping aside the vegetables she was cutting.
" Ji Chotima?"
" You come from a background where Kesar Badam and all that is luxury, your mother never taught you any delicacies or anything, and you don't know the ways around the palace. And now you forget to put Kesar and Badam on my Kunwar Jagmal's sweet dish? How dare you?"
" Chotima, I will add them." She hurried to take the bowl that Dheerbai threw on the floor, surprising her as she looked wide-eyed.
" Giving street dirt the place of a crown doesn't make them a crown. They are what their fathers are..."
" Chotima!" Ajabde's voice made everyone gasp louder. No one except Jaivanta Bai dared to mess with the Bhatiyani queen. " Stop insulting my parents on the slightest of issues." She was clear.
" Just how dare you? You will pay for this." Dheer Bai ran out calling " Ranaji! Where are you, Ranaji?"
All eyes were fixed on Ajabde who decided to stop the Bhatiyani queen and ran after her. Veer Bai knew the danger in the name of Rani DheerBai quite well by now and she ran to the only person who could save Ajabde.
" Ranaji! Ranaji!" Dheer Bai barged into the hall as Rawatji, Ranaji and Kunwar Pratap looked up at her visibly disturbed face. Kunwar Pratap could hear her Payal in the hallway approaching as he frowned. In a few seconds, Ajabde appeared behind Dheerbai gasping " Chotima."
" What is it Dheer Bai ji?" Rana Udai Singh asked his favourite wife only after letting Rawat Ji go. Kunwar Pratap could see Ajabde rub her hands together, she was anxious and scared. What did Dheerbai do now?
" Kunwaraniji is new, I ignored her mistakes time and again but today, she dared to raise her voice at me." Dheer Bai was teary-eyed.
" What?" Rana Udai Singh was shocked and so was a silent Kunwar Pratap. How could Ajabde do something that could make Dheerbai blame her?
" I can not bear this insult, Ranaji." Dheerbai continued. " Now either I will stay or she will." Her last words made Ajabde look wide-eyed as Kunwar Pratap lost his cool.
" Kunwaraniji, what did you do?" Both Udai Singh and Dheerbai were shocked at his raised voice as Ajabde looked taken aback.
" I...." Really? Do you think I did something?
" Apologise to Chotima." He said in the same tone. " Apologise right now." I am just trying to save you.
Ajabde tightened her fists and took a deep breath. I am sorry Kunwarsa I won't apologise for something I never did. She chose to look down and remain quiet.
" See Ranaji, see the bride Jija chose for Mewar's future, she doesn't even respect Kunwarsa." Dheer Bai let out a sarcastic chuckle as Udai Singh tried in vain to calm her.
" Dheer Baiji she is new and..." Jaivanta Bai's entrance made everyone stare as she saw Ajabde's eyes fill up. Kunwar Pratap still looked displeased.
" Apologise right now Kunwaranisa." He repeated again.
" I... Can't, Ranima." She spoke gulping, staring at the floor as his eyes widened. " Chotima insulted my parents, my background, not only mine, she insulted all Samants."
" She is elder than you, she can, you will apologise." Kunwar Pratap spoke up, " Now!"
" I don't apologise when I make no mistake." A strong determined thought, from the side of her he always admired. Today he was scared of what it would cost. And angry at how she was misunderstanding him.
" Then leave." His words made her look up into his deep brown eyes as Dheerbai smiled victoriously.
" Kunwar Pratap!" His parents spoke in unison as Ajabde turned and promptly left the room. He regretted saying that the moment she left. Ranima followed her.
" Ajabde! Ajabde stop." Ajabde turned around teary-eyed, facing Ranima.
" Ranima I really didn't...."
" I know, it's all Dheerbai. But sometimes you may need to lose small battles to win bigger ones in life. Right now, she is trying to hurt him by hurting you. You have to be the shield and the sword."
" Ranima...why is she..."
" You will discover every shade of her yourself. Right now, come back with me and make things right."
" Kunwar Pratap goes after her." Udai Singh ordered. As he was about to leave, Ranima came back with Ajabde. She held Ajabde's hands firmly in hers and told Dheerbai ji, " When two utensils are kept together, they are bound to make a noise, when many people stay together there are bound to be misunderstandings. But Rani Bhatiyani, we are elders, they learn from us. And I don't think anyone's family and upbringing should ever become a matter of taunt." She looked at Udai Singh who nodded. " As for Ajabde's apology, you have a big enough heart to overlook one small mistake, don't you?" Dheer Bai nodded seeing Ranaji was not on her side. Kunwar Pratap left the room without even looking up at Ajabde.
Ajabde too was a determined soul. He was at the Dangal, taking out his anger on the figures with his sword. I couldn't speak for her. I couldn't support her, I supported the wrong. But what would she have done in my shoes? How would she have handled things?
He threw his sword and sat on the ground. Should I apologise?
Ajabde was making garlands for her sandhi puja. She was visibly disturbed. He really thought I could insult Chotima without any reason? How could he say leave? He walked in from Dangal hoping to talk. She folded her hands and closed her eyes like she was lost in prayers. He freshened to leave for the court soon. She opened her eyes knowing she was alone, and then she left for the cooking premises.
