Skip to main content

Oaths

By
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,” broke 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 answer them, Daajiraj.”
“ But how? We have no evidence.” He spoke up. 
Then stared at Jaivanta Bai, who smiled. “Unless…”
“Unless?” Kunwar Pratap looked up at his father’s face.
“Ajabdeh Baisa.” Udai Singh’s call made her heart beat louder.
“Ji Hukum.” She stepped forward, beside Kunwar Pratap as he carefully moved away.
“ What do you suggest?”  His question made Dheer Bai stare like a ghost while the others exchanged looks, and Kunwar Pratap smiled at his mother, who nodded.

“Me? I…” She looked scared, rubbing her hands together.
“All right, not you… But Baijilal?” Udai Singh smiled as she looked a little taken aback. "What would she suggest?"
“Baijilal would say, we catch them and take a confession out of them.” She said softly yet confidently.

“Then so be it.” Udai Singh smiled. “ Tomorrow night, Sakhaveer and Baijilal have a mission. And the day after, there is a Tilak.” Everyone smiled except the two and Dheerbai.
“Shama Kijiye Ranaji. I feel their strength is too much for two, especially when we need them alive for a confession.” Her thought amazed everyone as he agreed, “ I think we need Rana Kheta and his Bhils on this.”

Sajja Bai whispered to Jaivanta Bai, “ Look at these two, have they heard they have a tilak? They are stuck on the mission, Jija.”
“That’s our children, Mewar’s future.” Jaivanta Bai smiled proudly.
“Bhils? Why will they help?” Raoji asked.
“They owe Sakhaveer something.” He smiled. “We need a plan.”
“And men, to set up traps, dig ditches and evacuate a village overnight.” She added.
“Plan what you have to and let me know.” Udai Singh added.
“ I think the …” Kunwar Pratap started. Sajja Bai now interrupted the plans.
“Aree aree! Someone, please, talk about the wedding! I want new jewellery now. Jija!”
Everyone laughed as Kunwar Pratap and Ajabdeh blushed red. Everyone was happily planning the Tilak, but their mind were elsewhere. However, now there were new problems.

The next day, the palace was active and running. With the Tilak and everyone’s teasing, Kunwar Pratap and Ajabdeh decided to save some embarrassment and avoid each other throughout the day. Both wanted to talk about the mission, and both wanted the other to speak first. Their avoiding nature made Sajja Bai frown as she called Ratan to ask, “If they don’t talk, how will they make a plan?”
“I have an idea.” Ratan giggled.

“Ratan?” 
Ajabdeh looked around the stable and the backyard. Ratan was nowhere to be seen. She shrugged, confused, knowing her sister was mischievous and always up to something. But not today! 

Rawatji and his wife had arrived at the palace for the Tilak Rasm as her Mama. The Royals of Jalore, Maan Singh Songara and his wife were also here. With the news reaching Chittorgarh, most of the Royal family would be here by the time of the wedding. There were too many people in the palace to take care of and too much to do, and a mission to think about. But her sister dragged her out of the group of teasing ladies and urged her to wait there while she brought something. 
Ratan, this is no time for games!

A piece of paper flew to Kunwar Pratap’s feet. He picked it up and frowned. While the men discussed politics, he moved away and read it. 
Stable. 
He looked around with a frown and decided he had to go. It was not Ajabdeh’s writing for sure, but who was it?

Ajabdeh decided to utilise her waiting time. She patted her brown horse, who had now found a place proudly in Raoji’s stable and did not have to hide in Bhago’s backyard anymore. She removed some haystacks from the stable and started pouring water on her horse’s pale, humming a tune she had heard from a passing musicians' group.
“What are you doing here?” His voice made her frown as she turned to see him look up at the Jharokhas and to the other side of the backyard, alarmed.
“Sit down, Ratan, he will see you.” Sajja Bai pulled Ratan’s hand and hid in one of the Jharokhas.
“Ji? I am feeding my horse.” She looked confused.
“ No… I… someone told me to come here.” He frowned.
“Who?” She asked, raising her eyebrows. 
He shrugged as suddenly she remembered Ratan.
“It’s one of her pranks again.” Ajabdeh sighed worriedly. “When will she grow up?”
Kunwar Pratap smiled at her worry and said, “Waise… Ajabdeh Baisa, how can you be so partial?”
“Ji?” She frowned at his allegation.
“You are feeding him, what about my Sarang. Poor boy, he is standing there in the sun!”
“I…I…will…” She hurried across the stable, making him laugh. 
His laughter made her stop and turn.
“What?”
“How easily you believe in everything I say!”
“No, I don’t.” She rubbed her hands, annoyed. 
“I don’t!” He smiled as eyes met, and she said, “I should go.”
“What about the mission?” He was serious now.
“Meet me at the cowshed when everyone rests after lunch. Have you told the Bhils?” He nodded positively before leaving.

