RAABTA

Ajabdeh looked around the unfamiliar surroundings nervously. The last two days have passed like a dream. The Marriage, the Vidai and the arrival at Chittorgarh. She was now sitting in the room she called her own, yet seemed so unfamiliar. She got up to see whether anyone was there keeping an eye on her. A little relieved, she took the lota from the centre table and placed it on the bedside table.  As soon as she placed it, three Dasis appeared at the door asking, “You need something, Kunwaranisa?” Eyes wide and nervous, she replied, “N…No… I was just…” “Maharanisa has told us to be at your service for every need.” “I… don’t… need….” She was scared at the thought that three Dasis will be at their toes for her needs. “Disperse now.” Sajja Bai’s voice made her feel relieved. “I will get Kunwaranisa dressed for Kunwarsa’s arrival.” She smiled at a nervous, happy bride. Kunwar Pratap’s eyes were not easy to outsmart. He caught Rawatji in the corridor, running out of Ra...

The ladies were all sitting around the bride in the evening, planning about the big day the next day, as the bride sat unmindfully, and the women played the Dhol and danced around her. "Bindni must be thinking of Kunwarsa ", someone teased. "Or the wedding ", another woman added. Jaivanta Bai observed an absent-minded Ajabdeh. After the guests retired after some singing and dancing, she took her hand and led her out of the hall to her chambers. "What happened?" She asked, closing the door behind her. "Ji?" She asked, surprised. "Why are you tense?" Jaivanta urged her to speak. "Ranima woh...." A knock made her stop as Kunwar Pratap appeared at the door. Patta followed him cluelessly and bowed to the queen. "Ranima, you called..." his eyes stopped on her worried face, then back at his mother. "Yes, I think Baijilal needs some talking to here." She left with a smile, closing the door behind h...

"Suno! Suno! Suno! Kunwar Pratap Singh, our crown prince, is marrying Rajkumari Ajabdeh Baisa of Bijolia this week. And in this happy event, Sakhaveer and Baijilal, being our saviours, have been declared heroes of the state by Ranaji for helping capture Jalam Singh. Suno! Suno! Suno! The messengers went around Mewar, rolling the drums as people rejoiced in the good news. That night, when a group of goons attacked a village, Sakhaveer appeared alone and managed to scare them away. As the news reached the palace, a proud sister smiled. Sajja Bai looked confused. "But Kunwarsa was here." She said aloud as Jaivanta Bai and Ajabdeh stared at her. "Who is this Sakhaveer?" Everyone present in the dining hall had the same question.  "Majhli Maasa." Kunwar Pratap interrupted. "Sakhaveer and Baijilal are no two persons; they are the thoughts and ideals of a true Rajput. Anyone can be Sakhaveer." Ajabdeh nodded approval as everyone smile...

Ajabdeh had never realised her family was so close-knit in a unit until today. She thanked god as she watched her parents and siblings in her room with a faint smile. “Ranaji is calling everyone to the Durbar,” b roke the family moment as faces turned grim again. She remembered his words as she veiled her face and held Ratan’s hand firmly. Rana Udai Singh was at the Durbar with a letter in hand. “Kunwar Pratap. Step forward and read this.” He looked serious. “Rawatji, send this.”  Kunwar Pratap did what he was told and read aloud. “ Ranaji, while patrolling the Western borders, I have come across something. There were two incidents of a sudden attack on our Sena Camps, and a few soldiers were killed. We fear they are Marwar soldiers who also looted a few villages. I think they are trying to take parts of our territory this way. However, we can not charge Rao Maldeo Rathore because there is no evidence.”  Kunwar Pratap frowned at the letter. “ We need to answe...

I am not going to lose so easily. I still have my last hope left. Baijilal, I am coming. Dheerbai smiled to herself as the Palki continued its journey. She had done everything, cried, fallen at Ranaji’s feet and sought forgiveness from Jaivanta Bai to make them believe her. She had won over Ranaji again, enough to accompany them on the journey. Kunwar Pratap smiled at the letter that arrived for him at Telhati. He read it thrice before telling Chakrapani, “Ranima wants me to meet them at… Bijolia!” “Laxmi. Eat now, what is wrong with you?” Ajabdeh was in a bad mood as she scolded Laxmi, who refused to eat. “Laxmi. Actually, people don’t know how to talk with love.” The voice behind her made her startled her. "Please eat, Laxmi.” He walked past her to Laxmi, patting her towards the bucket gently. “You…You…” She looked scared. “I…I…” He smiled. “Here?” She frowned. “Here.” He nodded. “Why?” She dreaded the answer. “Because," He stepped forward as she...