Kunwar Pratap sat down for a meal. The drama had made him skip lunch and he was starving. He looked around for her in vain as the daasis served. Ranima smiled watching his eyes wander.
" Ajabde made the daal you served Pratap." She declared as his hands stopped at the bowl. A smile appeared as he tasted it. It soon disappeared as he coughed and drank his glass of water. It was unbelievably spicy. Why would she... Realisation dawned as he hid a smile.
" What happened Pratap?" Ranima asked worriedly.
" I just choked, nothing Ranima." He nodded and resumed eating.
He was back late in his room when he saw her, back at the door, reading. Watching him walk across the room keeping his sword and turban she began to read loudly.
" Thus Lord Rama said If you support wrong then you being a silent spectator is equally guilty." He smiled inwardly as he walked up behind her and cleared his throat.
" Umm hmm." She ignored him.
" So if I kill Bali by trick, you and I will be equally guilty, Sugriv, as will all the people who watch the wrong in silence."
" The food was spicy." He spoke up. " It was nice. Especially the daal." She frowned thinking. Really? He liked my Chilli-dipped daal? This can't be. She remained silent.
" Lord Rama is right, in this err... context." He sat down on the couch as she purposely sat in the middle of the bed. She continued reading.
An hour later Ajabde was the only thing that broke the silence of the room as she looked at the couch through the corner of her eyes and saw him lying asleep. Guilt filled her as she shut the book and ran to him. Her hand stopped as she was about to touch his forehead and she drew away. His voice rang in her head. Then leave. She took his blanket from the bed and put it on him. Then she laid on her side, her back to him. Kunwar Pratap's neck was stiff on the uncomfortable couch. He got up to find her in deep sleep and smiled at the blanket. Then he walked to his side and laid down comfortably hatching a plan.
Ajabde woke up to find herself alone in the room. There was no sign of him. She looked around. No, her flowers were not ready either, where was he? She went through her daily chores. Her eyes searched the Dangal from the corridor jharokha and also the gardens. He was nowhere. Did he actually want her to leave? Was he angry at her behaviour? Worry swept across her face. Things were just looking bright for her and had she ruined it with her own hands? A Daasi walked up to her saying " Kunwaranisa, Kunwarsa is looking for you." A smile appeared full of hope as she asked " Where is he?"
" He is in the backyard of the Ranimahal." The backyard? But it's just empty ground, why is he... She walked towards the empty yard. He was standing there, his back to her as her payal made him turn. He looked into her eyes as she looked away.
" You were busy?" He asked softly.
" Yes, packing! For Bijolia." She replied angrily, looking away.
" You know you are not going anywhere." He smiled.
" I don't know anything. Why am I being called here?"
" I need to show you something." She frowned at his words as he clapped his hands and a Sevak appeared with a sword. He took it and dispersed the man.
" Here."
" A sword?"
" My First sword. For you."
" For me?" She asked surprised.
" Yes."
" Why?"
" So that you can protect yourself when even I can't." His words made her look up as his eyes shone. He looked Guilty?
" Kunwar Pratap...."
" No Ajabde, I understand why you are upset, you have the right to be. I couldn't..."
" Kunwar Pratap." She stopped him as eyes met. " You protect Mewar, I am just a small part of that."
" No Ajabde, you are...." He stopped at a loss for words. Sometimes silence spoke more than words ever could. It did so now also. As she blushed he held her hand and gave her his sword.
" It's time, Kunwaraniji, to show your skills to me."
" I ... No... I am out of practice and I..."
" You have a week and no more excuses." She nodded.
" Kunwaranisa." A daasi interrupted. " Saubhagwati Baisa is here with..."
" Parvati?!" Ajabde smiled a gleeful smile making him stare at her as she ran in. She stopped at the doorway and turned back once as he nodded smiling. He had no idea that fights between a husband and wife were so quickly forgotten unlike with others. Until now.
" He gave you his sword?" Saubhagyawati was admiring it as Ajabde played with Parvati.
" Accha hai, when you will have a baby ...."
" Bhago!" Ajabde stopped her blushing.
" What? It's been almost a year and Mewar awaits its first heir from Kunwar Pratap!" Bhago chuckled as Ajabde blushed.
" I think I should tell Ranaji that it's time we looked for a princess for Kunwar Pratap. The alliance will be good too especially with the Mughals surrounding and capturing places." Dheer Bai smiled at Kokoiaji cutting her betel nuts.
" But Ranisa... won't they wait for an heir from Kunwaranisa?"
" Huh! That girl, I don't think she can give Mewar an heir at all. Kunwar Pratap doesn't even like her I think." She spoke her mind.
" Ajabde." his voice made her turn as he walked into the room in the evening.
" Kunwar Pratap, you need something?" She was concerned about his untimely arrival. He smiled.
" I can't come into my room if I don't need something?"
" No, No, that is not... " She looked embarrassed as he pushed back her locks forcing her to stare at him. She lowered her eyes as she rested her head on his chest. He held her close, as silence spoke their unsaid words. She had all the security and protection she needed in his arms, and he felt at peace in hers. He kissed her forehead and left her blushing, waiting for the night to unfold.
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