Nothing Has Changed

At dawn, Pratap was in his socks, minus the shoes, in her office room as everyone was still tired and sleeping. Nowhere could he find the file.  He frowned as he looked up at the room. It was shut, and a faint sound of music could be heard from inside. She was awake. He looked disappointed. He needed to read the terms in the file. Anyhow.

To his surprise, he found Brownie in the corridor as he walked towards his room. A sly smile curved his lips. He turned her doorknob as noiselessly as he could. Thank god it’s not locked! He let Brownie in, expecting to hear her voice as he hid. Instead, all he could hear was the song on the stereo.

Subah ki dhoop pe issi ki dastakhat hai, issi ki roshni uri jo har taraf hai…

yeh lamho ke kuye mein roz jhakti hai, yeh jaake waqt se hisaab mangti hai…

He peeped in to see the room empty and Brownie sniffing around. He entered relieved and saw a pile of files on the corner table. He tiptoed on his socks and went across the room to the file. Brownie walked up to him, wagging his tail.

“Hush!” He said to the confused creature.

He pulled the desired pile from the lot, and the others stumbled. He balanced them with his right hand, but one dropped on the floor.

“Who’s that? Brownie?” Her voice from the bathroom startled him.

“Woof!” Brownie’s response pleased him.

Ajabde was in her bathrobe, her tub ready for her bath as she arranged her toiletries. As she heard Brownie woof, her soap fell from her hand upon the toiletries, and they all fell on the floor.

“Oh, Shit.” She sat down to pick them up. Hearing the noise, Pratap was sure she had hurt herself, and without a thought, he just banged at the bathroom door hard, thus unlocking it. Ajabde looked up wide-eyed as he spoke up.

“Are you okay?”

“Tum??” She stood up awkwardly as he looked away, realising she was in a bathrobe. “What the hell are you doing in my room?”

“I…. I… was…. Umm….”

“What’s in your hand?” She frowned as he hid the file in vain.

“Nothing.” He lied.

“You are stealing my company information!” She was visibly displeased.

“No, I am not!” He protested.

“You are! You… You snuck in!” She pointed a finger at him as he still looked away, and she stood in front of him. “Give it back!”

“No!” He held it firmly behind him. Not before I read it.

“I said, give it back!” She cornered him.

“No!” She now pulled at his hands.

He restrained. Brownie stood witness as he felt two of his favourite people were fighting; he needed to stop them! He ran to the bathroom and tried to jump between the pushing and pulling, startling them both as Pratap stumbled on Ajabde and both fell into the tub with a splash. Brownie shook himself and ran out. He hated water.

On the bathtub dripping wet, Pratap’s eyes were fixed on hers. Ajabde felt like she couldn’t move as his hand held her waist, while they lost balance and were unaware that he was still holding her, his grip on her waist tightened as they sat in the tub, his other hand carefully holding the file off the tub.

Her hair on her face, he swept it away to her earlobe after putting the file down on the dry part of the floor, eyes still locked, as she gasped softly. Pratap got out of the tub and gave his hand to her. Taking the dry towel, he wrapped it across her wet bathrobe as she stared at him. he looked away, and her heart leapt to her throat. He wrapped the towel around her and then stared at her almond eyes. She couldn’t look away as he held her chin and whispered in her ears, “Nothing has changed.”

He left Ajabde flabbergasted with a sly smile as he took two steps backwards and turned to leave and taking the file with him. Ajabde’s heart refused to slow down as she shut her eyes, miffed at his effect on her.

The constant knocking on the door disturbed Shakti’s sleep as he rubbed his eyes, displeased and got out of bed and walked to the door. He opened it to find Saubhagyawati smiling at him. He stared confused, only to remember that it was his wedding night. By that time, Sau had entered the room and frowned.

“Where is Heer?” Her question startled a clueless Shakti as he looked at her empty place on the bed.

Shakti’s clueless face made her frown a little more as she added, “ The first day itself, you are like this.”

“Where is Heer?” Shakti thought aloud. “Hope she didn't run away.” 

"Did you do something to make her?"

His awkward face made Sau smile as Heer walked out of the bathroom, rubbing her hair with a towel. In a red and yellow saree, she looked pretty, and Shakti gave a relieved smile as she looked at Sau grinning.

“Your husband thought that you…” She giggled, “Ran away!” 

Heer’s eyes widened as Shakti protested with a soft “No, I… couldn't find you” Sau started laughing, followed by Heer’s smile and Shakti explaining in vain.

They stopped as Hansa appeared at the door, saying, “Come, it's time for the prayers”

At the mandir, as everyone gathered in their ethnic wear, waiting for the newlyweds, Pratap was lost in the thoughts of the morning as Chaks asked, “Why are you smiling?”

“My wish” His cold stare stopped the further interrogation as the newlyweds arrived at the Mandir.

“Where is the Aarti Thaal?” Jaivanta looked around.

“I must have kept it inside,” Hansa spoke up.

Sau was about to leave for the thaali when she froze, and all eyes were on the doorway as Ajabde stepped out in a royal blue and off-white saree, puja thali in hand, her long hair made into a side braid.

“Here, Choti.” She handed Heer the thaal, ignoring his glances as Jaivanta smiled at her. 

After the aarti, they were setting up the breakfast table when Jalal and Rukaiya arrived for breakfast.

As everyone gathered around the table, Jaivanta beamed proudly as she declared, “Heer and I made breakfast!” 

Shakti smiled at his mother as the others were eagerly waiting to start.

“Jija?” Heer asked, looking around as Ajabde was missing since right after the pujas.

“She said she needs to get ready for the office,” Rukaiya informed as Ajabde walked down the stairs in a blue corporate suit.

As she sat down at the table, Patta said, “Let’s begin,” and took a bowlful of Poha.

