Skip to main content

Oaths

Ajabde had never realized 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.
“Ajabde 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.
“ 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 many 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, 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 Ajabde blushed red. Everyone was happily planning the Tilak but their mind was 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 Ajabde 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?” 
Ajabde looked around the stable and the backyard. Ratan was nowhere there, 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 Jallore, 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 Ajabde’s writing for sure, but who was it?

Ajabde decided to utilize 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.” Ajabde sighed worriedly. “When will she grow up?”
Kunwar Pratap smiled at her worry and said “Waise… Ajabde 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 Ajabde 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.”

Ajabde 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.
“ Ajabde…” He called with a smile.
“Laxmi, tell Kunwarsa to do the plans, I am listening. He will lead so I have no word in this.” She didn’t look back at him.
“Laxmi, ask Ajabde 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. “Ohh.”
“Ohh?” She turned to point her hand to him as he stepped back, and she forward.
“ Umm… Ajabde… 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 big. 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 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 Savior on a dark horse.
“Sakhaveer!” The soldiers gasped.
“Get me more soldiers, let's catch them!” Jalam Singh ordered 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 send you?” Baijilal asked angrily.
“I won’t say!”
“Who send 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 know who you are, and 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 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 Sisodia.” 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 at 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. He is my brother. Actually yours.” She smiled. He frowned a little.
“ My father was Fateh Singh Sisodia, 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 Honor.” 
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 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.



READ CHAPTERS HERE

Popular posts from this blog

Purnota: Chapter Eleven

Bondita opened her window to find Thamma and Jyatha Moshai missing from the lawn. The chairs were empty. Was she sleeping till late? She checked the clock and shook her head. Taking the towel, she hurried towards the bathroom, countering Kalindi on the way. She was reading the newspaper with her rimless reading glasses on. “Umm… why are you here? Where is Jyatha Moshai?” Kalindi raised her eyes briefly and sighed without putting the paper away. Her lack of response puzzled Bondita as she made her way to take a bath. When she came out in a pair of jeans and a shirt, rolling her sleeves up, Kalindi observed her keenly. “Will you be going somewhere?” She enquired. Bondita nodded.  “Ah, yes, the District Office, some of my paperwork for the Bar Membership needs to be signed by a Gazetted Officer. Jyatha Moshai knows someone…” “Don’t go by their house… he is in a bad mood.” Kalindi placed some Chirer Polao in front of her and spoke as Bondita rubbed her wet hair with a frown. “Why?” “Oh...

Purnota: Chapter Thirteen

Aniruddha eyed Trilochon, sitting at the desk in his room, attending to some paperwork. His reading glasses were on his nose, and he appeared engrossed in a financial document. He stood at the threshold, a bit unsure and glanced over his shoulder at Somnath, Batuk and Bondita. She gestured at him to go on. Aniruddha cleared his throat. That prompted Trilochon to look away from his document at his nephew. “Jethu, if you are busy, I can come back…” He suggested unsurely. “Come in and close the door.” Trilochon glanced over Aniruddha’s shoulder at the others who walked away hurriedly. Aniruddha closed the door, and Bondita tiptoed to place her ears on it. Batuk and Somnath stood at a distance. “So you met her?” Trilochon spoke while cleaning his glasses. Aniruddha nodded. Somnath had introduced them to Ashalata. Bondita, Batuk, and he had met them in a Dhaba off the highway. Although Bondita did most of the talking, initiating a friendly gesture to put the nervous Ashalata at ease, he had...

Purnota: Chapter Twelve

Bondita woke up to the alarm clock ringing as she struggled to get her hand out of the quilt wrapped around her. She sat inside the mosquito net, rubbing her eyes and staring at the clock, trying to remember why she had set the alarm at 3.45 AM. Then her eyes shone in delight. It was Mahalaya. She remembered that during her days in Dehra, she had educated her roommate on the tradition of starting pujo with the voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra echoing through the air. She was uninterested, and Bondita had borrowed her headphones to hear the program and deeply missed home. She remembered that as a child, while her father was still alive, he would gently wake her up, and take her on his lap to the huge Banyan tree near the Panchayat where people gathered near the Pradhan’s radio, putting flower garlands and lamps around it and folding their hands as they heard Mahishashur Mardini killing the Asura. When she arrived in Kolkata to get her law degree, she thought things would be different. B...

You Deserve More

Ajabdeh woke up with the song of birds as she felt something warm on her hand. Her eyes went wide. Her hand was on the pillow in between them, between his hands, clasped as he slept. She thought of removing it slowly, but he was holding on to it so tightly. Ajabdeh's heart beat faster and faster. What do I do now? How do I not wake him? What if... why is my hand in his? She was utterly confused.   " Am I...In love?" Pratap was staring at the sleeping figure on the bed as he stared back at the rain. Then he frowned as he noticed that she shivered. He closed the windows of the room to make it cosy, then sat on his side of the bed. A lamp flickered on her side like always, and he stared at her sleeping figure as he put his blanket over her as well. She shifted a little in her sleep to make herself cosy again. Her payals and bangles made a rhythmic sound, breaking the silence of the room. Her hand was out of her blanket and on the pillow in between. He tried to slowly put it ...