At lunch, the ladies urged Ajabdeh to make a dish. Instead of the Kheer, she chose to make the Ghevar for everyone. As the men sat to eat, the women waited behind the semi-transparent veils for the reaction. 
Sajja Bai was really scared about her achar. Udai Singh smiled as he tasted the dishes made by Jaivanta Bai and Sajja Bai.
“Majhli Maa’s achar… is always the best.” Kunwar Pratap smiled at his father.
“Jija didn’t make this kheer.” 
Balwant spoke up as Kunwar Pratap added, “No, my Ranima did.”
Ajabdeh was waiting eagerly to see his face when he tasted the Ghevar, but he showed no reaction, making her frown. He didn’t know I made them?

She was at the shed feeding Laxmi when he arrived in a hurry.
“ Ajabdeh…” He called with a smile.
“Laxmi, tell Kunwarsa to make the plans. I am listening. He will lead, so I have no word in this.” She didn’t look back at him.
“Laxmi, ask Ajabdeh why she wouldn’t participate in the planning?” He asked with a frown.
“Laxmi, tell him to first know me to get answers.” She replied plainly.
“I don’t know you?” He frowned.
“Laxmi, you know who made the Ghevar?”
“You?” Kunwar Pratap looked surprised. “Oh.”
“Oh?” She turned to point her finger at him as he stepped back, and she stepped forward.
“ Umm… Ajabdeh… it was…”
“Leave it, Kunwarsa, it's fine!” She turned around as he frowned.

“ She started the wife like Nakhre!!” He murmured.
“What did you say?” She narrowed her eyes and looked back at him. 
“Nothing… I… was thinking we need…” They resumed the planning.
“ You will wait and I will…” he spoke, pointing to the position.
“No, I will…” She protested. 
The plan was a satisfying one, and he smiled happily, and she smiled back.
“I will see you tonight, Baijilal.” He smiled, walking away.

Jalam Singh was a small Sena Nayak in the Marwar Army, but he wanted to be bigger. Too bad his brain was not as big a thinker. He and a bunch of 20 men dressed as goons arrived at the Mewari Village late at night. A frown appeared, seeing it empty. The deserted village had no people or riches. He had no idea where they had disappeared.
“Looking for something?” He turned his horse to see a warrior, on a brown horse, white-attired, face covered.
“ Now, who are you, Sarr Utha ke?” He asked, confused.
“Aree Hukum, this is Baijilal! The one who has a ransom on her if we catch her alive, and that other one too…” One of his soldiers informed.
“ Really? Prize money?” Jalam was delighted. “That means if we take her away too, Udai Singh will go and ask for her?”
“ You are so intelligent, Hukum!” The soldier praised.

“You want to catch us?” A taunting voice from his left made him look at the Saviour on a dark horse.
“Sakhaveer!” The soldiers gasped.
“Get me more soldiers, let's catch them!” Jalam Singh was pleased. Today, he was going to please Rao Maldeo.
“ Let’s play a game, Jalam Singh.” Sakhaveer got down from his horse. Baijilal’s horse rose on two feet and neighed.
“Catch us if you can!” They spoke in unison before running off into the Jungle.
“Aree, they are escaping, let's catch them!” Jalam Singh ordered.
In the forest, Sakhaveer ran parallel to Baijilal’s horse.
“Faster," She ordered with a smile.
“You can’t beat me.” Sakhaveer smiled back.

Jalam Singh and his soldiers followed them to reach a clearing. They seemed to have disappeared into thin air. Suddenly, a rain of arrows surprised them. Their horses threw them off as the arrows made a railing around them. A fire arrow struck in the end and set the circle on fire.
“Help! Help! Somebody save me!” Jalam Singh was in tears, “I don’t want to die.”
The Bhils surrounded them from all sides. Rana Kheta came out with a smile.

The remaining group of soldiers was searching the forest for Jalam Singh in vain. Suddenly, out of nowhere, three men and horses fell into a newly dug ditch camouflaged with leaves and grasses. 
The rest started retreating as some got stuck in thorns, others in rope pits of trees, and the ones who ran were unlucky enough to face Baijilal and Sakhaveer. The swords swung with Jai Mewar as the soldiers fell at their feet.

