Early at dawn, Ajabdeh was helping Sajja Bai pack Padmavati's belongings. As she put some of the princess's best clothes in a trunk, she heard a soft sob. Ajabdeh looked at the bride's mother, wiping away a tear in silence. She had never seen Rani Sajja Bai in tears. Always full of life, this queen had a heart of gold.
" Majhli Maasa," Ajabdeh called softly before holding her cold hands. " She will be fine." She smiled reassuringly.
" You know Padmavati, Kuwaranisa. She is always so childish and immature, like me. I had Jija when I came here; I never had any responsibilities. But she will be his first wife."
" Majhli Maasa, don't worry, she will learn everything. I know she will." Ajabdeh's words made Sajja smile amidst her tears.
" I always thought that when my daughter would be gone, there would be no one to understand me." She cupped Ajabdeh's face, smiling. " I was wrong."
" You are giving away one daughter, Majhli Maasa, but you are going to have another with you, always." Ajabdeh's eyes shone as Sajja hugged her.
" You, Kunwaranisa, are a reflection of Jija." She smiled.
Kunwar Pratap was walking down the corridor when he heard Majhli Ma's sob and grew alarmed. When he was about to enter the room to console her, he stopped at the doorway at the sight and smiled. He slowly walked behind the drapes, hearing them talk.
" I have something for you. " Sajja Bai wiped away her tears and walked up to the cupboard. She took out an orange and golden lehenga and walked back to a confused Ajabdeh. " I kept this for my Bindni, but today I would love to give it to my daughter instead. Take it."
" But.... Majhli maa... this is for Devarsa's..." She protested feebly.
" I am sure she will get a lot more when she comes. You take this as a blessing from me."
" Majhli Maasa, your blessing is enough for me."
" Take it or I will be very upset." She took the gift as Sajja smiled at her. Kunwar Pratap walked away with a smile.
How easily do you mix with people and reach out to them and touch their hearts, Ajabdeh? How?
Kunwar Pratap was looking after the arrangements when he saw his Mamisa talk to Ranima.
" You have a very talented Bindni now, she knows so much and the way she handles everything at such a tender age."
" Yes, Ajab is..."
" Badi Ranima." Padmavati interrupted. " Why do people do the Ganapati sthapana?"
" Saubhagyavati." Jaivanta Bai called, hiding a smile. " Tell her what she is asking."
" Ji Ranisa. Ayiye Rajkumari ji." Bhago dragged the bride aside and explained how this puja was important before the two souls became one. Known for his sharp skill of hearing, Kunwar Pratap heard what he had to as Bhago told Padmavati the secrets of a husband and wife. Kunwar Pratap was in a fix. He remembered at his wedding when they did the Puja, Sajja Bai wanted to explain, but Ranima had stopped her. He had promised himself to give her all the rights she deserved, but then .... What if she doesn't want to rush things? What if she thinks...
Chakrapani was looking after the Puja Samgri as Kunwar Pratap walked there, unsure.
" Err... Ummm... Chakrapani." He turned to see his friend's face.
" Must be the wife." He smiled as Kunwar Pratap looked up.
" How do you..."
" Experience Baojiraj." He flaunted. " Tell me."
" How do you... umm... know if your wife wants... to be pleased or not?"
" Wives! Always want to be pleased. Gifts and wives go hand in hand."
" Gifts?" He frowned. Again?
" Yes, Baojiraj. If you want to please her, start with a gift." Chakrapani went on, clueless, as Pratap was not sure of his friend's advice.
The wedding was a grand affair as the guests started to arrive, and Ajabdeh, like always, took care of the bride and her younger sisters before she could manage time for herself. She had carefully kept his things where he always wanted them, along with the attire Ranima chose for him. As Kunwar Pratap dressed, helped by the sevaks, he smiled at his plan. He knew his wife well. She must be busy mending someone's broken jewellery or fixing people's hair somewhere. He dispersed the men and laid down his gift and walked away with a smile.
Ajabdeh entered her room to dress in a hurry; she didn't have much time now as the bride would be called to the Mandap soon. Her eyes fell on the red velvet wrapping cloth on the bed. On it was a note.
" Ajabdeh, Hum aapke Shivar ko aise hi Rango se bhar dena chahte hai, jaise aapne humare jeevan mein Bhare hai. Agar aap inn rango ko srikaarti hai toh humare bhet se apna shringaar kijiyega. " Her heart skipped a beat as she picked up the peacock green lehenga that lay with the note. She was about to wear it when her eyes spotted the one Sajja Bai had given her in the morning with so much love. She couldn't break her mother's heart.
