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 creating misunderstandings didn't help Dheer Bai Bhattiyani. 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 killed Ajabdeh, it meant Survi remembered her walking to a dying Ajabdeh and confessing that she won. It meant....

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 tensed. 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 simple, but they always got complicated. Hansa was happy that her practical-minded career-driven boy had found love in this perfect girl. She liked Su...

It was for her condition that no one noticed his call. He thanked god for that in secret. She was unconscious, as he carried her to the guest room worried. 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.  He loves 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 looked worried. “ We are leaving ...

They were travelling through the Haldighati Pass. They stared out in silence. He was beside the driver and Survi sat with her mother at the back. The driver pointed towards the cliff saying “ Udhar, Pahari ke beech who gaon hai, jaha haldighati k waqt Ranaji rehte thee, ab khandar hai.” “ We will visit on her 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. As they walked to the fields of Haldighati Pratap felt his head become heavy. He looked around and he could hear… cries… Har har Mahadev! Har har Mahadev! He   started having flashes. Even closin...

By the time for breakfast, it started to rain. 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 am 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. 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 rain waters, with a bag In hand. She looked younger than Hansa but they had a few similarities like height and basic looks. She was more stylish. In an Anarkali, she frowned displeased at the weather. “ Dheer Mausi?” Pratap hugged surprised as Hansa stared coldly. Survi came to the scene and stared at the lady. Something about her made her feel uneasy. The lady stared right at her as if she saw a ghost. “ Who is She?” She asked displeased pointing rudely at an awkward Survi in Hansa’s sare...

“ Mahek, I am going to Bijolia….” “ Where?” She asked. “ Bijolia” She replied. “ There are … Jain Temples there.” “ But we are going to Kumbhalgarh tomorrow. Everything is fixed.” Mahek frowned. “ You all carry on, I will be joining you,” Survi replied. “ Kya Hua Bhaisaab?” “ Mem Saab, tyre puncture ho Gayi.” “ Aise highway pe?” She frowned. “ Dusra…” “ Nahi hai Mem saab.” “ Oh, no shit!” She stepped out of the car.  A black heritage car was passing by, it suddenly stopped before her.  He peeped out. “ Miss Joshi?” “Mr Singh?” She asked surprised. “ Can… I get a lift to the nearest bus stop?” “ Please come.” She stepped in with her backpack looking a little guilty as she murmured “ Thanks.” “ You seem to be in trouble every day.” He looked amused. “ Story of my life!” She shrugged. “ Where are you off to Miss Archeologist?” “ Umm… I took your advice. Was starting with Bijolia when the car broke down.” “ Bijolia? Then you don’t need...

“ 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, most had the dream to see the place and today her dream was coming true.  She walked into the fort, with five 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, Disha! Come! He’s gonna show us around.” She straightened her backpack. “ This ...

The Battle of Haldighati was fought in June 1576. However, Akbar had planned an attack on Mewar in February 1576 when Rana Pratap Singh refused his peace treaty for the third time in four years. He wanted Rana Pratap's defeat in his hands. He was the only one who didn't seem to fear the mighty Mughals. He needed to be taught a lesson.   Rana Pratap was disturbed by the constant visits of Man Singh to Kumbhalgarh in the last two years, that too with Akbar's peace treaty. Chittorgarh had fallen to the Mughal power and Mewar had lost its bravest. He wouldn't forget that till his last breath. There was no way he could bow down to the Mughal. 17 Mewari villages were under Mughal dominance. He needed to free them. But his morals of showing no enmity with any Rajput always made him most hospitable towards Man Singh. He was looking for a way to strike a war.   Man Singh came with a peace treaty in the years 1573 and 1574. It is then that Rana Pratap decided that the fort of Kum...