Cold war

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. She liked Survi the minute she saw her. There was a kind of attachment she couldn't describe. However, Hansa refused to believe they met in Chavand the way they said. He had never brought a girl home, and when he did, he was marrying her. That couldn't be a coincidence. They must have met in the past.

Survi had noticed Dheer in secret calls and sneaking out many times. But the rituals kept her busy as she couldn’t talk to Pratap. She saw Dheer sneak out of the Mehendi ceremony. As her hands were drying, she excused herself and walked straight into Dheer’s empty room. She decided to be safe and brought a pocket knife she carried for her study, hidden in her dupatta. She was looking for the red file and found it under a pile of clothes in the wardrobe. Her eyes widened.

She heard footsteps as she quickly shut the wardrobe noiselessly. Someone was behind her. She turned, and like a warrior, her knife was at his neck.

“ Ajab… It’s me!” Pratap looked alarmed.

“ Survi! You will land us in trouble!” She frowned.

“ Miss Survi, today, in this attire, you are looking like my Ajabdeh.” He took away the knife and said, “ One Minute.”

He walked to her back, took the flowing Dupatta of the lehenga from her back and put it on her head.

“ There. My Ajabdeh.” He smiled. She smiled back as her eyes twinkled. Their story was one of a kind, never to be told.

“ Look what I found.” She showed him the files as he smiled, adding, “ Time for a showdown!”

" Waise..." he added, "What's with the knife?"

" I... took it for protection," she smiled.

" I am your protection." He smiled. "Keep your Rajputani bravery in check now, Delhite!"

“ We are going to the wedding location before the Sangeet,” Pratap said to an excited crowd.

“ But where is it?” Hansa asked as he took his bride’s hand and added, “Surprise!”

Survi gasped at the sight. The Bijolia Kalan was decorated with drapes of red and gold. Marigolds decorated the mandap. The sight was exactly as it was years ago. A teardrop appeared in her eyes as he wiped it away.

“ No more tears. It’s time to make others cry.” He took her hand in his.

Hansa smiled at Jaivanta. The history buffs had chosen the perfect location.

Dheer stepped out of the car, expecting nothing out of the ordinary and was preoccupied with her sudden dreams. Rather nightmares. As soon as she saw the venue, her eyes were fixed on the couple up there, and a memory became vivid. The Nightmares became a reality of the past. Survi noticed her turn pale, and so did Pratap.

“ I am not well, we need to go.” She called at Hansa as Pratap hid a victorious smile. She did remember that they were not alone.

On the way back, Survi insisted on stopping at the temple. Hansa and Jaivanta gathered that the duo wanted to take blessings before the wedding and left them alone. She walked up to the Shiva linga and folded her hands.

“ I don’t know why you sent us those memories and made us meet, but we do know we have had unfulfilled dreams in the past. Let me live this one like a dream, Har Har Mahadev!” She was loud and clear, as he added. “Give us the strength to defeat the evil.”

She took the Aarti thaal and did his tilak as they smiled at each other. Time seemed to have travelled back in the time machine of their love.

“ What is Pratap going to perform?” Dheer asked at the Sangeet, rather impatiently.

“ Mausiji, He said he has something special, let's wait and watch.” Survi smiled, pressing Dheer’s cold hands as she looked uneasy.

The lights went off, and the focus was on Pratap as Hansa smiled, “ There he is.” Haunting music appeared.

Begani si Begani hai, Tanhai si Tanhai hai, aur ek hum hai pyar ke bin... He smiled at the crowd.

Sunne walo Suno Aisa Bhi Hota Hai… Koi Jitna Haseen utna hi Rota hai….

Dheer looked wide-eyed, Survi searched her face for the expression, as Hansa and others looked clueless. Pratap was in… Royal attire? And a pagri. He remembered, did he? Dheer looked at him and back at a clapping Survi.

Pyaar aisa jo karta hai, kya marke bhi marta hai? Ao tum bhi aaj Sunlo. Pratap sang as Dheer started sweating. Survi smiled at him.

“ He is singing the wrong lyrics.” She shrugged coolly at a stunned Dheer.

Daastaan hai yeh ke uss Massoom haseena ne jise kiya viswas woh thi Andar se harjaayi….

“Wow, he’s made a song,” Survi added. “ But why?” She looked amused at Dheer.

Sang dil se dil lagake, bewafaa ke haat aake ussne ekdin maut hi payi….

Dheer stared at a smiling Survi before staring back at Pratap. What was he...

Ek sitam ka fasaana hai, jisko sabhi…. Dheer got up to leave the room. He blocked her way.

Kyun koi Kaatil samajhta nahi, yeh jurm woh hai jo chupta nahi… yeh daag who hai jo mitta nahi… Rehta hai khooni ke haat par….

He took Survi’s hand and twirled her as Dheer stood.

