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 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 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, with her hidden in her dupatta. She was looking for the red file and found it under a pile of clothes in the wardrobe.

“ What?? Fraud?” 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 on 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 spoke 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 like it was 500 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 and was preoccupied with her sudden dreams. Rather nightmares. As soon as she saw the Kalan 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 to stop at the temple. Hansa and Jaivanta gathered 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 send 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 was just another word for their love.

“ What is Pratap going to perform to?” 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 pyyar 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 cooly 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 pouch 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 maut 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 l 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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Chapter One: Masquerades

“Reginald Dyer is yet to apologise for the incident which was criticised worldwide. Punjab is on high alert.” The transistor in the living room broke with the morning news. “On other news the League of Nations…” Meera wiped the already clean surface of the showcase for the second time while listening to it. One of the servants came around and switched the channel to a station where a Raga played. Meera tip-toed up to the transistor and looked around before lowering the volume. She was standing outside the door of the Magistrate’s home office, clad in a saree borrowed from Nimai’s mother, who worked at her Pishima’s house. “I need it for my maid back where I work.” Meera lied with a straight face. Nimai’s mother did not care; she was getting Didimoni’s beautiful blue Jamdani instead of her tattered clothes; she would not think twice about this unharming exchange. Meera tried to listen. The gardener sang outside, tending to the flowerbeds as his scissors snipped the bushes back to shape

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabde looked visibly displeased at the daasi who ran. " They are at the fort gates and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red Jora and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maa sa Maa sa... 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. " Ajabde." 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!" Amar exclaimed

Protibimbo: Characters

Before Indian Independence Movement gained its prominence and momentum in the year 1930 across Bengal with the weaponry loot by Surya Sen, attacks across the offices of British Raj in Bengal by Bengal Volunteers, Jugantar Dol and other prominent anarchists, and Binoy-Badal-Dinesh stormed into Writers' Building, the 1920s were a built up to the movement when several large and small scale anarchist groups worked underground to strike the system of British Governance. It was a time when Indians realised that conferences did not bring independence to colonies, they had to pick up arms against the British Imperialists. This story is fictional. But in its core, every character represents several hundred unnamed heroes and sheroes of our freedom struggle whose names do not appear in the pages of history. " Protibimbo " meaning reflection is a story that reflects on relationships, freedom, sacrifice and battles fought within the society of that time. Characters: Abhaya: 15-year-o

Destiny

The war was almost won. A few of Marwar’s soldiers were left on the field along with Rao Maldeo Singh Rathore, their king and leader. He was thinking of retreating at the end of this day. As his sword clashed with one of the opponent generals as he eyed the opponent King now open and prone to attack. A little hope flickered in his mind as his eyes instructed his closest aide. The opponent was quite in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just 16 yet his bravery and valour reflected his blood and upbringing. He mesmerised the opponents and even Rao Maldeo with his clever war strategies and sword skills. As Maldeo’s aide swung his sword at a taken aback Udai Singh, someone’s sword defended it as his body acted like a shield for the king. He killed the man in one go. “ Ranaji are you okay?” “ Haan Raoji.” He nodded gratefully. By half the day, the Marwar army had retreated as the air filled with “ Jai Mewar! Jai Eklingji!” From the triumphant soldiers. Rana Udai Si

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rao Ramrakh and Rawatji stopped the ongoing Raj tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhattiyani hadn't expected this son of Mewar to show up that too twenty-one days after his father's death. He was not informed as per Dheerbai's instructions. She looked at Rawat Ji. He must have gone to Raoji at Bijolia. 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 came. She could stoop down so low? " We were about to inform you..." She spoke up in her defence. " When Dheerbai ji?" Maharani Jaivanta Bai, clad in white entered the hall as people bowed before her. " After your son's coronation?" " I did nothing Badima I swear!" A low voice came from Jagmal. " Maha

