The evening arrived in all its grandeur as the small wedding party started dressing up. Hansa had specially brought a Sherwani for Shakti to wear. He was looking handsome in a gold and crème sherwani and a gold pagri. Jalal adjusted his pagri and exclaimed, “I still look more handsome than the groom.” Making the nervous Shakti smile. All the men were in different shades of Sherwanis. Jalal chose a plum Sherwani to match Rukaiya’s plum full-sleeve lehenga and Chaks, and Sau teamed in a lavender shade. Patta preferred the casual Kurta in Maroon. Jaivanta chose a pink and beige half-and-half saree, and Hansa a sky blue one with pink lining.
Ajabde was in a peach self-embroidered Lehenga and just a long earring, her hair flowing across her back, as she checked herself in the mirror. Brownie was sitting with a new blue bow he was flaunting, gifted by Pratap, much to her annoyance. She couldn’t say no to that. Brownie was as much his as he was hers. She made her way to Heer’s room as she stood still at the threshold, seeing her little sister in her wedding attire. The maangtika, kamarbandh, bangles, and nosering were all traditional Mewari jewellery her mother had left her. The wedding lehenga was made by Heer’s fashion designer friend, who was a wedding attire expert; it was a crème-based based golden and red, embroidered, elegant attire. Ajabde put the chunri over Heer’s head, as the stylists made a traditional braid on her long flowing hair. The sisters looked at each other through the mirror as Ajabde rubbed Heer’s stone-cold hands in hers.
“Am fine, Jija. I am.” She tried to reassure Ajabde. Ajabde nodded with a faint smile as the door opened, making her smile fade.
Pratap Singh had chosen a Royal blue bandh gala suit for his brother’s wedding, and the small guest list, which included Heer’s friends, was eyeing him in the downstairs hall. Ignoring the attention he was used to, he was more worried about Heer than Shakti and wanted to meet her before the wedding. As he opened the door, his eyes stopped on the other person, then the bride. As eyes met in the mirror, Ajabde looked away. He stared at Heer and smiled as she watched the duo.
“Choti.” She turned on her seat as he knelt before her. Ajabde’s hands left hers as he caught them “Are you…”
“Ohho, Dadabhai. I am fine. Please, you two, stop worrying. I feel guilty.”
His eyes travelled to hers and met briefly as he smiled. “I got something for you, Choti.”
He took out a box from his pocket and opened it. In the box was a toe ring, diamond-studded.
“Papa made two of these. he would have loved to give this to you today, but since he’s not here…” Heer took the box and smiled at him.
“Jija?” She stared at Ajabde, “Help me, please.”
Pratap moved away as she sat in his spot and put the toe ring on Heer’s toe. Pratap smiled at his sister. Ajabde got up as she remembered something and was walking out when Heer smiled at Pratap, asking, “Where is the other toe ring?”
“Ranima has that, I guess.” He smiled. “I hope… it finds its owner soon!”
Heer smiled as she looked at Ajabde, slowing her pace. With a frown, she walked away as Pratap smiled shyly at Heer’s indications, adding a soft “Hopefully soon.” That made Heer’s eyes beam with hope as Pratap patted her head.
Ajabde entered Shakti’s room, with the brooch in hand, as Jalal and Chaks stopped laughing at some silly joke and looked serious.
“Where is Patta? Are you two jobless?” was a clear indication that she wanted them to leave. Shakti stood up to face her, and she smiled.
“Someone is looking handsome.” She smiled at Shakti.
“Someone is looking beautiful.” He smiled back. “What's that?”
“Sit.” She made him sit and attached the brooch. “This is a tradition, Ranima said, you have to wear this.” She explained.
“ Jija … umm…. Hows….”
“She is fine. Getting irked when I asked, and your Dadabhai…” She stopped.
“Ajab Gazab?”
“Hmm?” She looked away at his serious tone.
“You know when life gives second chances, one should take them….” His words made her look up and then smile.
