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, 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 than me. 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”.

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RAABTA

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