Skip to main content

Responsibilities

By
"Suno! Suno! Suno!
Kunwar Pratap Singh, our crown prince, is marrying Rajkumari Ajabdeh Baisa of Bijolia this week. And in this happy event, Sakhaveer and Baijilal, being our saviours, have been declared heroes of the state by Ranaji for helping capture Jalam Singh. Suno! Suno! Suno!
The messengers went around Mewar, rolling the drums as people rejoiced in the good news.

That night, when a group of goons attacked a village, Sakhaveer appeared alone and managed to scare them away. As the news reached the palace, a proud sister smiled. Sajja Bai looked confused.
"But Kunwarsa was here." She said aloud as Jaivanta Bai and Ajabdeh stared at her. "Who is this Sakhaveer?" Everyone present in the dining hall had the same question. 
"Majhli Maasa." Kunwar Pratap interrupted.
"Sakhaveer and Baijilal are no two persons; they are the thoughts and ideals of a true Rajput. Anyone can be Sakhaveer." Ajabdeh nodded approval as everyone smiled at the thought.
"Waise, Kunwar Pratap." Udai Singh smiled. "Something tells me you know this Sakhaveer." Kunwar Pratap just smiled at his father, and then back at Ajabdeh, who smiled and looked away.

As Ajabdeh turned off the last lights in her room, a knock at the door made her frown. She opened it to go wide-eyed as he stood smiling. 
"Kunwarsa! But..." She looked alarmed at the empty corridor behind him.
"You chose right." He smiled proudly.
"What?" She asked cluelessly.
"Patta, he is..."
"Perfect for the role, I know." She smiled. "But... he is alone..." She sounded worried.
"Sakhaveer can handle anyone alone." He teased with a proud smile that made Ajabdeh narrow her brows.
"Oh, really? Baijilal was never needed?" She asked, clearly displeased.
"No, I guess not." He shrugged, hiding a smile, seeing her fume.
"Then... Then.... what was Baijilal doing?" She asked.
"Umm... following Sakhaveer?" He questioned.
"Wha... No... I... Baijilal doesn't follow anyone! It was you who came after me that ..." She protested.
" I went to save Mewar." He shrugged again.
"Fine! Baijilal was never needed." Ajabdeh was about to shut her door when his hands stopped her.
"What?" She fumed. "Now what?"
"Ajabdeh." He chuckled. "You are so easily miffed by me."
"No, I am not!" She protested, rubbing her hands together, realising he was teasing. " I am... Subhratri..."
"Wait!" He held her hand as she looked nervously at the empty corridor.
"Sakhaveer always needs his Baijilal with him." He smiled as his eyes teased her. "Remember that!" He pushed a lock of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear with a smile as her heart skipped a beat, then walked away, leaving Ajabdeh a little flustered at her threshold.

The dawn in Mewar arrived with the Bijolia Palace decked up for the wedding. Flowers, drapes and lamps were everywhere, and guests arrived from all over Rajputana. The Tilak was to be done, followed by the wedding. Kunwar Pratap was in his chambers getting ready for the Tilak when a Sevak walked in. "A boy is here to meet you." He said at the threshold.
"Boy?" Kunwar Pratap asked, surprised.
"Yes. He says he needs to talk urgently." 
Patta! "Send him in."