“I know you are the one getting married, but I am still older than you, don't forget that. And such deep words of advice don't suit you, understood?” Shakti smiled, knowing very well how she was avoiding the topic.
“Woh Pandit Bulwa rahe hai…” Patta came, and Ajabde smiled, “Le jao.”
It was time to take the bride to the mandap when Ajabde went to take her with Ruk. Heer held both hands firmly to walk and stopped at the threshold to turn.
“Dadabhai, come.” She called Pratap as Ajabde stared back at him. “Go on, I'm coming.” He smiled at the bride.
The antarpat dropped as Heer looked up to meet Shakti’s reassuring nod, as she nodded back with a faint smile. Pratap walked towards the mandap as he spotted Ajabde and Ranima smiling at each other. Hansa walked up to him and patted his back.
“Pratap?”
“Ji Mausi?”
“Woh…. Ek…. Request….”
“Please command.” He smiled.
“I... we wanted you…” She looked at his confused face. “To do Heer's Kanyadaan.”
“But Mausi…”
“It's okay if you don't want to..”
“It is not that Mausi but…” He stared across to Ajabde, who was busy with Ranima. “If you asked..."
“Ajabdeh told me this herself.” Hansa surprised him as he said, “Ohh.”
Heer was pleasantly surprised at him doing the kanyadaan as she looked across to Ajabde, who nodded with a faint smile. She knew what her Choti wanted without saying. This little thing they both loved to do for their family, no matter what differences they had. Ajabde stared at Pratap, visibly pleased as he put Heer’s hand on Shakti’s.
Ajabde looked around to see the girls eyeing Pratap. Even the mothers. Heer’s friends were giggling and smiling at him. Ajabde looked away. Why should I care? She looked back at the girls again. Kitne besharam hai aj kal ladkiyaan. She was miffed. Her phone rang as she walked up the stairs to her room. On the table, while talking, she noticed something. She took the box in hand and wondered how.
“Gath Bandhan Kiya Jae.” The priest called someone sister-like for Shakti. Pratap looked around for Ajabde, who was missing.
“Jija?” Shakti asked, looking at Pratap as he walked into the house to look for her. Heer smiled faintly at Shakti for sending Pratap.
Ajabde was walking down the stairs absentminded when she remembered she had left the phone in the room. She turned and lost her balance on the stairs as his hands pulled her by the wrist to balance her against his body. She stared wide-eyed at the close proximity she was to him, and she remembered the hug. Her hand travelled to his neck to balance herself as Pratap seemed to be at a loss for words, sinking in her elegance. Eyes met as she murmured “ Th…Thank you.” He let go of the wrist and she, of his neck as they looked away.
“Pandit ji is calling for the Gath Bandhan.” He spoke up, looking away as she ran past him down the stairs. Pratap stood with Chaks and Jalal as he watched Ajabde do the gath bandhan with a smile. She looked right at him for a mere few seconds when she was done and walked to where Sau sat with Ruk.
As Shakti filled Heer’s hairline, Ajabde felt an unfulfilled dream come back to haunt her as she looked away, fearing she might be the evil.
“Nazar” on her sister’s luck. As she looked away, Pratap’s smile faded as he read her mind. He looked guilty as he walked back inside, not standing for the pheras.
“Pratap.” Sau walked up to him, and he smiled. “Sit down, you…”
“What happened to you?” “Me? Nothing.” He lied.
“I have known both of you since childhood. Don't lie to me.” She stood staring at his silent glare before walking away.
After the wedding, Jaivanta Bai did the aarti to welcome the bride.
“We will host a proper party and welcome Heer in Delhi, but it will take some time, right, Pratap?”
“At least a month.” He nodded as she placed the Kalash at Heer’s feet to tilt.
“Hansa, I will cook tomorrow. My home is blessed by Lakshmi”
Jaivanta smiled as Pratap and Ajabde said in unison “Ranima aap bimaar…” and stopped staring at each other.
