Skip to main content

Responsibilities

"Suno! Suno! Suno!
Rana Udai Singh has Surtan Singh captured. Kunwar Pratap Singh, our crown prince is marrying Rajkumari Ajabde 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 the good news.

That night, when a group of goons attacked a village, Sakhaveer appeared alone and scared 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 Ajabde stared at her. "Who is this Sakhaveer?" Everyone present in the dining hall had the same question. 
"Majhli Maasa." Kunwar Pratap interrupted as Ajabde looked away.
"Sakhaveer and Baijilal are no two persons, they are the thoughts and ideals of a true Rajput, anyone can be Sakhaveer." Ajabde 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 Ajabde.

As Ajabde turned off the last lights in her room, a knock at the door made her frown. She opened it to go wide eyes as he stood smiling. 
"Kunwarsa! But..."
"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..."
"Sakhaveer can handle anyone alone." He teased with a vain smile that made Ajabde frown.
"Ohh 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." Ajabde was about to shut her door when his hands stopped her.
"What?" She fumed. "Now what?"
"Ajabde." He chuckled. "You are so easily miffed by me."
"No, I am not!" She protested rubbing her hands together realizing 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 pulled a lock of hair away from her face with a smile as her heart skipped a beat then walked away.

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 awkward 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... In the palace." He looked awkward spelling out the last words.
"What? In the palace?" Kunwar Pratap looked bothered.
"That is not all. I was ... out..."
"Tell everything clearly Patta!"
"Surtan Singh is in the Mewar Jungles itself. Some people apparently spotted a man matching his ..."
"We need to go." Kunwar Pratap took his sword. Patta looked surprised.
"But... your tilak?" He feared.
"Listen to me very carefully." Kunwar Pratap held his shoulders firmly.

"Jija." Ratan walked in and declared "Ekanth." Ajabde was putting on her jewellery when she frowned at Ratan's serious face.
"What happened?" She asked.
"Woh... I overheard Patta and Kunwarsa...."

"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."
SajjaBai walked across the corridor to Ajabde's closed door.
"Ji?" Ratan asked with a pale face.
"Ajabde?"
"I am bringing her down in... umm...." 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. 
"Did you see them?" She asked immediately.
"No, the door was...." Jaivanta Bai's eyes went wide.

"What happened? Why are we all here?" Raoji asked surprised as Dheerbai 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 Ratana 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," 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," Dheerbai spoke up. "A bride is doing this on her wedding if anyone knows, the family names...."
"Dheerbai ji." Udai Singh interrupted. "Kunwar Pratap went first I guess. He is the more stubborn one. He could tell me, we have an army."
" Shama Hukum," Patta spoke up. "He said he could trust no one as somebody helped him escape. Somebody our own. From the palace." As he spoke the last line he stared coldly at Dheerbai ji making her heart skip a beat. What did this kid know?

"Sakhaveer." Her call made him stop midway in the 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."
"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 a head.
"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 loud." 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 tila 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." 

They kept their horses a few feet away and stealthily moved towards the cave opening. They spotted two men in commoner's attires 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 holding three soldiers at bay 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 breathed his last.
"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...."
"Speak Up!" He fumed. Baijilal put her hand on his shoulder. 
"Let go, Sakhaveer, He is dying!" She insisted.
"Say!" He seemed miffed.
"Dhee ... Dhee..." Surtan breathed his last as Sakhaveer got up wide-eyed. Baijilal looked at his eyes for a reaction. They were calm.
"I need to go tell Daaji..." He turned around to walk as she 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. 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 to 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. Ajabde gave a cold stare at 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 "Don't."
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 Ajabde'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 Ajabde 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 Ajabde 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 Ajabde who looked utterly confused at a hall full of people staring at her. Kunwar Pratap stood with the sword smiling as she approached him.

“Ajabde.” 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 smiles as he handed her the sword. Holding both ends together they stared at the idol of Maa Bhavani.

“ We promise. To Protect. And Honor.” They stared at each other with content smiles.


READ CHAPTERS HERE
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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 ...
8 comments
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Four

The group of youth provided by the Pradhan proved efficient for Aniruddha’s liking as they helped him survey the villages, create a set of data and provide a rough idea of how much fund was needed to rebuild the roofs and fallen walls. “What if we make them permanent? That way, the next cyclone will cause less damage. Pakka houses may also get other facilities like toilets and…” Aniruddha suggested as his eyes shone in the flickering light of the dimly lit kerosene lamp in the living room of Pradhan’s house. Drops of perspiration had formed on his forehead in the load-shedding, and the mosquitoes buzzed around them. For the first two nights, Aniruddha could barely sleep in the unfamiliar surroundings with buzzing insects, sounds of the unknown, and eerie animals here and there at a distance. Stories of snakes climbing up to the second floor through windows despite the mosquito net protecting his four-poster bed kept him alarmed. By the third day, after a day’s survey through the villag...
Post a Comment
Read More

