I Know You

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 closing his eyes couldn't make them go.

“ Survi, tell me about the war,” Jaivanta asked. She was about to open her mouth when he started.

“ The Mughals were coming from there 5000 of them. The Bhills were up on that hill, Rana Punja’s Bhills. Hakim Khan and his troop aligned upfront. Amar was…. He was with Raoji.” He stared at Survi making her feel strange. His stare was like he was in a trance.

He said he never came here, then how can he describe so accurately? Survi’s eyes narrowed as he continued.

“ The troop remaining attacked Maan Singh and Chetak was badly injured.” He continued as she saw his eyes twinkle.

“ ….Then I rode away on Chetak one last time from the ground. Chetak fell on the way, his memorial is up there.” He pointed at the structure uphill.

“ You go and see the memorial I will sit here Survi.” Jaivanta was tired after the 30mins lecture from the ASI guy. She frankly didn't hear half the details.

Survi seemed to stare right at Pratap making him uncomfortable.

“Let's go.” He managed a smile. She nodded and walked ahead.

They climbed up to where Chetak stood life-like. He touched the statue “ Chetak.” His voice was…. Guilty?

“ You said I rode away…” Survi spoke up.

“ Pardon?” He asked surprised.

“ You said I rode away on Chetak. Why?” Her question stunned him, as he wondered. Will she believe the vision I got down there that I am… No….

“ It slipped, I was in character.” She saw him look away.

The car stopped at the village ruins. Jaivanta refused to get down from the car as Pratap and Survi walked through the ruins. She stopped at a place. She was right here and …
Someone had said “ Tilak.”

She closed her eyes to remember. She breathed deeply. She saw a crowd. Right in front of her.

“ Rana Pratap Ki Jai.” It echoed. The crowd parted and it was….

Pratap? She opened her eyes to see him stand exactly where he stood in her vision and look at her as though he was thinking the same.

“ Pratap.” Her mouth dried up as she looked away. “ Is there something you should tell me?” All of a sudden she was sure all the male voices she heard were his. He was unusually quiet. Looking away like he was guilty. Speak up, let me hear you.

“ Pratap.” She stepped forward and looked at him in the eyes.

“ Aja….” He stopped and closed his eyes to check himself. A shiver ran down her spine.

“ Pratap look at me. And tell me what you think. I am leaving tomorrow And I will never come back.” The last words made him look up at her teary eyes.

“ Are you who I think You are? Tell me.” She added calmly. Her eyes spoke of fear.

“ Kya bolu main? Kya bolu? You were right, I am mad, I … have these flashes and … I see these dreams and… You are in this wedding attire and your mother is my mother….” He seemed restless.

“ And yours is mine… and there are Mahals… and …” She was calm.

“ And you are dying… I am saying don’t leave me… don’t go…. Ajabdeh.” He stared at her as she looked shocked.

“ Ajabdeh?” She repeated. “ You call me Ajabdeh in your dreams?” He nodded helplessly.

“ I saw a dream yesterday. “ She looked away. “ You were filling my hairline and the crowd…”

“ Was shouting Kunwar Pratap and Ajabdeh Baisa ki jai?” He completed her sentence as tears appeared in her eyes.

“ You are… I am….” She fumbled.

Everything was clear like it was yesterday. The first sight, the wedding, the struggles, the enemies, Dheer Bai Ji! She remembered the face as she stared at him. Scared. Dheerbai had always wanted her dead and she was alive to see it then. He read her thoughts. He also remembered everything and was ready to accept it now.

“ I won’t let anyone win this time Ajabdeh, I promise.” He held her hand.

“ But… But....No one will believe us…” She was puzzled.

“ They will believe we can be in love and the rest is our secret.” He added. Wiping away her tears.

Then in an impulse of the moment like they had waited for each other forever they hugged. She closed her eyes feeling his heart beat as the voices in her head stopped. He felt like he had had this feeling before like she was in his arms before also. Tears flew. He kissed her forehead holding her like he never wants to let go.

“ Survi!” Jaivanta’s cry made them spring apart as she looked at the duo angry and humiliated.

“ You wanted to stay here for him?" She was angry. " This guy who lives in this... village and...Survi! I gave you freedom doesn't mean you will end up humiliating me. We are leaving right now.” She dragged a helpless Survi to the car as both pleaded “ No. You don’t understand.” Pratap followed them as Jaivanta shouted at the driver, " Take us back, then Luggage leke jaenge Udaipur."