“Ohho, Ajabde will help me out.” She smiled as Ajabde nodded.
Rukaiya and Saubhagyawati dragged Ajabde by her hand and walked up to the room they had decorated for the newlyweds.
“How is it?” Rukaiya smiled.
“You two did this?” Ajabde asked, surprised.
“This was important.” Sau giggled. “You are so naive, Ajabde.”
“You remember when you got married…” Ruk smiled at Sau, teasing, “Chaks reached the room before you.” Sau looked embarrassed as Rukaiya giggled.
“And Jalal? He even got you a gift.” Sau smiled back.
“Yes, the only one he got me ever.” The three of them laughed as they saw Saubhagyawati and Rukaiya. an empty feeling crept inside Ajabde, which she shook off by walking away.
“Ajabde.” She was playing with Brownie and his favourite ball post-dinner, in the empty mandap ground, when Jaivanta called her.
“Ji Ranima?” Pratap heard them and stopped at the threshold. “Take Heer to her room Beta.”
“Ji.” She nodded.
“What is that mark on your finger?” “Nothing… “She hid it as Pratap frowned cluelessly.
Rukaiya, Saubhagyawati and Ajabde took Heer to the room and made her sit in the middle of the bed.
“Don’t be nervous, Heer,” Sau suggested. “Being nervous makes things awkward!!”
“Haan, she knows everything! You listen to me, keep the jewellery in a box so that you find it easily in the morning.” Rukaiya smiled as Heer looked all red and wide-eyed. She gulped.
Ajabde walked out on the advising wives and searched for Shakti. She heard voices on the terrace and found Shakti and Pratap talking business on the terrace.
“So that project needs supervision, Shakti, but I am right now wanting to concentrate on the Mewar Found…” Pratap stopped as she walked in, and Shakti smiled at her.
“Chalo Shakti.” She smiled.
“Where?” Pratap frowned, clueless, as Shakti looked embarrassed.
“Ajabde, take him.” Jalal smiled as he walked up to Pratap. He realised he had asked something very silly as Ajabde gave a “He’s hopeless” nod and walked, as Shakti followed.
As Shakti entered the room, he shut the door awkwardly at a giggling Rukaiya and Saubhagyawati’s faces as Heer looked embarrassed. He turned to her, standing still at the door as she looked up from behind her veil. Pin-drop silence.
Say something. She wished.
What will I say now? He frowned.
This is so awkward. They stared at each other with the same thought, a little embarrassed.
“Woh…. Praja…” They said in unison as they stared wide-eyed at each other
Heer was having her favourite parathas during the school lunch break when Shakto ran up and snatched one from her. They were sixteen and had been in the same school since they were kids.
“Areee….. Shakti!” She frowned at him eating. “Guess what?” He said between bites.
“What?” She frowned.
“Something is up between Dadabhai and Ajab Gazab.”
“Jija!”She corrected, annoyed. “You found that out today?” she giggled at his cluelessness.
“Heeriye.” He looked annoyed. “You didn't tell me.” “I assumed you knew.” She giggled again.
“Let's give them a name," He sounded excited. “Like couples have…”
“umm…. Let me think.” Heer smiled. “Praja.” They said in unison!
“Do you still remember Praja?” Shakti asked as he walked up to occupy the
corner of the bed, as she shifted with a nod.
“Do you think….” She asked with a hopeful smile if Shakti missed the last two days.
“They are getting back to their old selves.” He smiled.
“I wish we right ho.” She said it like a prayer. “I wish we could do something…”
“We can!” He smiled excitedly. “Let's plan something," She nodded. It’s been a long time since they have planned something together.
“We need help, too.” She said as their eyes met and shone with hope. “Bhaijaan.” They smiled in unison.
They spent the night concentrating on their plan; they were more comfortable with that than planning their life ahead. No one knew when, amidst the planning, they felt sleepy. Heer was jotting down a list and reading aloud from his tablet when she frowned at the lack of response and stared at his side. A smile appeared on her lips as she watched him in deep sleep, mouth open like a baby. She turned off the bedside lamp after thanking God for that day.
