Disguise

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 stepped back. “ I have something to say.”

“What….” She looked confused.

“Woh….” He looked away. “Umm..... Ranima wrote to me.”

“What? That reminds me, why are you still here? What did you tell Daata?”She feared his stubbornness as he smiled slyly.

“Ranima and Daajiraj are coming here.”

“Is there a war again?” She frowned worriedly as he laughed at her face.

“No.” He shook his head. “A wedding…”

“ A …Whose?” His smile made her look at him wide-eyed as her heart skipped a beat. 

He looked confused as she ran inside, leaving him with Laxmi.

“ This is our good fortune that you are asking for my Ajabdeh for Kunwar Pratap Ranaji; there is no question of refusal.” Raoji looked pleased. “ We are more than…”

“Toh… call the RajPurohit ji…” Sajjabai smiled at Hansa Bai. “ Let’s decide the wedding dates. We want it soon!”

“Is Kunwar Pratap here?” Udai Singh asked the question reluctantly, looking at Jaivanta Bai once.

“ Kunwar Pratap?” Raoji narrowed his eyes when Balwant entered, saying, “Look who I found with Laxmi.”

They stared at the door where an awkward-faced Pratap stood with Balwant, who was grinning.

“We will go and meet Ajabdeh.” Jaivanta Bai smiled as Sajja Bai and Dheer Bai followed her and Hansa Bai inside.

Ajabdeh was in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. A smile appeared on her face, and she blushed. Everything seemed like a dream. She heard footsteps and giggles when she opened a granth and appeared to be reading. Hansa Bai entered, calling softly, “Ajabdeh.”

“Ji?” Her heart thumped in her chest as she looked up at the smiling faces. She rose up and went to touch their feet when Jaivanta Bai cupped her face and smiled with a nod that made her blush.

“Today I will get her ready! Jija, is that all right with you?” Sajja Bai asked excitedly as Hansa Bai and Jaivanta Bai smiled at each other.

“ I am sending Ratan to help you.” Hansa Bai left in a hurry as Dheerbai stood watching. Jaivanta Bai followed her out.

“Choti Ranisa, please have a seat.” Ajabdeh smiled, indicating the couch as she sat down with a sweet smile that couldn’t deceive Ajabdeh. Ratan appeared in all smiles when Sajjabai said, “Come, let's dress her up like Kunwar Pratap likes, simple.” Ajabdeh blushed red as Ratan giggled, “I knew he was here for her when I saw him here on day one. My predictions worked, Ranisa.” Sajjabai smiled at her as Ajabdeh looked scared at Ratan’s carefree nature.

Dheerbai was staring right at Ajabdeh, making her feel uncomfortable. She finally spoke up, “But Mewar’s future Kunwarani should dress royally, right?” Sajja Bai ignored her words as she sat to choose the jewellery.

Hansa Bai was at the Puja Ghar, with teary eyes. Since Udai Singh and his family arrived, they feared an impending war. But what came was a great surprise and a dream come true. She was very worried ever since she saw Ajabdeh cry and lose her composure when they left. With the news of Kunwar Pratap’s marriage coming, she feared her daughter would be shattered because of the dream she dared to dream. But here, actually, things were in her favour. Jaivanta Bai stepped into the Pujaghar, breaking her chain of thoughts.

“You are all right?” She placed her hand on Hansa’s shoulder. “ I promise you Ajabdeh will be safe and happy in Chittor…”

“I know that I am just so overwhelmed that Kunwar Pratap! My Ajabdeh was always so quiet and hated attention and … Bhagwanji is kind.”

“No, Hansa Bai, she deserves everything she is going to have and a lot more. You have no idea what a talented daughter you… We have.” The last words made Hansa smile as they hugged each other. Ratan came running to say that Panditji had arrived, and everyone was called to the Durbar to fix the wedding dates.

Kunwar Pratap was sitting beside his father, who asked him, “Happy?” He could only blush in return as the elders talked about the preparations. Balwant said, “I will go get the ladies.” Bowing to the king for permission as soon as the Rajpurohitji arrived. 

The ladies soon appeared in the Jharokha above as the Rajpurohitji matched the dates. Kunwar Pratap’s eyes travelled slowly and carefully to the Jharokha, only to notice his mother smiling and Ratan and Majhli Ma giggling before he looked away, embarrassed. She smiled behind her veil, watching him look for her in vain.

“ All 36 Gunas are a perfect match, Ranaji. Where did you find such a match made in heaven?” The purohit’s words made Kunwar Pratap look wide-eyed at him and back at the Jharokha from the corner of his eyes. This time, he saw his mother hug her and smile.

“Apparently, he found the match himself; we were just happy to agree.” Udai Singh chuckled, embarrassing Pratap.

“ The wedding can happen in a week.”

“Wah Jija! A week!” Sajja Bai hugged Jaivanta Bai.

“ Ranaji, if you don’t mind, it’s our tradition in Bijolia that the bride is seen on a bowl of water by the groom, and also we do his tilak the very day the wedding is fixed. If you don’t mind…”

“Not at all, Raoji, do what you need to.” Rana Udai Singh smiled, looking at the Jharokha for Jaivanta Bai’s approving nod.