Khun uss hasseena ka Jab tha hua…Koi waha tha pohoch to Gaya

Lekin usse woh Bacha na saka, Roya tha pyaar uski maut par…

He looked at Survi, who sang along, smiling a reassuring smile at him. Roya thaa pyaar uske maat paar…

Dastaan hai yeh ke jo pehchaan ta hai khooni ko woh Naujawaan hai lautke aya…. Dheer wiped her forehead.

Keh Rahi hai Zindagi, kaatil samajh le Usske sarr pe cha chuka hai maut ka saya…

Janmo ki karmo ki hai kahani jisse…

He stopped as Dheer walked away. Survi looked at the speechless, confused crowd as she added.

“ Wow, Pratap, what a performance!” Jerking him back to reality as he smiled at her.

Does he know? No, he doesn’t! He won’t believe in some stupid dream more than I do. That was just a song. But why that song? Maybe I am overthinking. I'll escape the night of the wedding itself. Dheer made up her mind.

That night, Survi lay sleepless as she heard footsteps making her heart skip a beat. She was about to shout when the lights of the room were lit, and she heard Pratap ask, “ What are you doing here, Dheer Mausi?” Survi jolted up in bed as Dheer stood where she was right at her feet.

“ I…came to check on the bride.” Dheer smiled at Survi as she exchanged a quick glance with Pratap.

“ Now that’s done, Mausi. Goodnight.” Pratap prompted her to walk away as he added to Survi

“ Lock the door. We have a wedding at dawn”.

One Night

Happy Valentine's Day, readers! Hope you put your self-love and your love for reading right at the top when you celebrate today! The night was eerie; the veil of stars shone in the clear sky, occasional clouds travelling with the wind, playing hide-and-seek with the crescent moon. The leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, and somewhere in the forestland, the call of an animal broke the silence. Owls hooted somewhere, and in the darkness, one could see across the arid land, beyond the water of a lake, a fort wall was lit by the torches of the guards who were awake and alert. The sandstone castle in the middle of the small township was asleep. The corridors of the Mardana Mahal, where noblemen and princes were stationed, were heavily guarded tonight. The prince of Mewar was travelling through this small town, on one of his many campaigns. The square-shaped palace had an inner courtyard for the ladies. Opposite the Mardana Mahal was the Andar Mahal, where the women resided. They shar...

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabdeh looked visibly displeased at the ladies who ran around. " They are at the fort gates, and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red lehenga and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maasa Maasa... who is coming with Daajiraj?" His innocent question made her heart sink. " Bhanwar Ji." Sajja Bai called out to him. " Come here, I will tell you." Amar rushed to his Majhli Dadisa. " Ajabdeh." She turned at Jaivanta Bai's call. "They are here." " M... My Aarti thali..." Ajabde looked lost like never before. Jaivanta Bai held her stone-cold hands, making her stop. She patted her head and gave her a hug. The hug gave her the comfort she was looking for as her racing heart calmed down. Jaivanta Bai left her alone with her thaal. " Maa sa!" A...

Begum Sahib: Forbidden Love

2nd June 1634, Burhanpur. " My heart is an endowment of my beloved, the devotee and lover of his sacred shrine, a soul that enchants mine." The Raja of Bundi had arrived at Burhanpur after a win in the war of Paranda. He had met the crown prince Dara and was honoured with a sword and elephant before he came to pay his respect to the Padishah Begum as per the norms of the court. Jahanara was writing in her room. Her maid came with the news, “Begum Sahib, the Raja of Bundi has arrived at court; he is at the Bagh to pay you his respect.” “Tell him to sit in the courtyard of my bagh, I will be there.” She had risen from her place, covered her face in the veil of her dupatta and walked to the place where he waited. “ Begum Sahib," he had acknowledged her presence with a salutation. She returned the bow with a nod. She was sitting inside the arch while he was on the other side of the Purdah, the sun shining over his head as he took his seat on the velvet carpet th...

Rebel Love

“I can’t believe this.” Kunwar Shakti spoke aloud what was on everyone else’s mind. Kunwar Pratap held a scroll from his father as he read aloud the instructions. They were supposed to go on a battle with Dungarpur because the Rana liked a dancer girl he wanted to “possess” there, and he was refused by the king. “We can’t be making enemies because he liked a dancer, Dadabhai.” He waited for his brother’s reaction. “Please tell me I am right?” Kunwar Pratap’s glance made Kunwar Shakti stop. The Rawat of Salumber and the Rao of Bijoliya were present there, and the last thing Pratap wanted was a rumour that the prince did not agree with the king. He cleared his throat. They were sitting in the Haveli at Kelwara, where Pratap was posted. Ever since his return to Chittor and the not-so-successful war against Marwar, both princes were posted away from home. Receiving the instruction at Mandalgarh, where Shakti was posted, he wasted no time gathering the two chiefs and arriving at Kelwar...

