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To Bijolia

“ Mahek, I am going to Bijolia….”
“ Where?” She asked.
“ Bijolia” She replied. “ There are … Jain Temples there.”
“ But we are going to Kumbhalgarh tomorrow. Everything is fixed.” Mahek frowned.
“ You all carry on, I will be joining you,” Survi replied.

“ Kya Hua Bhaisaab?”
“ Mem Saab, tyre puncture ho Gayi.”
“ Aise highway pe?” She frowned. “ Dusra…”
“ Nahi hai Mem saab.”
“ Oh, no shit!” She stepped out of the car. 

A black heritage car was passing by, it suddenly stopped before her.  He peeped out.
“ Miss Joshi?”
“Mr Singh?” She asked surprised. “ Can… I get a lift to the nearest bus stop?”
“ Please come.”
She stepped in with her backpack looking a little guilty as she murmured “ Thanks.”
“ You seem to be in trouble every day.” He looked amused.
“ Story of my life!” She shrugged.

“ Where are you off to Miss Archeologist?”
“ Umm… I took your advice. Was starting with Bijolia when the car broke down.”
“ Bijolia? Then you don’t need a bus. I am going home for the Janmashtami Holidays.”
“ Thank You. Again.”She said.  He nodded.
“ Mr. Singh, you studied history and you are a local, so tell me what do you know about Ajabdeh Punwar?”
“ The Maharani?” He saw her take out a diary. “ Well, she … was queen consort, mother to the crown prince… and supported him. She was Bijolia’s samant Putri and she died early.”
“ That’s it?”
“ That’s it. But why are you …”
“ I am writing a project on women of Rajputana so…” She lied. She had to. She was not going to be a mad woman.

“ Ohh, we are here.” She got down looking lost as he got down after her.
“ This is the Jain temples.”  He pointed.
“ I want to see something related to…”
“ Her… okay, come with me… there are temple ruins from that area… the palace ruins are a little further away at the Kalan, but this one is near my house.”
He took her through the ruined corridors of what was once a temple.
“ Parvati temple for the royals,” he said. “ There is Mandakini Kund nearby.”
Ajabdeh… Ajabdeh….
She turned around at the noises.
“ What is it?” He asked.
“ I thought… someone was calling me…” She said unmindful. “ I mean… I thought I heard something.” He smiled.
“ There must be something in these corridors then.” He concluded.
“ Pardon?”
“ I sometimes heard my name too… as a kid… like someone is calling… I feel…” He seemed to take it so lightly.  “ What did you feel?”
“ Leave it, it's… nothing.” She looked disturbed.

“ Can I ask you something, Miss Joshi?” He seemed thoughtful.
“ Yes please, call me Survi.”
“  Have you been to Chittor? Did you feel something there?” He seemed awkward asking.
“ Like…. “ She felt uneasy as she said, “ Swords clashing?”
“ At the dangal.” He looked at her surprised as she stared wide-eyed.
“ And… I don’t know how… I thought the palace had 5…”
“ 5 and a half…” He added. “ Maybe it’s coz we read too much and….”
“ Imagine things.” She added quickly.
“Ms Joshi, do you have any … Rajasthan connect apart from the books?”
“ I…. My mom is … from Jallore.” He nodded.
“ Is there any place where I can read old historical books or find old texts?” She asked. I need some answers. Everything happens for a reason.
“ Yes “ He smiled. “ My house has a room full of them. I will ask Mom.”
“ But… I … It’s getting late.”
“ Miss Joshi you have already missed the last bus, it leaves at midday and it’s almost evening.”
“ Oh shit! But… Your house? Are You Sure?” He nodded.
The car stopped at the porch of the Haveli. A lady came down the stairs looking worried.
“ Pratap Beta… why are you so late? Main… Who is this?” She asked alarmed.
“ She is Ms. Joshi. She is a student of history and she wants to help with a project, she is writing about your family, the Punwars.”
“ Survi. Joshi. “ She smiled touching the lady’s feet.
“ She is researching Maharani Punwar” He added.
“ Ajabdeh?” The name gave her goosebumps again. Not because she heard it so often but because the voice that called her In the temple corridors sounded just like this lady's voice.
“ Who?” She asked surprising Pratap.
“ Ajabdeh Punwar?” The lady asked again. She was now sure, the voice was hers. But why?
“ Hansa ji, dinner is ready.” The cook came calling.
“ Chaliye.” Pratap’s mother smiled.
After Dinner, Ajabde was taken by Pratap into a room full of old texts.
“ This is a treasure chest.” She smiled impressed.
“ Yes, even we don’t know what all is here.” He was dusting off some dirt. They sat down on the floor with the books.
Her hand stopped at a line. Jaivanta Bai Songara, the Maharani of Udai Singh and mother to Pratap Singh was born in Jalore. She shut the book sweating. Then she stared at the stranger in front engrossed in his book.
“ I need to make a call.” She excused herself and called Mahek, telling her everything about the car breakdown as she added “ I think I will stay back a little, You people go on and do convince Mom for me please.”
She came back with a question. “ Have you ever been to Jallore Mr Singh?”
“ No, I have never even been to Haldighati.” He smiled.
“ I want to see everything around here. You were talking of some palace ruins…”
“ Yes at Bijolia Kalan. Stories say the Maharana and Maharani got married there.”
“ I want to see that!” Survi said curiously.
“ But there is nothing to see now, just rocks and bases,” Pratap added.
“ Still, I want to go. I want the voices to stop.” He looked at her. “Varna main pagal ho jaungi. No one will believe me.”
“ I know, I tell no one what I feel.” He agreed.
At dawn, She woke and stepped out of the room she was given by a generous Hansa. Her nature was so warm she felt at home. She walked down the dark corridor in search of a balcony as she bumped into someone.
“ I’m sorry.” They spoke in unison. Then stared at each other.
She had sent her car, which came after a tyre change yesterday to the hotel in Udaipur to bring back her luggage. For the night she was in his mother’s saree. He stared at her looking typically Rajasthani in the attire and asked surprised,
“ Miss Joshi…”
“ Survi…” She corrected.
“ Survi, you are up so early?”
“ I always get up at dawn.” She smiled.
“ Me too.” He smiled back. She looked different in that attire and the messy let loose hair spread across her back.
“ Umm… “ She saw him smile and stare as she looked away from the dark brown eyes. “ I don’t know how to thank you and Aunty, I was in such a mess and…”
“ No No, it’s all right. You see, about the voices, I was wondering all night.” His words made her stare at him.
“ I think you are right, they are not normal, there has to be some reason for them and I also want to know what.” She smiled as he said it. Maybe he can help me.