They then made their way to where Kheta stood with the captured Jalam Singh. Dragging him by the collar, Sakhaveer pushed him to Rana Udai Singh’s feet at the secret Khema they had set up. Rawatji, Raoji and Balwant were there too.

“ Who sent you?” Baijilal asked angrily.
“I won’t say!” Jalam Singh cried.
“Who sent you? Tell us!” Sakhaveer appeared calm. Silence followed.
“Then prepare to die.” She spoke as she raised her sword, and he started weeping, “Rao Maldeo did, Rao Maldeo!” 
A smile appeared in her eyes as she put down the sword.
“Soldiers take him away!” Udai Singh ordered.
Rana Kheta and the Bhils were preparing to leave when Sakhaveer came to them.
“Thank you for coming.” He said, hands folded.
“ We are always here when you call.” He replied, smiling.

“Baijilal,” Sakhaveer called her. “Meet Rana Kheta.” Baijilal bent down to touch his feet, taking the man and the Bhils by surprise.
“No, no, Baisa, what are you doing?”
“ A warrior taking the blessing to be as brave as another.” She replied as Sakhaveer stood proud.
“I am happy Mewar’s future is safe.” He smiled. “I wish I had a daughter like you.”
“ I have heard all Bhil women are braver. I hope to meet them someday.” 

She smiled as he took their leave. Rana Udai Singh had left with the prisoners, and the forest appeared peaceful.
“Let’s go home.” He gave her his hand. She took it, saying, “But first, we will go to Bijolia Lake. I want you to meet someone.”
“Who?” He asked, surprised. She smiled silently.

At the Bijolia Jheel, an 11-year-old boy stood clueless. 
His Jija had called upon him all the way from Kelwa. He remembered that after his father died in the Afghan battle, his mother had come to Bijolia hoping for a new start when Raoji and Hansa Kaki helped them like their own. His father was Raoji’s friend. 

He remembered the first time Jija met him and hugged him. He remembered saying his full name, “Fateh Pratap Singh.” Proudly and Jija lovingly said, “Fatta?”

With all these years, Fatta had now become Patta for everyone, and by God’s grace, when Udai Singh heard of them, he was appointed the next Rawat of Kelwa after his father. After all, Udai Singh was a distant uncle of his; he was family to the royals he never saw. 

To him, Jija was everything. She taught him life lessons, horse riding and weaponry. She taught him to love his motherland unconditionally. Right from when he was five and she was eight years old.
The sound of hooves made him turn, as he looked a little scared and wide-eyed at the approaching figure.

“ Jija?” He stared wide-eyed, fixed on Sakhaveer, who felt awkward.
“Patta.” She ran to hug him and then showed her face with a smile. “I am seeing you after such a long time!”
“ Is he really… Him?” Patta was starstruck, clearly as Sakhaveer approached.
“Yes, Sakhaveer meet Patta.” She smiled. He frowned a little.
“ My father was Fateh Singh, your distant uncle.” Patta tried hard not to fumble.
“ You are Fateh Kaka’s son?” His eyes widened. “And you know who I am…”
“Jija..” He pointed.
“I told him for a purpose. “ She smiled at Patta and then back at Sakhaveer.
“ What purpose?” Both asked in unison.
“Well, when I leave, and Sakhaveer too, someone needs to protect the borders and the people. He is who I chose.”
“Me?” Patta’s eyes widened. “Jija, how can I…”
“Patta.” She held his shoulders firmly. “ Bhai, I taught you everything, and you have your skills too. After all, you are a Sisodia Rajput.” She smiled at Sakhaveer.
“ If she trusts you, you are the one.” He nodded in approval.

“Can I… Hug You Sakhaveer?” The boy’s request made them laugh as Sakhaveer hugged the star-struck boy.
“You remember your oath?” Baijilal asked.
“Yes. To serve my motherland. My People. To Respect and Honour.” 
He said proudly as Sakhaveer stepped forward and gave him his sword. 
“Here, this is from me. To protect our mothers.” Patta looked at the sword like he didn’t believe his luck.

“One more thing….” Sakhaveer spoke up.
“I know. No one will know I am taking this responsibility. I will disguise myself as you.” He nodded.
“ I will see you soon.” Baijilal hugged him.
“Yes, at the wedding.” Patta smiled at the duo. 
“I promise you, Jija. When the time comes, I will always serve Mewar with my life and protect you and everyone you care for.”
Baijilal gave a smiling nod. They rode off into the night, while Patta stood looking at the sword in awe.





Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Purnota: Chapter Thirty One

By
“Please, Sir, we were going to show the evacuation notice to the lawyer.” The older man with a salt and pepper beard and a bald head pleaded with the Judiciary official, who handed him a paper of illegal occupancy. The NGO stood on the ground of the property that belonged to the Bhowmicks. Their lawyer, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, had sent a notice of warning and evacuation that the NGO did not pay heed to. The man in charge looked least concerned at the plea of the older man. His hands were folded, eyes teary, as the men who came with the Bull Dozer to knock down the one-storey house with thatched roof broke down the board of the NGO.  “Why did you not show the notice then?” The man rebuked in a gruff voice. “Because we thought it was some mistake.” Another man, relatively younger and calmer, came forward from the crowd that stood there watching as he spoke. “We got the land as a gift from Mr. Bhowmick some eleven years back to make the school for the orphans.” “Then where is the dee...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Two

By
Bondita got down from the local train with a duffle bag and her hoodie tied around the waist of her dark green Kurti, which she teamed with white leggings and a white dupatta. The weather at Canning seemed hotter and humid than Chandannagar, and at first glance, Bondita spotted the spring blooms of Krishnachura painting the tree at the station red. She picked up her bag and looked around the crowded station. Someone was supposed to come and get her. She dragged her bag through the crowd and finally reached the gates. The rickshaws, vans and small autos were shouting out names of different places, names that appeared like images in her memories. “Bondita Malkin?” She turned to see a woman in a checked printed saree worn above the ankle with a Ghomta over her head and the Anchol tied to her waist. Bondita nodded as the woman in her forties surprised her by touching her feet. Bondita jolted away in shock. “What are you doing?” She asked with raised brows as the woman took her duffel bag. ...
Read More

My Everything

By
Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda amidst uncertainty and chaos. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rawat Chundawat, and some other chieftains stopped the ongoing Raj Tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani hadn't expected Kunwar Pratap to show up, that too, despite her conveying to him his father's last wish of crowning Kunwar Jagmal. Twenty-one days after Udai Singh's death, she was finally close to a dream she had dared to dream since Jagmal was born. He was not informed about the Raj Tilak as per Dheerbai's instructions. She eyed Rawat Ji. He must have assembled the chiefs to this revolt against her son, against the dead king. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing, Chotima?" A disappointed voice was directed at her. She could stoop down so low? For the first time, an anger...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Three

By
Aniruddha stepped out of his room, in a wrinkled Kurta, with a towel and toothbrush, to almost bump into Bondita, who was hurrying out of her room, trying to wear her watch on the go. He stopped before she barged into him and spotted her in one of Thamma’s Dhakai sarees. It was a white-on-white saree she had worn with a quarter-sleeved black blouse. Her hair was bunned with a claw clip, and she wore a small black Teep complementing her Kajol-drawn eyes. She looked slightly startled as she stopped at his dishevelled appearance and looked away at his stare. “Why are you…” He cleared his throat to do away with his morning groggy voice, “Dressed up?” Bondita shook her head at his words. “Because I have camp today, the NGO representative is waiting downstairs.” At her words, Aniruddha nodded and promptly held her wrist to check her watch. Bondita eyed his index finger and thumb, briefly brushing around her wrist as he suppressed a yawn. “But… It's 7 AM.” Bondita smiled, amused at his wo...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Six

By
Bondita opened her door in the usual hours of the morning and found Thamma and Jyatha Moshai on the couch in their living room, sipping tea. She had half sat on her bed, leaning against the pillow all night, imagining her plight when she faced Aniruddha in the morning. What if he did not think of it as much as she thought of his actions? What if that was his uncomfortable way of comforting her because she was upset? But what about his eyes, his gestures? Had she misread all of it? Bondita blushed to herself the moment she remembered how his eyes followed her around for the past two days. Bondita was hurrying through her daily chores, eyeing the clock, for she would be late for work and overheard Trilochon lament about things not changing since Binoy left. He thought that things were getting better at home, but as soon as Aniruddha had left for Sunderban, Binoy informed him that he had changed the attorney in charge of his case. Bondita frowned slightly as her hand stopped at wearing th...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Five