Patta arrived a little awkwardly and tensed as Kunwar Pratap ordered, "Ekanth."
"Kunwarsa. There is bad news." He looked anxious. "I don't think you know this... Ranaji had instructed not to tell..."
"What is it, Patta?" He frowned.
"Surtan had escaped."
"He has what?" He looked wide-eyed. "How?"
"Someone helped him. Someone... from the palace." He looked awkward spelling out the last words.
"What? From the palace?" Kunwar Pratap looked bothered.
"That is not all. I was ... out..." He sounded unsure.
"Tell everything clearly, Patta!" Kunwar Pratap ordered.
"Surtan Singh is in the Bhimlat jungles itself. Some people apparently spotted a man matching his ..." Patta frowned. "He may try to escape to Bundi, and if he does, he will be beyond our reach. The talks with Bundi to hand him over could turn futile."
"We need to go." Kunwar Pratap took his sword. Patta looked surprised.
"But... your wedding rituals?" He feared.
"Listen to me very carefully." Kunwar Pratap held his shoulders firmly.
"Jija." Ratan walked in and declared, "Ekanth." Ajabdeh was putting on her jewellery when she frowned at Ratan's serious face.
"What happened?" She asked.
"Woh...Patta is here, did he see you?" Ajabdeh shook her head and asked where Ratan saw him. Kunwar Pratap's mention made her narrow her brows in worry as Ratan sat by her and whispered, "I thought it had something to do with Sakhaveer, so I... Listened."
"Ratan." Ajabdeh gasped at her sister's audacity as she shrugged. "What? Someone had to tell Baijilal, and I think they wouldn't." She shook her head. Ajabdeh grew worried and also disappointed at being kept on loop by both Kunwar Pratap and Patta. 
"I overheard Patta and Kunwarsa...." Ratan inhaled. "I think you should know this."

"Someone call Kunwarsa to meet the guests," Ranaji instructed in the Baithak as Sajja Bai ji got up. She knocked at the closed door, and Patta gulped nervously. Another knock and he answered, "Kunwarsa is getting ready."
"Tell him people are waiting." She insisted.
Sajja Bai walked across the corridor to Ajabdeh's closed door.
"Ji?" Ratan asked with a pale face.
"Ajabdeh?" Sajja Bai sounded unsure.
"I am bringing her down in... umm.... once she is ready." She was nervous. Jija! Come back fast!

Sajja Bai walked into the Baithak to sit beside Jaivanta Bai.
"Pratap?" She asked.
"Woh... both are... getting ready." Jaivanta Bai frowned at her words slightly. 
"Did you see them?" She asked immediately.
"No, the door was...." Jaivanta Bai's eyes went wide. She had heard about Surtan and instructed everyone to not tell Kunwar Pratap, fearing just this.

"What happened? Why are we all here?" Raoji asked, surprised as Dheer Bai smiled.
"Where are the bride and groom, Raoji?" Her question made Udai Singh look at Jaivanta Bai, who looked away.
"What do you mean, Dheer Bai ji?" Ranaji asked. Sajja Bai and Hansa Bai looked scared as Balwant dragged a scared Ratan and a nervous Patta by the hands into the room. 
"Tell them." Dheerbai looked at Ratan.
"Woh... Woh..." She gulped.
"Sakhaveer and Baijilal went to capture Surtan Singh," Patta said without a pause.
"What? " Everyone looked at the duo in shock.
"Ratan, why didn't you stop her?" Hansa scolded.
"Well, your daughter is so stubborn she never listens, maybe," Dheer Bai spoke up. "A bride is doing this on her wedding if anyone knows, the family names...."
"Dheer Bai ji." Udai Singh interrupted. "Kunwar Pratap went first, I guess. He is the more stubborn one. He could tell me, we have an army. Ajabdeh must have followed him, like a true Rajputani should follow her man into danger."
" Shama Hukum," Patta spoke up. "He said he could trust no one, as somebody helped Surtan escape. Somebody of our own. From the palace." As he spoke the last line, he stared coldly at Dheer Bai ji, making her heart skip a beat. What did this kid know?

"Sakhaveer." Her call made him stop in the foliage of the deep jungle. He turned back wide-eyed to see Baijilal on her brown horse. 
"Baijilal is not needed?" She fumed.
"Aja... Baijilal! What are you doing here? They will search for you." He sounded alarmed.
"And they won't for you?" She taunted.
"I put Patta on..."
"I have Ratan, let's move." She rode ahead as he followed with a shake of his head. "We'd better get him before our enemies do."
"Who gave you this news?" He whispered, looking around.
"Next time, make sure no one is at the closed doors, and don't speak so loudly." She smiled faintly.
"I will remember that for sure." He murmured.
"Where are we headed?" She asked.
"Well, your spies didn't tell you that?" He teased.
"My brother told you, so tell me!" She ordered. 
"Do you know who you are ordering?" He frowned.
"Yes! My...." She stopped to check herself.
"Your?" A teasing smile she could read in his eyes made her blush.
"Where are we headed?" She asked seriously.
"There is a small cliff across the lake. He is there, in a cave. Patta saw him sneak in, with about twenty soldiers."
"Why didn't he attack?" She frowned.
"Don't get so hard on him." He spoke softly. "He is a beginner. He did the best he could." 