“ By the way, I made arrangements. We can go to the Kalan today, then you can go back to Udaipur when you want for the rest of the trip.” She nodded happily and added a “ Thanks.”

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Protisruti

  প্রতিশ্রুতি  বন্দিতা মা কে জড়িয়ে ধরে যেন প্রাণ ফিরে পায়।  “ভাল আছিস?” জিগেস করে সুমতি। বন্দিতা হঠাৎ খেয়াল করে আগের মতো তার মুখ দেখেই তার মা আর তার মনের অবস্থা বুঝতে পারেন না। তার সাথে হঠাৎ মনে পরে কত অনায়াসে অনিরুদ্ধ বোঝে যে তার মন খারাপ। একবার জিজ্ঞেস করেছিল সে স্বামীকে, কি করে তিনি বোঝেন তার মন খারাপ। ছোট বন্দিতাকে তার মতন করে বুঝিয়েছিলেন তার স্বামী। আজ বন্দিতা বড় হয়েছে কিন্তু সেই প্রশ্ন সে আর করতে পারেনা। বন্দিতাকে খাটিয়ার উপর বসিয়ে এর মধ্যেই সুমতি যায় তার জন্য মুড়ি মুড়কি আনতে। বন্দিতার চোখ পরে পায়ের নূপুরের উপর। তিনি বলেছিলেন “তুমি খুশি হলে তোমার নূপুরের আওয়াজ অন্যরকম হয়, আর তোমার মন খারাপ হলে অন্যরকম।” বন্দিতা নূপুরটা বাজিয়ে দেখেছিল সেদিন। আজকে সে জানে পার্থক্য তার নূপুরের শব্দে নয়, অনিরুদ্ধের পর্যবেক্ষণ শক্তিতে। আবার কেন তার কথা ভাবছে সে? বাড়ি এসেছে মায়ের কাছে। আর ভাববে না সে, হয়তো দু তিন দিন পর ত্রিলোচনবাবু পাঠাবেন বিহারী কে বন্দিতাকে বাড়ি নিয়ে যেতে, ততদিন মায়ের কাছে একটু শান্তিতে থাকুক না সে।  দুপুরে আম দুধ দিয়ে ভাত দেয় তাকে সুমতি। “তোর প্রিয় খাবার দেখ, মাম...
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Answers

Aniruddha could not work all day. It started raining heavily outside, the curtains of the room swayed in the gusty wind, and things around the room toppled over. Koeli came to pick them up, to see if he wanted to eat anything but Aniruddha wanted to be left alone. Countless questions and fears raced through his mind. Bondita never went home like she did that day. Rather, once a year, even before Jamai Sasti, she checked the household chores a hundred times. If Batuk had a test, if someone was sick, she was reluctant to go. She just packed a bundle so quickly and left for her mother’s place. Had she distanced herself from Aniruddha? Was it his fault? Anirudha started thinking. Could she not take him as a husband because he pushed her away and hurt her? Aniruddha repented for his actions. If indeed Bondita denied their relationship knowing the truth behind it, could she be blamed? But was that why she was pretending to be asleep even though she was awake that night? What did she think ab...
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Promises