By
“The bride is older than the groom.” Aniruddha heard one of the older villagers speak in a judgmental tone. “No wonder the higher castes don’t attend such atrocities.” He eyed the younger man he was talking to, who smiled. Aniruddha was sitting beside them on a bench in the open courtyard of a house where the wedding rituals were taking place. Tirio and Tumdak were playing rhythmically in a corner as some women danced to the tunes surrounding the new bride and groom. The men sat on the other side of the courtyard.  “Forget about the Brahmins, we don’t expect them to come.” The younger man shook his head. “As for traditions, what is wrong if the bride is older?” He smiled sheepishly at the older man. “What’s wrong? Everything. Master Moshai, you can be educated, but our ancient traditions have reasons. The groom must be older than the bride. It has some reason.” He shook his head. The teacher, in turn, educated the man that it was a perfectly normal Santhali ritual to marry older wo...
Read More

Scheme of Things

By
The ousting of Shams Khan and his troops from Chittorgarh earned Kunwar Partap Singh overnight fame across the land as tales of his bravery made their way through the dunes and hills, across rivers and borders to lands far and beyond. At thirteen, he had commanded an army troop to take over the fort of Chittorgarh and restore Mewar’s borders to their former glory. People started comparing him to his forefathers, the great Rana Kumbha, who built forts across Mewar and his grandfather, Rana Sanga, who had united all Rajputs against external threats. As bards sang praises of the prince, gossip soon followed. Gossip was the most entertaining one could get in the mundane city lives and village gatherings, and it often travelled faster than the fastest Marwadi horse. So alongside the tales of his absolute bravery and how he hoisted the Mewari flag on the fort, were the stories of how his life was in danger, the king and queen did not quite get along and how he was made to live in poverty by ...
Read More

Happy Ending

By
Dheer had a sleepless night. Yes, she had killed the Maharani, but to seek revenge for her son. Jagmal was all she had for a dream, and Rana Pratap's first decision was to banish him. He had never been that tough with his other brothers who went with Akbar, then why him? Just because he wanted to be a king? Just because they brought a false letter and bought a few witnesses? Her son died in Ajmer, so young. And she had always blamed Ajabdeh Punwar for Rana's hard decision. After all, ever since she came as a support for Jaivanta Bai, she had been like his shield, even though creating misunderstandings didn't help Dheer Bai Bhatiyani. Ajabdeh had done the impossible, showing him the real face of his Chotima. What bothered Dheer now was whether he remembered anything, and most importantly, if she did. Dheer had turned pale at the song and smile Pratap gave, but if he knew she had killed Ajabdeh, it meant Survi remembered her walking to a dying Ajabdeh and confessing that ...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Four

By
“You are cheating, he can’t play!” Bondita was attracted by the commotion downstairs as she opened the window of her room. She walked out to the balcony to inspect it. It was Sunday, and Padma had promised to make Chicken Curry, knowing Bondita had invited Tapur to join them for lunch. In the courtyard was a group of boys, probably Sidhu’s friends, with a broken pipe for a bat, a wooden plank for a wicket kept between two bricks and a rubber ball, arguing over a game of cricket. Bondita’s eyes stopped at Aniruddha, marking a line with chalk and then measuring feet using steps to mark the boundaries. Bondita looked amused at the sight. “Batuk. You went out fair and square; give me the bat.” Bondita put her hands on her waist as she commanded. Batuk refused to part with his new bat. Som frowned at his brother. “She is right; it was a clean bowl. Give her the bat!” Som commanded. “I was not ready.” Batuk shook his head. “She knew that.” “It's still out.” Bondita frowned. Aniruddha wal...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Seven

By
“Why will Bondita not come for Holi?” Asha asked as she inspected the colours, Abir, Pichkiri and balloons Somnath had ordered from Baro Bazaar. He shrugged. “She is scared of colours, I think.” Asha smiled, a little amused at her clueless husband. “She is not ten anymore.” He looked up at her words with a sheepish smile, “Well, I never saw her play Holi, perhaps Dadabhai knows the reason.” Asha contemplated her husband’s words. She did not share a relationship with Aniruddha frank enough for him to share things about Bondita. It would be easier for her to ask Bondita instead. “If you wish for her to come,” Som said, like he could almost read her mind, “Perhaps you can invite her. She won’t say no to you.” Asha nodded. “It will be good to have the whole family together. It's not been so since the wedding.” She smiled. Som agreed as he matched the list with the things. “Yes, and Baba will be coming too, he told me not to tell Jethu, but I was surprised by that.” “Maybe because he an...
Read More