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Happy Ending

By
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 whether 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 had won. It meant... Dheer was now worried about the phrase History repeats itself. She didn't care about the past anymore, frankly. Even if they knew, they couldn't prove anything! No one would believe it if Pratap claimed to be the Maharana. What she was really worried about now was that Pratap knew her deeds in the present. She had been in his good books forever until this girl came, and all of a sudden, Pratap seemed a little cold towards her.

Her escape plan was foolproof. She had called an associate in Delhi who would take her from here to Udaipur, and she would take a flight away from the country. She had planned to leave a letter and not tell Hansa beforehand, as then, if at all anyone knew, they couldn't catch her. Now, she only has the wedding to attend, and she will never see her past again. However, out of her curiosity and fear, she wanted to know what Survi knew.

Survi was being dressed in bridal attire by her friends when she walked in. Survi saw her reflection in the mirror, and she remembered another wedding era ago when this woman had welcomed her with the sweetest smile. She smiled the same smile, turning, " Aree Mausi? Can I call you that now?" There was a slight hint of sarcasm.
" Of course, now that you are his...."
" I will be in a few hours." She blushed. Dheer smiled and took the mantika.
" May I?"
" Sure, Mausi."
" Survi, I have no children, so Pratap is like my own."
" I know Mausi. He says he is closer to you than Maasa also." Saying this, Survi did the unusual. She hugged Dheer. Dheer was a little taken aback and smiled. No way does Ajabdeh remember!

 The wedding day seemed like the one she remembered as he looked royal in his golden sherwani and red pagri. Her red Jora, he designed it like it was. He remembered the smallest details. As she walked into the Mandap, helped by her friends and Dheer, who was now keeping an eye on Pratap to see his reactions, his heart skipped a beat, alarmed by Dheer's look while he managed a smile. They sat for the wedding in front of a small gathering as the sun shone bright. She stared at him as she remembered that last time, the heavy dupatta had been blocking her view... This time, he had kept it simple, the way she desired. It was time for Gath Bandhan and Pratap to stare at Dheer.
" Mausi, do the gaand bandhan please." He smiled. Survi nodded.

His request reassured Dheer that they didn't remember what she did. She did the bandhan as Pratap stared at Survi, who blushed happily. They were having the most important day of their lives. For they were reuniting and renewing age-old vows, and because it was time to make evil pay.

As he took her hand for the Pheras and flowers rained upon them, Survi had tears in her eyes. She could hear the happy souls of Chittor bless them. She could see the faces of all the people she had loved and lost in time. Raoji, Rawatji, Patta, Balwant, Ratan, and all the people she called family in Chittor. She was glad that Jaivanta and Hansa smiled at them happily. They might not have known or remembered anything, but their mere presence made her feel safe. He understood her thought as he stared at her twinkling eyes during Jaimala and smiled reassuringly. Pratap also felt as if the souls of everyone who was killed by the Mughals wanted Dheer Bai to suffer. He filled her hairline with the sindoor as Dheer watched her worst dream come true with a helpless smile. Pratap smiled at his Ajabdeh and made a promise to himself. I won't let you go; I will make you happy this time.

Survi and Pratap stared right at her, smiling as she felt even more awkward. Dheer was clearly not enjoying the party or the food as Pratap kept an eye on her activities. Soon after the party, the cars were leaving one by one, and Pratap insisted he would go in the last car with Dheer Mausi and Survi. " My two favourite people." He smiled at Dheer. Dheer agreed. Reaching home, I will take my bags and escape through the back door while you do your rasms! I can't take the risk anymore.

As the place emptied out, Pratap got up and took Survi's hand.
“ One moment, Mausi, I forgot something important.” He smiled.
“ Sure, take your time.” She smiled back.

Pratap lit the Mandap kund with a diya and smiled at Survi, taking her hand.
“ We will take our own vows now. Ready?” He was loud enough.
“ Yes, sure.” She nodded. We have done this before.
Dheer walked up to the mandap to watch them. They were so childish, not at all like the Pratap and Ajabdeh she knew.