" Vadhu ko le ayiye." Kunwar Pratap spotted the groom trying to eye his bride as she came in and hid a smile. He remembered he was actually very reluctant when Ajabde had come to their wedding. He smiled at the thought as his eyes travelled to the crowd of ladies with the bride. His heart was leaping with the hope that she liked the gift. Ajabde appeared right behind the bride, but in Sajja's gift. Kunwar Pratap's smile faded as his face looked a little pale. Behind her dupatta, her eyes travelled to his, as he looked away, clearly displeased. Ajabde knew what he thought. Once the wedding is over, I will make sure you get your gift too. She smiled shyly. As her eyes travelled to him, reliving every ritual of the wedding in her memories, he always chose to look away.
Soon, it was time for the bride to leave. Sajja hugged her daughter and cried until Maharani Jaivanta Bai intervened. Padmavati hugged a teary-eyed Ajabde as she whispered, " Dhanyavad for everything, Bhabisa." She hugged her brothers, and even Kunwar Shakti was in tears watching her go. As the procession left the palace, everyone stood staring at the sight in silence. Wiping away their tears. Kunwar Pratap broke the silence.
" Ranima, I am going on some administrative work with Rawatji." He stopped with a determined tone, adding, " I will be late." Ajabdeh stared up at his face as he looked away and walked towards the court.
" We also need to leave Ranisa," Hansa added as Ratan and Balwant hugged their sister.
Ajabdeh was sad. But she took care of Rani Sajja Bai and made sure she took her meals on time too. She returned to her room and sat wondering. I offended him, and he looked angry. But... A smile curved her lips as she called the maids.
Ajabdeh was sitting on the floor of her room, making a Rangoli with her own hands at the entrance. Jaivanta Bai stopped in her tracks as she watched her, humming a happy tune as she did the rangoli. Jaivanta Bai smiled and walked up to her. Taken aback and embarrassed, Ajabdeh tried to brush the colours off her hands and cheeks as she fumbled, " R...Ranima.... woh...." She was looking for an excuse as Jaivanta smiled, saying, " Be there for the evening prayers ", and left. She stopped a daasi in the corridor.
" Where are you taking these flowers?"
" Maharanisa, Kunwaranisa wanted them."
Decorative flowers... Jaivanta Bai smiled. " Take some gajra for her hair too. And don't tell anyone what you told me." She walked to the pakshala and ordered the maid, " Go tell Kunwar Pratap, after the food is ready, that his dinner will be served in his room."
Kunwar Pratap was in the map room, looking at some important roads. The Daasi came to the door.
" Baojiraj."
" Ji?" He looked up.
" Maharanisa told you to be there by dinner time."
" All right, tell her I will reach the dining hall."
" Not the hall, she said dinner will be served in your room."
" My Room?" He narrowed his eyes. " All right."
Kunwar Pratap was in no mood to talk to Ajabdeh about anything. She rejected his gift, his token of love. How could she? Majhli Ma didn't tell her to wear that lehenga that day. Then why? He was clearly sulking as he stopped at the door of his room, a step away from the beautiful Rangoli. His eyes widened at the beautiful display of colours on the floor, then travelled to the room. She had decorated it with beautiful Jasmine sticks in the vases, and garlands of marigolds hung from the drapes. Lamps shone across the room. He noticed Ranima's Jhula in a corner of his room. He could hear her voice in the Puja Ghar. Almost in a flash, his anger vanished as he stepped into the room.
A Sevak came with the dinner as he quickly said a " Hush" before the man could speak, lest he disturb her reading. He indicated the food to be laid down on the table and dispersed the sevaks. Then, removing his Nagra and Pagri, he stepped into the Puja Ghar, hoping not to disturb her clear voice.
" They sat on the throne as King and Queen united after a long exile. The people, however, saw them as a God and Goddess who had returned happiness to Ayodhya."
She stopped feeling his presence. He knew she stopped for him as a smile curved his face. Nowadays, little details didn't pass unnoticed by him, whether it was that she was wearing his gift, along with her wedding jewellery and gajra or the fact that her face spoke of a known nervousness. Her eyes didn't meet his, even when she closed her book and got up to face him.
" The dinner is here." He broke the silence as she nodded and walked to the table. He followed in silence.
" The jhula..." He pointed, asking, hoping to make her speak.
" Ranima said you like it and it should be here rather than in her room." She spoke as she served, not looking up at him. His stares made her nervous as Kunwar Pratap couldn't help but notice how pretty she looked like a newlywed. Did she look this pretty on our wedding night? He wondered. " I told her not to give it, but she insisted." She spoke as he nodded. After a quiet dinner, Kunwar Pratap told her what the work had led to.
