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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See You Soon

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