“ Pehla… Hum kabhi kisi teesre ke baaton mein nahi ayenge.” He regretted leaving her.
“ Dusra, kabhi agar koi hume dukh de, unko maaf nahi karenge.” She added.
“ Teesra, I will protect you with my life.” He smiled at her.
“ I will protect our dreams and give you a happy life.” She smiled back.
“ Hum kabhi bhi koi bhi problem mein akele nahi honge.” He added, firmly holding her hand.
“ Hum kabhi ek dusre pe trust karna nahi chodenge.” She added.

They stop and stare at Dheer, who had turned a little pale as they added in unison, “ Jo pehle hua dobara nahi hoga,” hand in hand. 
Dheer took a step back, visibly scared.
Survi smiled.
“ Kya hua, Mausiji? Oops…. Chotima?” She asked. Dheer saw a police jeep appear behind her.
“ P…Pratap! Yeh… Yeh Ladki galat samajh rahi… maine kuch nahi kia… kaun Chotima?”
“ Aap. Aap Chotima.” He was angry. “ Wohi Chotima jinhone humara zindagi narkh bana dala. Cheen li humse humare Ajabdeh ko.” He stared at Survi.
“ Officers take her. Iss baar aap haar gayi.” Pratap smiled. Dheer gasped as she found herself surrounded by armed police women. " You are a fraud who escaped from Delhi, hume pata hai."

Dheer was screaming, “ Pratap! Pratap! Apne ma ka socho, humare parivaar ka …” as the police took her away.
A sudden gust of cold wind blew as Pratap held her hand and looked into her eyes, and whispered.
“ Ajabdeh.”
“ Ji?”
“ Hum aapse bohot prem karte hai.” He smiled at her blush.
“ I love you, too.” She hid her face in his chest.


 Dheer was given Life Imprisonment for two frauds, planning another that involved a murder, and also, as Pratap mentioned in his complaint, planning an attack on his bride, a day before the wedding. Survi was not ready to accept that she came to her room to attack, but Pratap concluded she was just being the nice self she is. Dheer had no sympathy from her sister or anyone, as Hansa was shocked at her truth. Her sister was a fraud, an escapist and someone who tried to hurt her son. Dheer had no way out as everyone refused to believe her lies.

5 years later.

“ Mamma is working, na? Stay with me.” Pratap urged an impatient Amar.
“ What is she doing?” He asked with a frown. Amar Singh was a reflection of his father.
“ She is helping the ASI reconstruct the Chittor Kumbha Palace as it was.” He pointed at the ruined Palace from where they stood. He smiled unknowingly, proudly.
" Like it was before..." He stopped closing his eyes and added, " Chittor siege." The boy looked confused. Whenever they came here, Papa and Mamma always behaved like they knew this place so well, and all he could see were rocks and temples.

Survi had changed her name to Ajabdeh Pratap Singh, much to her mother’s annoyance. Jaivanta had concluded that her history obsession had made her mad. Pratap had just smiled at her decision. She was now the chief Archaeologist in the project. She walked out to see her family waiting, and she smiled at them. Amar ran to hug her.
“ Mamma!”
“ Kya sikhayi thi?” She asked sternly.
“ Ranima!” The child giggled. She picked up the boy and hugged him before placing him down as he ran to play.

Pratap smiled as he walked towards his wife.
“ The project will be done in the next three years, Pratap. The Kumbha Palace will stand again.” She smiled at him. " Chittor will be back to its former glory." She stared at the Royal flag flying.
“ We have done it, Ajab, we have come back to Chittor.” He smiled as she nodded. " We have done it." She repeated.
" And once it stands, we will bring Amar here each year." He looked excited.
" And the government has also proposed an annual remembrance meet for the Bravehearts of the... siege. They will make idols of Rawatji, Patta, Jaimal Ji and... the Viranganas." She said with a shake of the voice as he held her hand and pressed it, reassuring her he was proud, and the fact that he knew how much she wanted to be part of it like he did, but that was a past they couldn't change.

Amar was playing with a rock as they stared at him proudly. The day he came, they had chosen his name the moment they heard " It's a boy." It's like they knew him already. It's like they knew it was a boy.
" Will he remember?" She wondered.
" Time will tell."
“ I wish he remembered.” She added.
“ Me too.” He answered as she put her tired head on his shoulders and he kissed her forehead, holding her hand, as they looked at Amar Pratap Singh play.
THE END



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