Bondita hugged her mother as if to find herself again.  "Are you okay?" Sumati smiled. Bondita suddenly noticed that her mother couldn't understand her state of mind just by looking at her face anymore. With that, she suddenly remembered how easily Aniruddha understood that she was upset. Once she asked her husband how he understood things without her saying it. Her husband explained to little Bondita in a way she would understand. Now that Bondita was grown up she could perhaps never ask him that question again. Meanwhile, Sumati hurried to get her some Muri Murki while she sat down on the bed. Bondita's eyes fell on her feet. He had said, "When you are happy, your anklet sounds different, and when you are sad, it is different." Bondita stirred her anklets unmindfully. Today she knew the difference was not in the sound of her Nupur but in Aniruddha's powers of observation. Why was she thinking about him? She came home to her mother. And she would not th...
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Choices

The winter rains and gusty wind were unpleasant weather for Adhiraja Ishaan Dev. The Suryapalian capital was far more tropical weather of the plain lands than that of Neelambargarh, situated on a plateau rather close to the Heemdevi. It rained more in Neelambargarh, and the winters were cold. The wine did very little to comfort him as he kept the lamps of his chamber lit in an attempt to feel warmer. On the contrary, he observed how Priyambada complained that the winter isn't cold enough. It had been a quarter of the moon cycle since Maharani Priyambada met Kumari Advika of Mait. Although Ishaan Dev was eager to know what the ladies did talk about, he wasn’t sure whether to ask Priyambada. So he waited for her to tell him something, anything! But Priyambada seemed to act like the meeting never happened. She didn’t even disclose anything to Smriti as per Kumar Viraj. Ishaan Dev was perplexed. What was talked of in the meeting? Worse, did Advika mention him? She must have. The last t...
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Going Home

Bondita's Mama came to Tulsipur to meet his daughter. He was a poor man and wore a short dhoti and a Batik shirt. It was wrong to come empty-handed to the daughter's house, so two pots of sweets accompanied him. Reluctantly, he had to go to Roy Chowdhury's house. They were the Zamindar of Tulsipur, the master of the father-in-law of Sampoorna, they needed to be respected. Apart from that, the fate of the sister and niece who he was reluctant to shelter and spent day and night rebuking them about had turned, the same sister now handed over some money to him by the end of the month, because of the kindness of Aniruddha Babu. He did not have the luxury of pushing Lakshmi away. Hence it was necessary to come to the landlord's house to meet his niece. In their house servants also dressed better than him; Look at the fate of the girl . Where he had arranged for her to stay in a corner of an old man's house, now Bondita was living a queen’s life.  Zamindar Trilochan Roy Ch...
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Uttor

  উত্তর   সারাদিন কাজে মন বসেনা অনিরুদ্ধর। বাইরে অঝোরে বৃষ্টি হতে থাকে, ঝোড়োও হওয়ায় ঘরের পর্দা দোলে , জিনিসপত্র এলোমেলো হয়ে যায়। কয়েলি আসে ছোট মালিকের জিনিস গুছিয়ে দিতে, তিনি কিছু খাবেন কিনা শুধোতে কিন্তু তাকে চলে যেতে বলে ঘরে খিল দেয় অনিরুদ্ধ। একা থাকতে চায়। তার মনে আনাগোনা করে অসংখ প্রশ্ন এবং আশংকা। যে ভাবে বন্দিতা স্বেচ্ছায় মায়ের কাছে গেল আজ, সেরকম সে কোনদিন যায়না । বরং বছরে একবার জামাই ষষ্টিতে যাওয়ার আগেও একশো বার বাড়ির কাজকম্ম দেখে শুনে যায়। বটুকের পরীক্ষা, কারুর শরীর খারাপ হলে তো কথাই নেই। সেই বন্দিতা আজ হঠাৎ বাড়ি যাবে বলে কি তাড়াতাড়ি পোটলা গুছিয়েছে। এতই কি দূরে চলে গেছে সে অনিরুদ্ধের থেকে? তা কি তার নিজের দোষে? ভাবতে থাকে অনিরুদ্ধ। সে দূরে সরিয়ে দিয়েছে বলে অভিমান না কি তাকে স্বামী রূপে গ্রহণ করতে পারেনা বন্দিতা? অনিরুদ্ধ পশ্চাতাপ করে। সত্যি যদি বন্দিতা সব জেনে তাদের সম্পর্ক অস্বীকার করে, তাকে কি দোষ দেওয়া চলে? তবে কি তাই সেদিন রাত্রে জেগে থাকা সত্যেও ঘুমের অভিনয় করছিল সে? কি ভেবেছে সে অনিরুদ্ধের ব্যাপারে? কেন চারিদিক বাছবিচার না করে এমন করল অনিরুদ্ধ? নিজের প্রতিজ্ঞ...
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Adornment