Ajabde was on the terrace jhula with an album in hand. Tattered, torn and old, it still had the precious memories she held on to. She ran her hand through the baby pictures of Heer and Shakti and smiled.
Pratap appeared behind her as she smiled at the photographs absentmindedly.
“The album is torn; it needs to be replaced.” He remarked unmindfully. Ajabde’s smile faded. Her jaws tightened.
“Memories cannot be replaced.” She got up, picked up the album and left.
“That’s not what I….” His words died in his mouth as he watched her go. He shook his head and made his way to his room.
Pratap was in his room and was tired after the whole day; his neck felt stiff. He held his neck with both hands and closed his eyes. When he opened it, his left hand had something black on it. He frowned and touched his left neck, just below the earlobes. He remembered something.
Ajabde was walking down the stairs absent-minded when he was walking up to call her for Ganth Bandhan. She turned and lost her balance on the stairs as his hands pulled her by the wrist to balance her against his body. She stared wide-eyed at the close proximity, he at her almond eyes. Her hand travelled to his neck to balance herself as Pratap seemed to be at a loss for words, sinking in her elegance. Eyes met as she murmured “ Th…Thank you.” He let go of her wrist and she of his neck as they looked away.
“ Jaldi Karo, we are late!!” Pratap straightened his jacket, looking into the mirror in her room and called at the closed bathroom door. The green room for the college fest was bustling with excited youth waiting to perform.
“Aa rahi.” She walked out in a pretty purple short dress, and his eyes stopped on her.
She ignored his glances, fully aware and walked up to the dressing table to take her Dabba of Kajal. She promptly walked up to him as he stood transfixed, and she put a kaala teeka behind his earlobes.
“What the…. What was that for?”Pratap frowned.
“Taaki unn ladkiyon ka nazar na laage jo waha ghurte rahenge.”
“Accha?” he gave half a smile at her possessiveness as she ignored and walked away with a smile, saying “Chalo!”
Pratap smiled as he realised Ajabde put the kaala teeka on his neck purposely. He had seen the girls eyeing him. Maybe she had too. He sat down, smiling to himself.
“ You will learn to forgive me, someday, Ajab. And I will wait for that day.”
He smiled at the black spot on his hand. But she clearly had her grudges now. Suddenly, something in him got scared of the Crazy Ajab he loved. He hadn’t read the conditions when he had signed the papers; he needed to find them and read them. He remembered seeing her carry that file home. Early in the morning, he needed to raid her office. Before she woke.
Ajabde was in her room with Brownie. She caressed him and held him close. Pratap knew she hadn’t moved on; his eyes at the office said so.
They taunted her when he found the photograph. She was failing
miserably at showing that he didn’t matter. She sighed. A soft knock made her sit up, worried. Who was there at 1 AM? She ran to the door.
“Ranima? Do you need something? Are you…” She asked worriedly as Jaivanta stepped into her room.
“No, I am here to have a heart-to-heart with my daughter. If she is not tired…”
“I am not, are you…” She held Ranima’s hands and made her sit on the bed.
“Yes, actually. I am very happy, Beta, Shakti ko Heer jaisa jeevan sathi mili. After all, she is your shadow.” She smiled at Ajabde, “But I am worried for Pratap.” Her face turned serious as Ajabde looked up to read it.
“He is so much indulged in his work and career, I fear, when I will be gone…”
“Ranima! You are not leaving so soon. Stop saying that!” Ajabde hugged her tightly as Jaivanta caressed her hair.
“I have to someday beta. Tabh?”
“Ranima….”
“You know, we lose a lot because of our egos.”
Ajabde stared at her as she spoke.
Jaivanta smiled at her and added, “Once that ego cost us a lot, Ajab. I don't want it to happen again.” She walked away as Ajabde sat on her bed, reflecting on what she had just heard.