They kept their horses a few feet away and stealthily moved towards the cave opening. They spotted two men in commoners' attire at the mouth of the cave.
"They have daggers." She whispered.
"Bundi soldiers," he added. With an approving nod to each other, they attacked. 
Baijilal was engaging three soldiers when she saw Surtan move to Sakhaveer's back as he engaged in war with two more.
"Look out!" She shouted as he turned and slayed Surtan across his chest. The soldiers ran. Sakhaveer held Surtan's head as he tried to escape one last time.
"Tell me who helped you. Tell me who told you about Maharanisa being in Bijolia and who helped you escape." Kunwar Pratap needed to know the traitor.
"Mah... Maha...." He gasped for breath.
"Speak Up!" He fumed. Baijilal put her hand on his shoulder. 
"Let go, Sakhaveer. He is dying!" She insisted.
"Speak!" He seemed miffed.
"Dhee ... Dhee..." Surtan breathed his last as Sakhaveer got up wide-eyed. Baijilal looked worried at him.
"I need to go tell Daaji..." He turned around to walk as she remembered Jaivanta Bai's words and shouted, "Stop." He looked back at her, surprised.
"Don't!" She said calmly.
"What?" He looked surprised.
"Don't! We have no proof; a dying enemy's words are not proof enough." She looked at Surtan lying cold. He knew she was right.
"Besides..." She added. " We will need her for talks with Marwar. Don't forget Jalam Singh." She reminded him as he nodded.
"You always think ahead." He praised as eyes met.
"Let's go back before anyone finds out that we are missing." She spoke up as he approved.

"A traitor amongst us?" Raoji asked, surprised. "What are you saying, Patta?"
"I am saying right, Raoji. Someone let Surtan know Maharanisa was in Bijolia when Jija saved them. How did they know when no one except the Royals did? How did he escape?" Patta spoke up as everyone approved.
"Listen to me. From today onward, Baijilal, Sakhaveer, Kunwar Shakti, and Kunwar Pratap, everyone will only report directly to me. No one else. Is that clear?" Ranaji spoke up. " And no discussions will take place anywhere except the strategy room under guards."

"Climb up." Kunwar Pratap held the drapes he used as a rope as she nodded, he looked around to keep an eye as she climbed up and into the room through the open balcony. Stepping into the room, Baijilal froze wide-eyed. Kunwar Pratap climbed up the rope and jumped into the room, saying, "I don't think anyone..." with a smile, but soon it faded as he looked at the crowd in front of him. Then at her. 

"Welcome back, Sakhaveer and Baijilal." Balwant hid a smile as they looked at each other through the corner of their eyes. In the room were Ranaji, Raoji, Jaivanta Bai, Sajja Bai, Patta and Ratan with Balwant. Ajabdeh gave a cold stare to Ratan. She looked nervous. 
"What's the news?" Ranaji asked as they looked up.
"Surtan is dead," Sakhaveer answered. "And he said there is someone who helped him." He shot a glance at Baijilal, who softly nodded, "Someone very close to the family." Ranaji looked disturbed. 

"All right, my saviours. Now that the work is done, can we get back to the rituals?" Jaivanta Bai smiled as she stepped forward to take Ajabdeh's hand. 
"And can we expect that the bride and groom will arrive at the wedding on time and not go on a rescue mission?" Sajjabai teased and smiled.
"Yes." He looked away awkwardly as she blushed.
"Let's take her for the Puja jija." Sajjabai smiled as Jaivanta approved.

The Golden Sword was in the Puja room when Ajabdeh appeared elegant in her bridal orange lehenga and the traditional jewellery gifted by Jaivanta Bai. She folded her hands while the Rajpurohit did the Bhavani Puja.
“Jai Bhavani.” 
The ladies folded their hands as Ajabdeh took the sword and looked up at the idol.
“Let this sword protect my motherland.” She whispered a prayer.
“Say protect me, that’s the rule," Dheerbai interrupted.
“Chotima, if it protects Mewar, then I will be protected too.” Her words made everyone smile.
She gave the sword to Rawatji and made a slow exit until she would be called again.