“Balwant, call Maasa and Jija,” Raoji instructed.

He didn’t look up as she arrived veiled and touched his father’s feet. As per the traditions, the water was kept, and Hansa Bai instructed everyone to leave them alone while they enjoyed some food before the Tilak.

As the doors closed behind them, Ajabdeh rubbed her hands together, making him smile. Ratan and Sajjabai secretly appeared on the Jharokha to watch the duo. Jaivanta Bai smiled at Sajja Bai’s over-enthusiasm.

After a minute's silence, Kunwar Pratap decided to speak up.

“Umm… If you don’t unveil, how can I see your face?”

“No one told me to unveil.” Came a firm reply.

“But isn’t that implied in the Rasm?” He frowned.

“No.”

“Yes!”

“What will you do seeing my face? It’s for people who see faces for the first time. That’s the tradition,” She was adamant.

“Accha? You know a lot about weddings!” He taunted.

“No! This is my first.” Her serious protest made him laugh.

“Ajabdeh! Do you realise we fight over everything?”

“So?” She frowned.

“I doubt…” He appeared to be thinking.

“What?” She lifted her veil with a frown.

“I don't know. It worked!” He smiled as she realised her mistake and looked wide-eyed. “It works every time.” He smiled, making her narrow her eyes before smiling shyly at him as he looked at her reflection in the water and back at her.

“They are so adorable!” Sajja Bai smiled at Ratan, watching the fight.

“Ahem?”

“Jija!” Sajja Bai jumped away from the jharokha, scared. “I was… scolding Ratan… she was…” Jaivanta Bai’s smile stopped her as Maharani Jaivanta Bai added, “It’s time for the Tilak, bring them to the Puja room.”

The door opened as Ajabdeh veiled her face again. He looked away and then smiled at Sajja Bai, who gestured at him to follow her as she took Ajabdeh’s hand.

Kunwar Pratap sat for the Tilak when Raoji came with gifts. As he was about to give a special handloom Shawl to Ranaji, Dheerbaiji spoke up.

“Ranaji, I hope, as Kunwar Pratap’s Chotima, I have some rights over him.” Her words made Kunwar Pratap stare at his mother, who frowned. 

“I just want to ask the bride some questions before this Rasm.”

Udai Singh nodded approval as Ajabdeh inhaled deeply.

“You see Ajabdeh…” Dheerbai walked up to her, facing her as everyone watched, “I had chosen my niece for Kunwar Pratap, she is the princess of Marwar…. But he had already chosen you…” Her voice spoke disappointment as Ajabdeh rubbed her hands.

“Past is past, Dheerbai ji.” Jaivanta Bai interrupted.

“Yes, of course, Jija, I think Ajabde is perfect… But… you see… weddings are between families… here … I want to ask Ajabdeh… Don’t you have any questions about Kunwar Pratap before marrying him? You know every girl…”

“No,” came a soft reply that made him smile.

“Well, that is strange, the whole Punwar Family knows that he was Sakhaveer and he had a female aide, Baijilal, still none of you wants to know anything about that girl?”

“ Chotima.” Kunwar Pratap appeared displeased. “ We had a deal that she would never be mentioned again!”

“I trust him, Choti Ranisa,” Ajabdeh spoke up. Firmly.

“Do you? Or do you know who Baijilal is?” Her question made everyone frown as Ajabdeh looked up, shocked, and Kunwar Pratap stared at his helpless mother.

“Pardon?”

“Ranaji, pardon me, but I think before we take this talk any further, we need to clear the Punwar family of some allegations.” Dheerbai smiled.

“What allegations, Ranisa?” Raoji asked, surprised as Hansa looked confused.

“Allegations that you know who Baijilal is, you protect her identity because she does half your job while you enjoy Samant’s position. Allegations that you somehow lured Kunwar Pratap into being Sakhaveer. He was never disobedient to his father, but he came here and, see what happened. First, he rebels, then he becomes adamant about marrying your daughter. Don’t you have a hand in this?”

“Chotima!” Kunwar Pratap controlled his anger as Udai Singh frowned thoughtfully.

“Don’t interrupt me, Kunwarsa, your Daajiraj decides for you, and I am not wrong this time.”

“Raoji.” Udai Singh spoke up. “You have something to say?”

“Hukum I…”

“What will he say? He knows and protects her; there must be some reason for it.” Dheerbai frowned.

“We don’t know Baijilal, and neither did we ever support a girl doing all that.” Hansa Bai spoke up. “ If we knew who she was, we would have punished her.”

Ajabdeh looked up at her parents as they spoke up, helpless and trapped.

“End this here.”Udai Singh spoke up.

“ I am sorry, Ranaji, but I still have a question unanswered here. They didn’t know. But Ajabdeh?” She turned to the bride.

“ Choti Ranisa.” She tried hard to keep her composure. “ You had alleged my family and questioned their loyalty to Mewar. I will give you the answers that will make you stop blaming them.”

“Finally.” Dheerbai Smiled. 

Ajabdeh looked at Kunwar Pratap, who nodded a soft “Don’t”.