Hansa saw a visibly angry Jaivanta walk in dragging a crying Survi by the hand. Pratap walked in restless and pleading.

“ Aunty please listen to me once.”

“ What Happened?” Hansa asked worried as Jaivanta lost her cool.

“ What happened? What happened is that your son was hugging my daughter under broad daylight.”

“ What?” She looked surprised. “ That can’t be... Pratap??” He looked away.

Dheer spoke up. “ I told you Jija this girl is trouble. She is here with some purpose. Kar di na badnami.”

“ Stop it!” Came a shout from Pratap stunning everyone as Survi looked wide-eyed.

“ You have done this before, I won’t let it happen again.” His words made her heart skip a beat. Scared at what he might say Survi whispered a warning. “ Umm… Pratap?”

“ Done what before?” Hansa asked confused.

“ She…” Pratap looked away. “ Mausi is jealous of you. Because Nanaji gave you his property.”

“ How dare you say that Pratap?” Dheer looked stunned. Then she stormed back to her room.

“ Look I have no interest in your family matters. Survi let's go.” Jaivanta spoke up again.

“ Listen to me, Mom.” She said in vain.

“ Jaivanta Ji, aap bina samjhe gussa ho rahe thee.” Hansa spoke up. “ Hum e batayiye kya hua hai.”

“ Bin samjhe? “ Jaivanta looked stunned. “Maine apne aakhon se…”

“ Listen to me Mom please,” Survi begged.

“ Stop it Ranima.” Pratap words made them look shocked.

“ Did you just… call me Ranima?” Jaivanta asked stunned.

Suddenly the voices were back in Survi’s head with that call.
Ranima. Ranima. Hum e pakriye. Ranima! It was a boy’s giggle in her head. She felt dizzy.

Ajabdeh, aapko hum jeetne nahi denge. Haan Ajabdeh, aap ke putra aap ke pati sab apse dur kar denge hum. Sab!

It was another voice, as the face became clearer from the dark.

“ Survi?” Her mother asked scared seeing her hold her head. Pratap turned around scared. Survi's vision blurted as everything looked dark. The only thing she saw was Pratap's face then another in the vision. Dheer Bai Bhattyani. She held the chair near her to balance herself. She was about to fall when Pratap caught her.
“ Ajabdeh?” His voice echoed in her head. " What's wrong? What's wrong?"
He looked pale. Jaivanta rushed to her daughter's side. " Survi? Beta?"
" I am calling a doctor."Hansa ran in a hurry.
Dheer walked out towards the commotion as Pratap raised his hand saying " Don't you dare come near her." Dheer looked at her nephew with wide eyes and Hansa looked surprised as Jaivanta cried " Why is she not moving?"

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See You Soon

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Stable Boy

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I Saw You

Kunwar Pratap was in his brown Dhoti, off-white angrakha and a piece of brown cloth tied to his head when he entered the palace premises. He was standing in the courtyard, eyeing the lofty towers and domes, wondering whom to talk to as some soldiers galloped their horses out of the stables on the right and some people were gathered on the left. The main entrance and two guards on either side and he decided to go towards the stairs leading up to the inner palace when the guards stopped him. “Who are you looking for?” “Rao ji?” He asked unsurely. “Rao Ramrakh…” “What audacity, boy?” The old guard scolded, “Say, Hukum!” “Yes, Hukum.” He nodded. “I came to tend to the stables.” “Then go to the stable, why are you loitering around the private gardens?” One of the soldiers said in a gruff voice. “He must be the one we were told about…” The other one reminded him. “Oh, go to the stables anyway, Hukum is busy practising, I will summon you once he is on the premises.” Pratap nodded at his words...

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...

Prologue: Impulsive Hearts

1576 CE. The dark clouds circled over the Haveli of the Chieftain at Avadgadh, one of the unimportant posts on the western borders of Mewar, Rajputana. It was the arrival of the rainy season, with occasional downpours over the green veil of the Aravallis on the horizon and the streams that often meandered around the hills now surged like rivers. The monotonous life in the little settlement was stirred by the arrival of guests in the Haveli. It was not usual for the old chieftain to receive so many guests, especially women and it sparked curiosity and rumours among the villagers. Who were these people? Some of them looked like royal ladies and some not. In the inner palace of Avadgadh, on a balustrade that was designed with Jali, nymphs adorning its pillars that looked over the Aravallis in a distance, covered with dark clouds, the gusty wind blew the new curtains almost toppling a vase kept by the window. She caught it, alarmed, almost out of the force of habit to be alert about her su...