Kunwar Pratap walked in, dressed in a royal golden and orange sherwani. Rawatji was instructed to give him the sword.
“Kunwarsa, accept this for the Tilak.”
“But Rawatji, why is giving a sword necessary?” He asked curiously.
“ Because you are a Rajput.” Jaivanta Bai explained. “ Because you will protect your motherland and her honour with the sword.”
“If that’s the reason, then I have no right to receive this alone, Ranima.” He smiled. 

Udai Singh nodded as Sajja Bai went to bring Ajabdeh, who looked utterly confused at a hall full of people staring at her. Kunwar Pratap stood with the sword, smiling as she approached him.

“Ajabdeh.” Jaivanta Bai spoke up. “We want you to receive the sword on his behalf.”
“Me?” She asked, surprised.
“No. Baijilal.” Kunwar Pratap’s words made her and everyone smile as he handed her the sword. Holding both ends together, they stared at the idol of Maa Bhavani.
“ We promise. To Protect. And Honour.” They stared at each other with content smiles.





Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

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

Destiny

By
The war was almost won. A few of Marwar’s soldiers were left on the field along with Rao Maldeo Singh Rathore, their king and leader. He was thinking of retreating at the end of this day. As his sword clashed with one of the opponent generals as he eyed the opponent King now open and prone to attack. A little hope flickered in his mind as his eyes instructed his closest aide. The opponent was in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just sixteen, yet his bravery and valour reflected his blood and upbringing. He mesmerised the opponents and even Rao Maldeo with his clever war strategies and sword skills. As Maldeo’s aide swung his sword at a taken aback Udai Singh, someone’s sword defended it as his body acted like a shield for the king. He killed the man in one go. “ Ranaji, are you okay?” “ Haan Raoji.” He nodded gratefully.  By half the day, the Marwar army had retreated as the air filled with “ Jai Mewar! Jai Eklingji!” From the triumphant soldiers. Rana Udai ...
Read More

His Wife

By
" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabdeh looked visibly displeased at the ladies who ran around. " They are at the fort gates, and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red lehenga and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maasa Maasa... who is coming with Daajiraj?" His innocent question made her heart sink. " Bhanwar Ji." Sajja Bai called out to him. " Come here, I will tell you." Amar rushed to his Majhli Dadisa., " Ajabdeh." She turned at Jaivanta Bai's call. "They are here." " M... My Aarti thali..." Ajabde looked lost like never before. Jaivanta Bai held her stone-cold hands, making her stop. She patted her head and gave her a hug. The hug gave her the comfort she was looking for as her racing heart calmed down. Jaivanta Bai left her alone with her thaal. " Maa sa!" ...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Forty Four

By
Aniruddha tapped his black loafers on the Italian marble floor of the entrance as he eyed his watch.  It was almost half past five. He checked himself in the full-size mirror beside the coat hanger, looking fresh as he shaved and bathed, set his hair, chose a white summer blazer over his black shirt and trousers and abandoned the idea of a tie. He cleaned his glasses with the handkerchief, contemplating whether he should knock at Asha’s door, telling Bondita to hurry. He wondered what the women were doing there for such a long time. He could hear them giggling and gossiping as he walked past the room. He wondered what huge deal a party was that a woman needed another to help her dress up. He took out his phone and wondered if he should call her downstairs instead to avoid the awkwardness of knocking on the door. It was then that Aniruddha heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up in a reflex. He would give her a piece of his mind for wasting precious moments, especially when they...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Forty Three

By
Trilochon and Kalindi were having tea in the morning in their living room when Binoy walked downstairs in his Pajama Panjabi, pipe in hand and found them. Watching him unusually in his home attire, Trilochon frowned. “Are you sick? I thought you had already left.” Binoy sat down on the single chaise chair beside the couch as Kalindi poured some tea for him.  “ I told you, Dada, I am here to retire.” He said, putting his pipe in his pocket. “Today, Som is going alone. We will see how that goes.” Their conversation was interrupted by Asha coming into the house in a white and red saree, with a red sindoor Teep on her forehead. She had a basket with her, and Koeli was accompanying her as she offered them the sweets she had taken as Prasad. “Since it’s his first day at the new position, we went to the temple together.” Asha narrated to Kalindi. “He left for work from there.” “Do you not have school today?” Kalindi enquired as Asha shook her head. She smiled, eyeing Trilochon, who narra...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Forty One

