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.
“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.