" I need to go to Bhilwara tomorrow at noon. I will be back in a day or two after a meeting with the Bhils." He spoke as he ate.
" I..." She was about to speak when he stared at her, making her stop.
" You can't. The Bhils have some grievances with some local chiefs, and Bhils are not as easy as villagers; it's not safe. You stay here with Ranima."
" Are you going alone?" There was fear in her voice as he smiled reassuringly.
" It's not a war, Ajabdeh, it's a talk, and I will take a few men, just in case." They ate in silence, lost in thought. She of her insecurities, he of what's in store at Bhilwara, unsure of when he would come back.
" When will you be back?" She asked as the Daasis took the plates away. He shut the door behind him and walked up to her, holding both her hands in his. Then he made her sit on the jhula beside him.
" Listen to me, Ajabdeh. If you do go, then we need more security. God forbid that if anything goes wrong, no one has ever managed to defeat them in the forest. I can't risk that. And the more I worry about you, it will affect my work. You..."
" I understand." She smiled. " Besides, with Padmavati not here, I have to look after Majhli Maa Sa too, she is upset. But she was glad I wore her gift to the wedding." The last part, she said, looking away as he smiled. " I am sure she was. You, after all, can think of everyone's happiness before yourself." She looked up at his eyes, shining with pride as she blushed.
" I have something for you." He walked up to where he kept his dagger and sword and came back with something hidden behind him. She peeped in vain as he smiled, " Close your eyes."
She closed her eyes, clueless, as he sat beside her, taking her hand and smiling as he slid a few red glass bangles into her hand. She opened her eyes to find him close, as her heart skipped a beat, staring at his twinkling eyes. He slid in the remaining and proceeded to the other hand, his eyes not leaving hers as she turned redder than the bangles. As he finished, his hand travelled to hold her shoulders as she hugged, hiding her face in his chest, finding solace in his arms. As they parted, he first removed her dupatta and then her jewellery one by one. Eyes twinkled and met as he picked her up in his arms.
That night, under the stars, Kunwar Pratap and Kunwarani Ajabde Baisa finally became man and wife.
" You complete me, Ajabdeh. Like no one ever can or ever will."
He whispered in her ear as a lone happy tear trickled down her cheek. He kissed it away and drank in her beauty, as she accepted his love and gave in to the desires that overtook the night.
" Majhli Maasa," Ajabdeh called softly before holding her cold hands. " She will be fine." She smiled reassuringly.
" You know Padmavati, Kuwaranisa. She is always so childish and immature, like me. I had Jija when I came here; I never had any responsibilities. But she will be his first wife."
" Majhli Maasa, don't worry, she will learn everything. I know she will." Ajabdeh's words made Sajja smile amidst her tears.
" I always thought that when my daughter would be gone, there would be no one to understand me." She cupped Ajabdeh's face, smiling. " I was wrong."
" You are giving away one daughter, Majhli Maasa, but you are going to have another with you, always." Ajabdeh's eyes shone as Sajja hugged her.
" You, Kunwaranisa, are a reflection of Jija." She smiled.
Kunwar Pratap was walking down the corridor when he heard Majhli Ma's sob and grew alarmed. When he was about to enter the room to console her, he stopped at the doorway at the sight and smiled. He slowly walked behind the drapes, hearing them talk.
" I have something for you. " Sajja Bai wiped away her tears and walked up to the cupboard. She took out an orange and golden lehenga and walked back to a confused Ajabdeh. " I kept this for my Bindni, but today I would love to give it to my daughter instead. Take it."
" But.... Majhli maa... this is for Devarsa's..." She protested feebly.
" I am sure she will get a lot more when she comes. You take this as a blessing from me."
" Majhli Maasa, your blessing is enough for me."
" Take it or I will be very upset." She took the gift as Sajja smiled at her. Kunwar Pratap walked away with a smile.
How easily do you mix with people and reach out to them and touch their hearts, Ajabdeh? How?
Kunwar Pratap was looking after the arrangements when he saw his Mamisa talk to Ranima.
" You have a very talented Bindni now, she knows so much and the way she handles everything at such a tender age."
" Yes, Ajab is..."
" Badi Ranima." Padmavati interrupted. " Why do people do the Ganapati sthapana?"
" Saubhagyavati." Jaivanta Bai called, hiding a smile. " Tell her what she is asking."