By
Kalindi stood looking at the Ganga in the distance as Trilochon watched her. It was later in the night, and the stars were veiling the clear summer sky. A cool breeze blew from the Ganga, relaxing Kalindi’s restless heart as she took a stroll. Trilochon had spotted her in the garden from his balcony and walked up to her. She did not turn as he came up behind her and cleared his throat. “I apologise for storming off like that.” He was the first to speak. Kalindi inhaled. “Have you heard that she went to borrow a saree from Bouma to wear to some party?” Kalindi spoke rather monotonously.  “Yes, Bouma said so.” Trilochon cleared his throat. He left out the part where Asha enthusiastically told him about Bondita blushing and her idea of telling Bondita to confess her feelings. Instead, Trilochon added, “The senior is very influential. He can have some good contacts for Bondita. Perhaps enough for her to get a job in Kolkata, like you wanted.” Kalindi could hear through his unconvincing...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Forty

By
“ Ei Bondita,” Asha called her from the stairs as Bondita placed down some papers Aniruddha wanted from the office and was leaving the house. “Come up to my room.” She waved.  “ Aschi, Boudi.” Bondita walked up to her room, removing the waistcoat from over her Kurti. She sat down on the edge of Asha’s bed and closed the door. Bondita looked perplexed. “What… is wrong?” “Where is Dadabhai? Is he here?” Bondita shook her head. He was probably still working. “Sir.” The newly recruited junior knocked on the chamber door of Aniruddha’s office as he looked up from the screen. “Your father is here.” Aniruddha frowned a little at his words. Binoy never visited the office. He asked the man to bring him in. Binoy walked in, in a polo-necked navy blue t-shirt over a pair of beige pants, as Aniruddha observed him remove his glasses and look around. “What brought you here?” He enquired after waiting a little in vain for him to speak. “Just came by… for a chat.” Binoy sat down on the seat acros...
Read More

Towards You

By
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...
Read More

To Protect You

By
Kunwar Pratap was in the court with Rana Udai Singh. The Mughals were conquering a huge part of the north courtesy of Bairam Khan and Mewar on their routes to the ports of Surat. " Daajiraj, we need to secure the roads leading to Agra and also towards the west. The attack-prone areas should always be under surveillance." " Yes, Ranaji. Baojiraj is right." Rawatji agreed.   In the Rani Mahal, everyone was preparing for a grand lunch. Ajabdeh was making a drink for the princes and princesses, and in a hurry, she forgot to add the Kesar and Badam on top. As she served the smaller princes, including Kunwar Jagmal, Dheerbai came to inspect her eldest son's food. " What is this? Who made this? Kokoiaji?" She stormed to the kitchen with a bowl of sweet dishes.   " Kunwaranisa did." Came a scary answer, from Veer Bai. " Ajabdeh Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabdeh walke...
Read More

Embracing Truths

By
Rana Udai Singh had sent his Senapati Kunwar Partap back to Chittorgarh because Dungarpur had summoned them to the battlefield. How did a friendly visit culminate in a war? Rumours spread faster than wildfires in Mewar. Rana Udai Singh was attending a Mehfil where he liked one of the King’s best dancers. He wanted to take her back to Chittorgarh, and the king, who took pride in art, refused to part with his best dancer. Udai Singh, at the height of intoxication, abused the king, insulted his dynasty and almost forced the dancer girl to follow him, leading to an altercation. What he expected now was for Kunwar Partap to lead an army to Dungarpur, wage a war and force the king to apologise. Kunwar Partap was appalled by what he heard from the soldier. Could the Rana not understand that he could not make any more enemies? He asked his troops to prepare to leave and informed Raoji. Ajbante Kanwar ran down the corridor to her chambers as fast as she could. She did not care if anyone saw her...
Read More