Scheme of Things

The ousting of Shams Khan and his troops from Chittorgarh earned Kunwar Partap Singh overnight fame across the land as tales of his bravery made their way through the dunes and hills, across rivers and borders to lands far and beyond. At thirteen, he had commanded an army troop to take over the fort of Chittorgarh and restore Mewar’s borders to their former glory. People started comparing him to his forefathers, the great Rana Kumbha, who built forts across Mewar and his grandfather, Rana Sanga, who had united all Rajputs against external threats. As bards sang praises of the prince, gossip soon followed. Gossip was the most entertaining one could get in the mundane city lives and village gatherings, and it often travelled faster than the fastest Marwadi horse. So alongside the tales of his absolute bravery and how he hoisted the Mewari flag on the fort, were the stories of how his life was in danger, the king and queen did not quite get along and how he was made to live in poverty by ...

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda amidst uncertainty and chaos. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rawat Chundawat, and some other chieftains stopped the ongoing Raj Tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani hadn't expected Kunwar Pratap to show up, that too, despite her conveying to him his father's last wish of crowning Kunwar Jagmal. Twenty-one days after Udai Singh's death, she was finally close to a dream she had dared to dream since Jagmal was born. He was not informed about the Raj Tilak as per Dheerbai's instructions. She eyed Rawat Ji. He must have assembled the chiefs to this revolt against her son, against the dead king. 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 was directed at her. She could stoop down so low? For the first time, an anger...

Love Struck

A new dawn was about to break in Mewar. Kunwar Pratap shifted in his bed as the lamp shone in the darkness. He was now facing her sleeping figure. Her hand rested on the pillow between them, the pillow he chose to keep there in the first place, but now it seemed like the symbol of the distance he wanted to bridge between their hearts. He stared at it, lost in thought. I promised myself to make you mine, but how? What if you... He stared at the sleeping figure, admitting in silence that no one, even the bravest enemy, scared him like her calm, composed self did. I am thinking like a typical husband. He smiled. What to do now, Ajabdeh? I am terrible with my words, unlike you. Pratap Singh! You need to learn a few things! He looked back at the ceiling in his thoughts. What if I drop hints? She knows me so well, maybe she will understand without me actually speaking for myself. The thoughts made his face light up. Yes, yes, that will be perfect. Let's try this. But... First things fir...

Queen of the Heart

Kunwar Pratap was in the Dangal Sthal practising his moves. Ajabdeh decided it was fair to know his strength before she summoned him. Sword in hand, in a white female warrior attire with only her face visible, she hid behind one of the large watchtowers of the Dangal, watching him move. She heard Rawatji say, "Your left hand is still weaker than the right one with the moves. Both should be perfect." A smile curved her lips. Knowing an opponent's weakness always helps, which is one rule of war she always remembered. Kunwar Pratap swung his sword with his left hand and turned around. He could sense someone watching; his sixth sense was never wrong. He looked around. Ajabdeh again peeped at the grounds to see that it was empty. He had left. She walked towards the empty ground, sword in hand. Suddenly, the cold blade of a sword was felt on her neck. She stopped still. " So someone was spying on me." His voice had a hint of taunt. " No, I was ... walking by......

Alliance and Love

Ajabdeh sat quietly on the palace balcony, her baby sound asleep on the Jhula . Unlike traditional Princesses, she did not let her firstborn be taken care of by Dai Ma . After all, she was the future Maharani and had to make sure the heir to the throne was safe. After all, she was one of the few to know how manipulative her stepmother-in-law was. The Bhatiyani Queen hated her husband. Suddenly, she heard footsteps and grew alarmed. "Baiji Sa..." She was relieved to see her Daasi . " Yes, what is it?" She asked, eagerly. " Maharani Sa sent you a message to be ready. Kunwar sa and Rana ji will be arriving back in Chittor any time soon, and it's been twenty-one days, so Maharani Sa wants you to welcome Kunwarsa yourself." As the Daasi left, she picked up her newborn, kissed his forehead and whispered, " Kunwar Sa will see you for the first time." Her eyes twinkled with joy. He had written to her continuously these last few months when he cou...

The Wounds of Love

The procession had stopped at a clearing. The women and children needed to rest for the day. The maids and guards who had followed them into this life of difficulty and sacrifice quickly laid the tents for rest. The young crown princess, still a child, was not used to the extreme conditions of the open air and the desert sun. She was slightly feverish. In the tent, her mother put her hand on his warm forehead, worried. There were sounds of footsteps, and she grew alarmed. The tent curtains parted. Ajabdeh Punwar entered the tent she shared with Pur Bai Solankini, a little worried. She managed a smile at Pur Bai as she checked the princess's fever. She checked the medicines kept by the bed and, after a reassuring nod at Pur Bai, stepped outside the tent where an eager Amar waited for her. "Keep vigil on your sisters." She ordered the eight-year-old as a pang of pain hit her. She did not want to take away his childhood and innocence with the weight of responsibilities so so...

RAABTA

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