" Ji Ranisa. Ayiye Rajkumari ji." Bhago dragged the bride aside and explained how this puja was important before the two souls became one. Known for his sharp skill of hearing, Kunwar Pratap heard what he had to as Bhago told Padmavati the secrets of a husband and wife. Kunwar Pratap was in a fix. He remembered at his wedding when they did the Puja, Sajja Bai wanted to explain, but Ranima had stopped her. He had promised himself to give her all the rights she deserved, but then .... What if she doesn't want to rush things? What if she thinks...
Chakrapani was looking after the Puja Samgri as Kunwar Pratap walked there, unsure.
" Err... Ummm... Chakrapani." He turned to see his friend's face.
" Must be the wife." He smiled as Kunwar Pratap looked up.
" How do you..."
" Experience Baojiraj." He flaunted. " Tell me."
" How do you... umm... know if your wife wants... to be pleased or not?"
" Wives! Always want to be pleased. Gifts and wives go hand in hand."
" Gifts?" He frowned. Again?
" Yes, Baojiraj. If you want to please her, start with a gift." Chakrapani went on, clueless, as Pratap was not sure of his friend's advice.
The wedding was a grand affair as the guests started to arrive, and Ajabdeh, like always, took care of the bride and her younger sisters before she could manage time for herself. She had carefully kept his things where he always wanted them, along with the attire Ranima chose for him. As Kunwar Pratap dressed, helped by the sevaks, he smiled at his plan. He knew his wife well. She must be busy mending someone's broken jewellery or fixing people's hair somewhere. He dispersed the men and laid down his gift and walked away with a smile.
Ajabdeh entered her room to dress in a hurry; she didn't have much time now as the bride would be called to the Mandap soon. Her eyes fell on the red velvet wrapping cloth on the bed. On it was a note.
" Ajabdeh, Hum aapke Shivar ko aise hi Rango se bhar dena chahte hai, jaise aapne humare jeevan mein Bhare hai. Agar aap inn rango ko srikaarti hai toh humare bhet se apna shringaar kijiyega. " Her heart skipped a beat as she picked up the peacock green lehenga that lay with the note. She was about to wear it when her eyes spotted the one Sajja Bai had given her in the morning with so much love. She couldn't break her mother's heart.
" Vadhu ko le ayiye." Kunwar Pratap spotted the groom trying to eye his bride as she came in and hid a smile. He remembered he was actually very reluctant when Ajabde had come to their wedding. He smiled at the thought as his eyes travelled to the crowd of ladies with the bride. His heart was leaping with the hope that she liked the gift. Ajabde appeared right behind the bride, but in Sajja's gift. Kunwar Pratap's smile faded as his face looked a little pale. Behind her dupatta, her eyes travelled to his, as he looked away, clearly displeased. Ajabde knew what he thought. Once the wedding is over, I will make sure you get your gift too. She smiled shyly. As her eyes travelled to him, reliving every ritual of the wedding in her memories, he always chose to look away.
Soon, it was time for the bride to leave. Sajja hugged her daughter and cried until Maharani Jaivanta Bai intervened. Padmavati hugged a teary-eyed Ajabde as she whispered, " Dhanyavad for everything, Bhabisa." She hugged her brothers, and even Kunwar Shakti was in tears watching her go. As the procession left the palace, everyone stood staring at the sight in silence. Wiping away their tears. Kunwar Pratap broke the silence.
" Ranima, I am going on some administrative work with Rawatji." He stopped with a determined tone, adding, " I will be late." Ajabdeh stared up at his face as he looked away and walked towards the court.
" We also need to leave Ranisa," Hansa added as Ratan and Balwant hugged their sister.
Ajabdeh was sad. But she took care of Rani Sajja Bai and made sure she took her meals on time too. She returned to her room and sat wondering. I offended him, and he looked angry. But... A smile curved her lips as she called the maids.
Ajabdeh was sitting on the floor of her room, making a Rangoli with her own hands at the entrance. Jaivanta Bai stopped in her tracks as she watched her, humming a happy tune as she did the rangoli. Jaivanta Bai smiled and walked up to her. Taken aback and embarrassed, Ajabdeh tried to brush the colours off her hands and cheeks as she fumbled, " R...Ranima.... woh...." She was looking for an excuse as Jaivanta smiled, saying, " Be there for the evening prayers ", and left. She stopped a daasi in the corridor.
" Where are you taking these flowers?"
" Maharanisa, Kunwaranisa wanted them."
Decorative flowers... Jaivanta Bai smiled. " Take some gajra for her hair too. And don't tell anyone what you told me." She walked to the pakshala and ordered the maid, " Go tell Kunwar Pratap, after the food is ready, that his dinner will be served in his room."