Chapter Two: Catastrophe

Abhaya was suffocating as she could now taste the soot and ash in her mouth. She could see the smoke engulf her. The boxes around her turned into shadows in the blurred vision. She opened her mouth to breathe but the choking air wanted to make her cough. She ran, stumbling upon some boxes and utensils towards the window on the other side. It was shut firmly and her weak hands could do little to move it an inch. She placed the end of her saree over her face and coughed, hoping not to be heard from the outside. The sound of chaos and footsteps outside was increasing. She heard a scream. Was it her mother? Her sister? Or one of the sisters-in-law? Were they escaping? Should she try too? She tried to find something to break the window with, but instead, she froze at the sight of flames entering through the cracks of the door she had shut behind her. Abhaya said a soft prayer. This is how it ends. This was not the country her father served. This was not the country her mother read stories o

Struggle of Thoughts

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde had both by the first week known each other's schedules well and they made sure that their timings didn't clash, be it in the puja Ghar, dressing room or elsewhere. They tried to stay out of each other's way as much as possible, giving each other the space they needed. Ajabde had learned that Kunwar Pratap preferred cold sharbat and desserts over steaming hot food, he liked to wake up with the first bird's call at dawn, he didn't like any disturbances at work or at the Dangal Sthal, and he loved his mother the most. Kunwar Pratap had learned that she was intelligent enough to decipher unsaid words between the lines of any novel, epic or book she read. She was very much into spending most of her time reading or sewing and when outside he always spotted her in the garden tending to flowers with his sisters. What he saw was how similar her lifestyle was to his mother's in a very weird way. She liked things simple, preferred to make her own

Love?

“I swear I can kill that Sakhaveer.” Balwant swung his sword at the Dangal as Ratan and Ajabde looked on. Ajabde hid a smile as Ratan looked amused. “Like you did last time?” Ratan’s chuckle made Ajabde press her hands with a soft no as Balwant stopped his sword and looked angry. “What do you know Ratan?” He roared angrily. “What do girls know anyways about fighting??” “Jija can fight better than you.” Ratan looked angry and defensive. “Ratan! Leave it.” Ajabde insisted. “No!! Jija, I saw you, you are better…” “Then let’s have a duel Jija.” Balwant insisted. “No.” Ajabde looked surprised and shaken. “It’s been such a long time since I have …” “No excuses Jija, teach him! That girls can be…” Ratan insisted as Balwant handed her a sword she took rather reluctantly. She tied the corners of her dupatta together and her braid in a bun. Kunwar Pratap was making his way out at the Dangal when he heard swords clash. He gathered the father-son duo would be at the Dangal

Towards You

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were friends. He didn't feel awkward sharing his plans and thoughts with her anymore. She was more than happy to advise him on everything. She was happy he listened to her advice before taking or discarding them, be it on what to wear to Padmavati's Sagai or how to befriend the revolting Bhils. He loved the way Ajabde always used metaphors from Puranas and Ramayanas to explain the toughest things so easily. She expressed herself so well, so easily that it amazed him. The Afghans were now led by Mehmood Shah. They have made secret territories in the forests and waited to attack. Rawatji and his spies had confirmed the news and Udai Singh had warned Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. And his spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. One of his aides

She Left...

The war was over and so were the hopes of regaining Chittor. The Battle at Haldighati had robbed the Rana of all his wealth, and brave men, and bruised him for life. Trying to match up to Akbar or rather Raja Man Singh's army with one-third its strength had cost his bravery dearly. He had lost his friend and companion. He had brushed past death. The only good thing that this war ensured was that Akbar accepted that he cannot have Mewar. His army retreated and left the country in peace after almost two decades and seventeen wars. This war gave something else too. Kunwar Shakti came to help his brother in his time of need. He lived up to his brother's expectations of being loyal to his family. A heavy-hearted Rana Pratap Singh was overseeing the construction work on his lost friend's memorial right where he died, trying to save his master. The Bronze statue of the life-like Chetak stood tall but was no match for the void Chetak has left behind. He was lost in his thoughts as

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