“ Give me some time. I will be back.” 

She walked out of the room as Kunwar Pratap looked restless.

After a while, a gasp resounded as everyone stared at Baijilal standing at the door with her sword. She quietly walked across the speechless crowd and turned to Kunwar Pratap.

“I am sorry, I have to do this. I have to break your promise to clean the family name.”

“I understand.” He nodded, his eyes not leaving hers.

“ After this, I am not sure where I will be or what the future holds, but I regret no action I took for my motherland.” 

She looked at the crowd as Jaivanta Bai approved. She placed her sword at Udai Singh’s feet and said, “ The people needed protection, Ranaji. Now that you are here, you can have my word that Baijilal will not appear unless necessary.” She opened her dupatta, and her face stood revealed.

“I was right.” Only Dheerbai’s words were heard in the silence as the others stood speechless.

“ I knew this, too.” Jaivanta Bai stared at Udai Singh, as he kept looking at Baijilal, trying to place her in Ajabdeh.

“I just want to clear my family name. No one except Sakhaveer knew who I was.” She folded her hands, lowering her gaze. 

Raoji sat down like he had seen a ghost. Ratan was kind of amused, remembering how Baijilal and Sakhaveer were hated by Balwant, who was fuming. Hansa Bai walked across the floor angrily, and a slap on Ajabdeh’s face made Kunwar Pratap tighten his fist and close his eyes. He opened them to see Ajabdeh sit on the floor like a statue, tears flowing as she stared at the family she wanted to be the pride of. They were too ashamed to even stare at her now. 

Udai Singh spoke up.

“Raoji. We will decide on the wedding in the evening. I want to be left alone.” He said the latter to his queens before leaving. Sajja Bai came to pick up Ajabdeh, wiping her tears, with a faint smile as she hugged her crying. Her sobs disturbed Pratap as he walked out of the hall.

Kunwar Pratap took Sarang for a ride in the forest to clear his thoughts on what had happened. He was angry at Dheerbai and disappointed in Raoji for his reaction. He was clear on his action now. He walked back in as all eyes were on him. The queens stared at him as he made his way to his room and asked, “ Where is Raoji?” To a guard.

Raoji was sitting on a couch as Hansa sobbed, and Ratan and Balwant stood silent. Kunwar Pratap’s footsteps made them look up.

“I am here to say something.” He spoke up clearly, adding “Where is Ajabdeh?” to Ratan.

“Jija is in her room and she refuses to come out,” Ratan spoke in fear and helplessness. She was proud of her Jija, no matter what people said.

“ Raoji, Hansa Mausi. What Ajabdeh did… She wanted to help her people once. The goons… were harming people, then we heard of Surtan and… whatever happened there was mostly my lead, she followed. She just wanted to live her Samant Dharm and not make you look bad. What she did… we did was not deshdroh, even Daajiraj believes that. I think… Hansa Mausi… You should be proud you have a daughter like her, Mewar should be proud to have her… And I am not saying this because I…” He stopped to check himself as he watched the crowd for a reaction.

“He is right, Hansa Baiji.” Sajja Bai walked in, followed by Jaivanta Bai, “Whatever Ranaji decides, it’s his decision, but to us, she is a miracle, isn’t it, Jija?” Jaivanta Bai nodded as Hansa Bai sobbed in guilt for slapping her. Kunwar Pratap made his way out of the room and towards Ajabdeh’s.

The knock made her sit up.

“It’s me.” He said softly.

“Please…I….” She sobbed.

“If you don’t open the door, you know I can come in if I want to, Ajabdeh.” He smiled, a little teary. The nob turned, and she stood there.

“Have you eaten?” She shook her head.

“I brought your favourite Kairi.” He showed her the bunch.

“Kunwarsa…” She looked up in tears as he wiped them away. “Not now. We will see what happens later. Right now, my Ajab will have Kairi with me?” She nodded as he managed a smile and made her sit down on the couch.

They shared the Kairi in silence, lost in thoughts and insecurities as his hand travelled to hers, and held it firmly, looking away. Someone else saw them too, as he smiled to himself and walked away. He left her hand to go as she held it again, more firmly. He stopped getting up and sat back on the couch.

“Ajabdeh, no matter what, I am yours. Remember that and never kill the Baijilal in you. You are not wrong. We are not wrong.” He made her smile again as she nodded, watching him leave, as he turned back again and again.

Hansa Bai walked into the room as she sat reading the Gita. Seeing her mother, she rose up and stared away in silence. Hansa Bai smiled with teary eyes before hugging her daughter, making her sob again.

“Look who is here.” She wiped away her daughter’s tears as they stared at the door, and Raoji entered.

“Ajabdeh… “ Raoji placed his hand on her head. “ I am proud of you. I am proud that you are my daughter, and I regret that I always wanted a son. You did what even sons don’t. You tried to help me, and I misunderstood you. I am sorry…”

“No Daata No.” She hugged her father and then her siblings as Balwant said, “Teach me some skills, will you?” Making Ratan giggle. She whispered, “Thank you, Kunwarsa.” As she saw her parents hug her siblings.