Kunwar Pratap was in the map room, looking at some important roads. The Daasi came to the door.
" Baojiraj."
" Ji?" He looked up.
" Maharanisa told you to be there by dinner time."
" All right, tell her I will reach the dining hall."
" Not the hall, she said dinner will be served in your room."
" My Room?" He narrowed his eyes. " All right."
Kunwar Pratap was in no mood to talk to Ajabdeh about anything. She rejected his gift, his token of love. How could she? Majhli Ma didn't tell her to wear that lehenga that day. Then why? He was clearly sulking as he stopped at the door of his room, a step away from the beautiful Rangoli. His eyes widened at the beautiful display of colours on the floor, then travelled to the room. She had decorated it with beautiful Jasmine sticks in the vases, and garlands of marigolds hung from the drapes. Lamps shone across the room. He noticed Ranima's Jhula in a corner of his room. He could hear her voice in the Puja Ghar. Almost in a flash, his anger vanished as he stepped into the room.
A Sevak came with the dinner as he quickly said a " Hush" before the man could speak, lest he disturb her reading. He indicated the food to be laid down on the table and dispersed the sevaks. Then, removing his Nagra and Pagri, he stepped into the Puja Ghar, hoping not to disturb her clear voice.
" They sat on the throne as King and Queen united after a long exile. The people, however, saw them as a God and Goddess who had returned happiness to Ayodhya."
She stopped feeling his presence. He knew she stopped for him as a smile curved his face. Nowadays, little details didn't pass unnoticed by him, whether it was that she was wearing his gift, along with her wedding jewellery and gajra or the fact that her face spoke of a known nervousness. Her eyes didn't meet his, even when she closed her book and got up to face him.
" The dinner is here." He broke the silence as she nodded and walked to the table. He followed in silence.
" The jhula..." He pointed, asking, hoping to make her speak.
" Ranima said you like it and it should be here rather than in her room." She spoke as she served, not looking up at him. His stares made her nervous as Kunwar Pratap couldn't help but notice how pretty she looked like a newlywed. Did she look this pretty on our wedding night? He wondered. " I told her not to give it, but she insisted." She spoke as he nodded. After a quiet dinner, Kunwar Pratap told her what the work had led to.
" I need to go to Bhilwara tomorrow at noon. I will be back in a day or two after a meeting with the Bhils." He spoke as he ate.
" I..." She was about to speak when he stared at her, making her stop.
" You can't. The Bhils have some grievances with some local chiefs, and Bhils are not as easy as villagers; it's not safe. You stay here with Ranima."
" Are you going alone?" There was fear in her voice as he smiled reassuringly.
" It's not a war, Ajabdeh, it's a talk, and I will take a few men, just in case." They ate in silence, lost in thought. She of her insecurities, he of what's in store at Bhilwara, unsure of when he would come back.
" When will you be back?" She asked as the Daasis took the plates away. He shut the door behind him and walked up to her, holding both her hands in his. Then he made her sit on the jhula beside him.
" Listen to me, Ajabdeh. If you do go, then we need more security. God forbid that if anything goes wrong, no one has ever managed to defeat them in the forest. I can't risk that. And the more I worry about you, it will affect my work. You..."
" I understand." She smiled. " Besides, with Padmavati not here, I have to look after Majhli Maa Sa too, she is upset. But she was glad I wore her gift to the wedding." The last part, she said, looking away as he smiled. " I am sure she was. You, after all, can think of everyone's happiness before yourself." She looked up at his eyes, shining with pride as she blushed.
" I have something for you." He walked up to where he kept his dagger and sword and came back with something hidden behind him. She peeped in vain as he smiled, " Close your eyes."
She closed her eyes, clueless, as he sat beside her, taking her hand and smiling as he slid a few red glass bangles into her hand. She opened her eyes to find him close, as her heart skipped a beat, staring at his twinkling eyes. He slid in the remaining and proceeded to the other hand, his eyes not leaving hers as she turned redder than the bangles. As he finished, his hand travelled to hold her shoulders as she hugged, hiding her face in his chest, finding solace in his arms. As they parted, he first removed her dupatta and then her jewellery one by one. Eyes twinkled and met as he picked her up in his arms.
That night, under the stars, Kunwar Pratap and Kunwarani Ajabde Baisa finally became man and wife.
" You complete me, Ajabdeh. Like no one ever can or ever will."
He whispered in her ear as a lone happy tear trickled down her cheek. He kissed it away and drank in her beauty, as she accepted his love and gave in to the desires that overtook the night.