Purnota: Chapter Ten

The rain clouds gave way to the scorching sun the following day as Bondita woke up as the first rays of the sun hit her face and disturbed her sleep. She cursed herself for keeping the window open and sat inside the mosquito net with a sleepy yawn. She eyed the alarm clock on her desk that said 6.30. Bondita scratched her head and pulled the mosquito net up to search for her slippers. She heard the bell ringing from Thamma’s room and the chanting of mantras. A smile came involuntarily to her lips as she realised that she might have come after ages, but everything in Chandannagar seemed to have been at a standstill. She grabbed the Kurti from the chair to change from the top she was wearing and wondered what she could do for the day. For the first time in a long time, she was free from the routine of boarding houses. Her eyes fell on the mess around her room since she had not unpacked the day before. Bondita decided to spend the morning unpacking her belongings. She opened the door of h...

Dreams and Wishes

At dawn, the Bhil women took the girls to the Kalika Mata Temple and the Jal Kund. Dressed in white, a nervous Heer followed everything Ajabde knew and did, trying to explain the significance of the rituals to her. They prayed to Lord Ganesh. Kunwar Shakti and Kunwar Pratap were staying at Punja Ji's place, as they were not supposed to see the brides before the wedding. Ajabde was dressed in her mother's lehenga, a mang tika Jaivanta Bai gave her as a family heirloom and the simple nosering Pratap had gifted. They made their hair into a simple bun with wildflowers before putting on their dupatta. Heer was dressed in traditional Bhil jewellery of silver and beads that the women had gifted her. They made her wear a red and white saree draped as a lehenga and a red chunri with it. She looked like a pretty, colourful Bhil bride. Kunwar Shakti was a nervous groom dressed in a traditional bhil dhoti, kurta and cap. The bhil shawl hung from a side, making the white attire colourf...

Purnota: Chapter Sixteen

It had been a month since Bondita had started working in the firm. With Somnath’s wedding date being set for winter, many things were keeping Trilochon and Kalindi busy as they took charge of the smooth running of things leading up to the wedding. They needed to shop for everyone, buy gifts and choose jewellery and sarees for the bride. Despite his attempts, Trilochon found Binoy reluctant to participate in his son’s wedding arrangements. Somnath took him and Kalindi to places they wanted to go, especially Kolkata for shopping, and Trilochon made arrangements to make sure that the first wedding of the generation was grand enough. Bondita tried to help as much as she could as she noticed Aniruddha being oddly aloof from the entire thing. She assumed it was due to Trilochon’s reactions to his lack of interest in marriage. Trilochon kept pestering her to enquire into his reasons while she kept stalling him with excuses. Bondita also failed to know more about Kalindi and Trilochon’s past, ...

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. His spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...

Confrontation

Maine kahan tha saath rahunga Banunga main tera saaya Par tere saath kuch kadam bhi Main nahi chal paya Bondita got out of bed and left the room before Aniruddha woke up. She went about her chores and decided to ignore his presence until she found herself a logical explanation for her impulsive behaviour, good enough for him to forgive her mistake. She made breakfast and told the cook to note down who preferred what for when she would leave. She waited in the kitchen long enough for the breakfast to be served by the house help and eaten. His routine was fixed. He would go to the study room and leave for work in half an hour. Then, she wouldn’t have to put up with this hide-and-seek till late afternoon or evening. But things rarely go as planned in life. “Bondita? Bouma!” Trilochan’s call made her shake her head. She pulled the ghomta above her head and walked out to the dining area. Eyes met briefly as she looked away and spoke to Trilochan as if dismissing his presence altogether....

Purnota: Chapter Fifteen

A week was all it took for Bondita to get used to work and the new routine. She would wake up early and hurry through her chores, helping Kalindi prepare a tiffin of either Chirer Polao or bread jam and then proceeding to the Roy Chowdhury house. She would arrange the day’s paperwork before Aniruddha arrived at the study room. Occasionally, she would hear him call out to Koeli for breakfast and pack her things, knowing he was almost ready to leave. He would walk into the chamber, check his list, and they would go to work. She would follow him from courtroom to courtroom. She would be sitting in the audience and learning. She would follow him to conferences and client meetings and take notes. They would discuss complicated cases. She would share the tiffin she brought from home. He would at first take a reluctant bite, then eat more than her. She often gave him her share of food discreetly. They usually stayed back after everyone was gone and ordered food for dinner. Some days, he woul...