Oaths

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.