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Kunwar Pratap was in the Dangal Sthal practising his moves. Ajabde decided it was fair to know his strength before the big competition. 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 the 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 and hatched a plan. Ajabde again peeped at the grounds to see 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...

Unexpected

" This is your room Ranisa." Hansa opened the door to the well-furnished large guest room of the Bijolia Palace. The diyas were lit and the room was neat and clean. " Your Daasis decorate the rooms well." Jaivanta Bai looked around. " Oh, Ranisa. all these... " Hansa smiled proudly. " All these are done by my daughter." " Your daughter?" Jaivanta Bai smiled surprised. " Milwayiye ." Jaivanta Bai was eager to meet her. " Ajabde! Ratan!" Hansa called as the girls came in. 13-year-old Ajabde preferred a simple lehenga in a pink and blue Dupatta clad over her head. She was the first one to calmly bend down and touch Maharani's feet as a five-year-old Ratan came running. " Ajabde is very talented in sewing, gardening and home decor. She can also...." " Maa Sa...." Ajabde's soft protest stopped Hansa as Jaivanta Bai smiled. " Accha, I won't tell but these are your good talents, right? ...

Protectors

Rao Surtan was at the Palace gates as the soldiers tried in vain to attack with arrows. His army was stronger and more competent than the one Balwant headed at the Bijolia Fort Gates. “Break the door” he ordered. “Where is Ajabde?” Hansa looked around the cellar. “Jija!” Ratan exclaimed. “She was on the roof last I saw.” “Ajabde.” Hansa Bai opened the cellar door and stepped out followed by Ratan who was equally worried. “Stay back!” Sajja Bai called in vain as Jaivanta Bai too walked out and up the stairs to the corridors of the Ranimahal in search of Ajabde. Meanwhile, Surtan’s army had entered the palace and he made his way to the Ranimahal. He was having different thoughts now. Killing Jaivanta Bai won't yield him anything… Maybe capturing a few young maidens… Ratan froze in the corridor seeing the man approach. Behind her were her mother and Jaivanta Bai with the same reaction. “ Jee Bavro ho gayo!” Surtan Singh took out his sword. Ratan took two ste...

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" Maharanisa! Maharanisa!" The Daasi ran through the quiet Rani Mahal as Jaivanta Bai who was sitting in front of the Lord in her room ever since she was back, rushed out of her room followed by Sajjabai and Veerbai. " What happened?" She asked, her voice calm, but her heart thumping. " Kunwarsa is here... with Kunwarani... She... She...." The Daasi sobbed as Jaivanta Bai rushed to the room. She stood at the door as her eyes couldn't believe what she saw. Kunwar Pratap was soaked in her blood as he laid her down on the bed shouting " Jaldi. Rajvaidya..." His eyes stopped at the door as Jaivanta Bai rushed to be beside the unconscious Ajabde. The Daasis and Sevaks were running about soon enough. SajjaBai gasped at the scene. So much blood. Kunwar Pratap hadn't noticed anything except her calm unconscious face. Now he looked down at his blood-soaked hands, red, he stared at them as though in a trance. " Kunwar Pratap! Tell me what happ...

You Deserve More

Ajabde woke up with the song of birds as she felt something warm clinging to her hand. Her eyes went wide. Her hand was on the pillow in between, between his hands, clasped as he slept. She thought of removing it slowly but he was holding it so tight. Ajabde's heart beat faster and faster. What do I do now? How do I not wake him? What if... why is my hand in his? She was utterly confused. " Am I..." In love? Pratap was staring at the sleeping figure on his bed as he again looked back at the rain. Then he looked back frowning as she shivered. He closed the windows of the room, to make it cosy then sat on his side of the bed. A lamp flickered on her side like always and he stared at her sleeping figure as he put his blanket over her as well. She shifted a little in her sleep to make herself cosy again. Her payals and bangles made a rhythmic sound breaking the silence of the room. Her hand was out of her blanket and on the pillow in between. He tried to slowly put it in th...

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