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...
6 comments
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Six

Kalindi waited outside the hut, on the torn mat they usually slept on, using the hand fan to drive away mosquitoes as she stared at the empty path leading out of the house, the path Bondita had taken some time back. It was almost an hour. Did the foolish girl escape or land in trouble? To her relief, she could hear her nephew snoring away indoors, reassuring her that they were at least not caught by the villagers till now. She was sure Bondita would return empty-handed and hurt, and that she would have no other way than to accept the proposal from the Pradhan. That morning, her Kaka would accompany Sarkar Moshai to the adjacent village to talk to a family friend of the Sarkars. They were looking for a bride for their sixteen-year-old eldest son, who worked as a labourer in Sealdah. Kalindi had tears in her eyes. Not much had changed in these years; not much of women’s fate was different, wasn't it? Kalindi was about ten years old when her father took her to the Roy Chowdhury house ...
Post a Comment
Read More

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...
Post a Comment
Read More

She Left...

The war was over and so were the hopes of regaining Chittor. The Battle at Haldighati had robbed the Rana of all his wealth, and brave men, and bruised him for life. Trying to match up to Akbar or rather Raja Man Singh's army with one-third its strength had cost his bravery dearly. He had lost his friend and companion. He had brushed past death. The only good thing that this war ensured was that Akbar accepted that he cannot have Mewar. His army retreated and left the country in peace after almost two decades and seventeen wars. This war gave something else too. Kunwar Shakti came to help his brother in his time of need. He lived up to his brother's expectations of being loyal to his family. A heavy-hearted Rana Pratap Singh was overseeing the construction work on his lost friend's memorial right where he died, trying to save his master. The Bronze statue of the life-like Chetak stood tall but was no match for the void Chetak has left behind. He was lost in his thoughts as ...
5 comments
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Five

Aniruddha finished reading the book he had carried with him in the dim light of the bulb in his room and decided to pack it away. He was leaving in a few days and wanted to make sure he left nothing behind. The construction work on the school had started, and the Panchayat wanted to give him a thankful farewell he humbly refused. The spotlight should be on Trilochon to help with his next election campaign. Aniruddha did not want to associate himself with the party or the job. He contemplated going back home and telling his father that he had decided to pursue a career in India instead of his initial plan of going back to London. He had been giving it a thought for quite some time, and the day he said it out loud to Bondita, he knew in his subconscious mind he had already decided on it. The more he saw the village, the more sure he was that he was needed by his countrymen. Dadu put faith in him that he could be part of something bigger than himself and his career, and he intended to kee...
Post a Comment
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Eight

“ Choto Babu Eshe Gechen ”  Bihari rushed out to the portico, announcing Aniruddha’s arrival as Batuk rushed out behind him to welcome his brother. But he stopped at the threshold, realising that Dadabhai was not alone. Being an introvert, Batuk did not quite like guests, especially those he did not know. He knew the drill. Soon, his father or uncle would summon him to the living room and praise his piano skills until he was asked to play. The only song he knew was “We Shall Overcome”, and the blind pride of his family completely missed the disappointment in the guest's faces and false praises. But these guests looked different. As the driver opened the car's back door, a girl, about his age and height, jumped out wearing a pair of plastic slippers and a shabby dress, her hair oiled and braided, eyes wide in astonishment at the enormity of their house. Behind her came a reluctant woman, her hair in streaks of grey, wearing a dirty white saree, with nothing but a bead garland on...
Post a Comment
Read More

Life and You

" Maharanisa! Maharanisa!" The maid-in-waiting ran through the quiet Rani Mahal as Jaivanta Bai, who was sitting in front of the Lord in her room ever since she was back, rushed out of her room, followed by Sajjabai and Veerbai. " What happened?" She asked, her voice calm, but her heart thumping. " Kunwarsa is here... with Kunwarani... She... She...." The maid sobbed as Jaivanta Bai rushed to the room. She stood at the door as her eyes could not believe what she saw. Kunwar Pratap was soaked in her blood as he laid her down on the bed, shouting, " Quick. Rajvaidya..." His eyes stopped at the door as Jaivanta Bai rushed to be beside the unconscious Ajabdeh. The Daasis and Sevaks were running about soon enough. Sajja Bai gasped at the scene. So much blood. Kunwar Pratap had not noticed anything except her calm, unconscious face. Now that he noticed his blood-soaked hands, red, he stared at them as though in a trance. "Kunwar Pratap! Tell me w...
6 comments
Read More

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...
Post a Comment
Read More