The rainy night had given way to a rather pleasant summer morning in Suryapali. The temperature was no longer soaring and a gentle breeze blew through the plains of Suryapali. The sun peeped out through the floating clouds occasionally. Priyambada walked into her chambers after a luncheon to find trays laid with drapes and jewellery, waiting for her. “The Maharani sent this for some celebration in the evening,” Vrinda spoke, bowing at her mistress who nodded silently. Priyambada eyed the trays and exhaled. She wasn’t sure if anyone talked to Ishaan Dev about the rituals. She dismissed Vrinda and decided to read the scripture. As Priyambada sat down on the edge of the bed, scripture in hand, her thoughts travelled to the happenings of the night and she inhaled as her throat felt dry. Why did he stop? Did he feel that he had offended her? Priyambada wondered. She walked up to the attire laid down for the evening and picked up the drape wrapped into a bodice and wrap-around skirt. They w...
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Ghore Fera

  ঘরে ফেরা   বন্দিতার মামা মেয়ের সাথে দেখা করতে আসেন তুলশিপুর। গরিবের ঘরের ছা পোষা চেহারা তার, পরনে খাটো ধুতি ও ছিটের জামা। মেয়ের শশুরবাড়িতে খালি হাতে আসা অন্যায় তাই দুটি মিষ্টির হাড়ি সাথে। অনিচ্ছা সত্তেও রায় চৌধুরী বাড়িতে যেতে হয় তাকে। তারা তুলশিপুরের জমিদার, সম্পূর্ণার শ্বশুরের মনিব, তাদের সম্মান করে চলা মঙ্গল। তা ছাড়া যে বোন  ও বোনঝিকে আশ্রয় দেওয়া নিয়ে দিনরাত কথা শোনাতে বাঁধতো না তার, সেই বোন  এখন মাস গেলে তার হাতে টাকা তুলে দেয়, অনিরুদ্ধ বাবুর দয়ায়। হাতে আসা লক্ষ্মী পায়ে ঠেলার বিলাসিতা করার মত মুরোদ নয় তার। অগত্যা বোনঝির সাথে দেখা করতে জমিদার বাড়ি আসা। এদের বাড়ির চাকররাও  তার থেকে ভাল পোশাক পরে; ভাগ্য দেখো মেয়েটার। কোথায় কোন বুড়োর বাড়ির এক কোণে পরে থাকার ব্যবস্থা করেছিল সে, এখন বন্দিতা রাজরানী।  জমিদার ত্রিলোচন রায় চৌধুরীর যাকে পছন্দ নয় তাকে তিনি সেটা বুঝিয়ে দিতে দ্বিধা বোধ করেন না। বন্দিতার মামা তার তেমন এক অপছন্দের পাত্র । বৌমার মুখে তিনি যা  শুনেছেন তারপর বৌমার তাদের প্রতি টান দেখে আশ্চর্য হন ত্রিলোচন বাবু। কিন্তু কুটুম্ব তারা। হাতে কর...
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Trust

Ishaan Dev woke up at the sound of the hourly bells and trumpets and found himself alone in bed. It took him some time to realise that he had perhaps overslept as he looked confused, half asleep first at the hourglass and then at the sun rays coming into the chambers through the swaying curtains. He sat up to suddenly remember the happenings of the night, as his eyes travelled to the blood stain on the sheet and he sat in contemplation for a good few minutes. He finally had his moment with Priyambada and it was nothing like he had imagined it to be. A part of him that yearned to touch her and taste her was satisfied enough to realise that his longing for her was not only physical. When bodies entwined in the union, and he had pushed himself in, as he had with a hundred other women before her, something in him felt a different sense of completeness and fulfilment that he realised was missing from his life. He had seen Priyambada react to the sensations that were completely new to her, m...
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Gratefulness

Aniruddha did not return home that night, he informed on the telephone that he was stuck in urgent work so he would return home the next day after spending the night at the client's house. Bondita spent a sleepless night. What would she tell Barrister Babu? And why would he believe it? She was lost in her thoughts twisting and turning in bed all night. She was hurt. Was her husband so reluctant towards their relationship that he did not wish to return home because of her? Once he was busy with some work and was pacing in the study room. Bondita was a child. Her Jetha Shoshur Moshai had taught her to serve her husband. She used to see Bihari take a cup of tea to the study room every day. Despite Bihari's resistance, she picked up the cup of tea that day.  "Don't do this, Ginnima ," Bihari was terrified. “Barrister Babu does not like to talk or be disturbed during his work. If he gets angry, I will lose my job.” Bondita ignored his words and entered the study room w...
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