RAABTA

Dheer had a sleepless night. Yes, she had killed the Maharani, but to seek revenge for her son. Jagmal was all she had for a dream, and Rana Pratap's first decision was to banish him. He had never been that tough with his other brothers who went with Akbar, then why him? Just because he wanted to be a king? Just because they brought a false letter and bought a few witnesses? Her son died in Ajmer, so young. And she had always blamed Ajabdeh Punwar for Rana's hard decision. After all, ever since she came as a support for Jaivanta Bai, she had been like his shield, even though creating misunderstandings didn't help Dheer Bai Bhatiyani. Ajabdeh had done the impossible, showing him the real face of his Chotima. What bothered Dheer now was if he remembered anything, and most importantly, if she did. Dheer had turned pale at the song and smile Pratap gave, but if he knew she had killed Ajabdeh, it meant Survi remembered her walking to a dying Ajabdeh and confessing that she h...

The wedding preparations were in full swing. Survi's relatives and friends were surprised. A career-minded girl like her marrying this early was not something they expected. Jaivanta explained that it was a proposal too good to refuse. The wedding party was a small one of a hundred and eight people. They were all close friends and some relatives. As they got busy with weddings, they didn't get much time. Survi realised that with each dream, her past was clearer than her present. She was a happy bride. Pratap was tense. He remembered the past and dreaded losing her again. He kept an eye on her, making people feel he was a possessive groom in love. They teased Survi as she blushed. But he didn't mind any tag just to make sure she was safe. The wedding was going to be a low-key affair, or so she thought. She always liked things to be simple, but they always got complicated. Hansa was happy that her practical-minded, career-driven boy had found love in this perfect girl. Sh...

Survi was unconscious, as Pratap carried her to the guest room, worried. He realised in his panic that he had addressed her as Ajabdeh, and nobody heard him because of their worry. Hansa rushed in with the doctor. “ She is running a fever.” Jaivanta looked worried. “ Talk to me. Please. You can’t…” Pratap’s voice stunned Jaivanta. He was the one who had carried the unconscious Survi from the floor back to her guest room. He had been worried sick and trying to shake her awake. Even sprinkling water made her open her eyes once and see him and murmur " Ra...Ra...." and she closed her eyes again. He touched her burning forehead, his hand still holding hers, as a teardrop appeared at the corner of his eyes. Jaivanta had noticed that even when Hansa didn't.  Does he love her for real? The Doctor examined her. “ Seems like some fever she caught in the desert." He looked confused. "She needs complete bed rest.  At least for a week.” “What?” Jaivanta looke...

The car zoomed through the Haldighati Pass. They stared out in silence. Pratap was beside the driver, and Survi sat with her mother in the back seat. The driver pointed towards the cliff, saying. “ Udhar, Pahari ke beech woh gaon hai, jaha haldighati k waqt Ranaji rehte thee, ab khandar hai. Loha Karan naam tha. ” “ We will visit on our way back.” They spoke in unison as they stared at each other. Jaivanta stared at them both and spoke up. “ We need a guide at Haldighati.” She said to the driver. “ Aunty, who needs a guide when you have two history buffs with you?” Pratap smiled. “ Especially Survi knows a lot.” He smiled at her. Survi felt her cheeks go warm and red at his compliment as she smiled. " No, No, I..." " Yes, my daughter is indeed  ..." " Mom..." She stopped her embarrassed. As they walked to the banks of the Banas near Rakht Talai, Pratap felt a sudden heaviness in his head. He looked around and he could hear… cries… Har har ...

It started to rain by the time Hansa prepared breakfast. A storm brewed outside as Survi stood at the window, worried. If it rains like this all day, I can never see the Kalan, and I'm not leaving without answers. “ I have never seen this kind of a storm in Bijolia”, Hansa said, surprised, “It’s raining like it will flood.” Pratap nodded in agreement. "Must be some calamity brewing." There was a knock on the front door as Hansa wondered, “ Who is here in this storm?” Pratap went ahead to open the door as a lady came in, brushing off the rainwater, with a bag in her hand. She looked younger than Hansa, but they had a few similarities, like height and basic features that were clear indicators that they were related. She was more stylish than Hansa for sure. She frowned, displeased at the weather as she held the wet hem of her Anarkali suit. “ Dheer Mausi?” Pratap hugged her as Hansa stared coldly at her sister's sudden, unannounced arrival. Survi stared at the l...

“ Mahek, I am going to Bijolia….” “ Where?” Mahek looked up at the unfamiliarity of the name and asked. “ Bijolia,” Survi replied. “ There are … Jain Temples there.” “ But we are going to Kumbhalgarh tomorrow. Everything is fixed.” Mahek frowned. "Can't it wait for the day after?" “You all carry on, I need this for my research. I will be joining you once I am done,” Survi reassured her. “ Kya Hua Bhaisaab? ” Survi looked perplexed as the car came to a halt in the middle of the highway. “ Mem Saab, tyre puncture ho gayi. ” The driver scratched his head. " Aap side mein jaake wait kare. Main dekhta hoon. " He took out his phone and cursed at the lack of signal. “ Aise highway pe? ” She frowned, unsurely. “ Dusra spare… ” “ Nahi hai Mem saab.” Driver shook his head. “ Oh no shit!” She stepped out of the car. She should have listened to Mahek and not come alone, perhaps. A black vintage car was passing by, and it suddenly stopped before her...

" Ajabdeh!"   "Maharanisa!"   "Maaaaa"   "Daadisa?" The palace echoed with the cries as she lay breathless in his arms. His world had frozen. His Ajabdeh was gone. He had grown into the man he was with her. She was the part of his life he was always thankful for. She made him believe Love and Family existed for good. She was his strength. Rana Pratap sat like a stone, watching her calm face as Mewar cried for its queen. He had failed to give her any happiness, he felt. 500 Years Later... The Fort of Chittor was a special attraction for tourists. The story of its bravery and sacrifice was famous. As a student of history, she had the dream of seeing the place, and today her dream was coming true. She walked into the fort with her friends and classmates. They got busy clicking pictures as she looked for a tour guide. She finally found one and called out to them." Mahek, Purvi, and Disha! Come! He's gonna show us around." She straighte...