Heer nodded at Shakti, who was busy buttering his bread, when he cleared his throat to begin.

“Ahem. Umm… Dadabhai… I was thinking… I was thinking it's been a long time since we all visited Surajgarh ….”

“Surajgarh!” Patta interrupted mouthful. “Jija never takes…” He checked himself as Heer narrowed her eyes at him. Pratap’s hands stopped at his tea as he frowned at the word clueless.

“ I was thinking this time I should go for the routine inspection, after all, you are so busy, Dadabhai.” 

As soon as Shakti spoke it out, Pratap was eyeing him suspiciously like he had seen a ghost. Shakti Singh was not a person to mature within a day, enough to take a load off his brother. But Pratap had heard that marriages changed people, and maybe it was Heer’s mind in his words. He smiled approvingly.

“Then let's do something, why don't we all take a holiday there? What do you say, Bhaijaan?” Heer’s excited smile met another from Jalal, who nodded excitedly, “That is a good idea!”

“I can't travel so much. Why don't you kids go, and Hansa can stay with me?” Jaivanta spoke up as Patta frowned, “ I also have exams.”

“Then what about the rest? Jija?” Heer asked as Ajabde opened her mouth for an excuse.

“Of course!” Shakti stopped her as she frowned.

“But…”

“But nothing, it's been a long time since we took a holiday together!” Rukaiya stopped Ajabde, holding her hand as she shook her head at the over-excited bunch of people.

“Yes, Jija must go otherwise…” Shakti checked himself as Heer narrowed her eyes at him. He gulped as Pratap looked at him and back at Heer suspiciously.

“Yes, we made such fun plans!” Jalal patted his back with a smile as Sau added, “Wow, that was fast!”

Everyone was chalking down the plans as Patta sulked at his exams, and Ajabde checked the watch and got up to leave.

“Ajabde!”Jalal’s words stopped her as he added, “I heard of potential new partnerships, thinking of joining that!” 

Pratap choked on his tea as the others stared cluelessly. 

Ajabde gave a faint smile as she said, “The great Jalaluddin has spies in my small company? I'm honoured.” 

She was about to leave as Jalal smirked at Pratap when she turned back to address no one in particular when she said “Mr Das will be here in an hour, to show around the Mewar Foundation Projects for those who are interested and one can see that things will not be the same again ever.” 

She stopped as he stared at her wide eyes as she added, “We are developing Mewar for its future.” She walked away as the crowd showed no interest in her project, but more in the trip, as Pratap walked up the stairs with a smile at how he affected her and irked her. Her reactions, any, were welcome.

He got ready as Mr Das arrived, and they left in his car for a trip around the project. This gave the gang the time to plan what they needed to.

“First, we need to make sure that they get ample time alone.” Sau giggled excitedly.

“Yes, accidentally!” Jalal smiled.

“Then maybe we can like lock them up!” Chaks smiled at the gang, frowning at him.

“Grow up!” Rukaiya shook her head, disappointed.

“I was thinking…” Heer’s calm voice attracted their attention. “We need to recreate moments.”

“ Like?” Jalal asked.

“Like things that would make them call each other Princy and Ajab again.” Shakti smiled.

“Yes, and make them remember that before these five bad years, they had ten good ones,” Heer added.

A call on her cell made her walk up the stairs to her room as Shakti unmindfully watched her go. When he turned four pairs of eyes were smirking at him.

“What?” He frowned.

“ What did you gift her?” Chaks asked, smiling.

“Gift?” He asked, clueless, as Sau and Rukaiya shook their heads, adding, “You are hopeless”

“You need to gift the new bride something.” Chaks held his shoulder.

“Like what?”

“Something she likes,” Jalal added.

“Umm, what?” Shakti was still clueless. He decided that it was better that he ask Heer. They were friends, weren’t they? He waited for the eager, enthusiastic bunch to leave.

Heer was on the call. “Yes, I need exactly that fabric, yes, yes…” As Shakti came into the room, she added, “I will call you back.” I can’t let him know of his gift yet!

Shakti entered the room to meet Heer’s gaze as she asked, “You need something?”

“Yes… ummm….” He looked confused. Had he ever fumbled with a girl before? And this was Heer!

Heer stood waiting for his answer as he said, “ Umm… Paani.”

“Kya?” She frowned.

“ I need water.” He said, confused. What the hell are you saying, Shakti?

“The jug is right there.”

She pointed at the water jug and glasses on the side table as he smiled sheepishly. Now he wants me to be all wife and give him water in a glass? He is so confusing nowadays.

Heer thought to herself as she watched him pour a glass and drink it like he had found a lake in a desert. Then he poured another glass and drank it too. She frowned. He looked back to see her watching him. He then took the jug and gulped down the whole content, making her worry.

“Are you all right?” She asked at last.

“Me? Yes, Yes, I am fine.” Listen, I need to gift you something so…. No no!

Heer was about to leave him alone and walk out when he stopped her.

“ If someone needs to like… umm…. Buy jewellery…what do women like…umm… as a gift?”

“Jewellery?” She asked, confused. “ Depends.”

“ On what?” He asked, brows raised.

“ A lot of stuff. Occasions, purpose, design, weight, body type…” Heer’s designer self came out.

“Okay, okay!” He stopped her before she confused him more. “ Can you go to the mall with me?”

“ Now?” She frowned at his weirdness.

“No, tomorrow. My friend invited me to his wedding, so...” He had no idea why he was lying.

“Okay.” She said, shrugging as he got up and left, still wearing that silly smile. Heer shook her head, confused and dialled a number.

Rukaiya was busy doing her pending checkups at her clinic as she would be off for a week after a day. Her phone rang once, twice, thrice. She at last had to see who was calling.

“Heer?” She asked, confused. “ What happened?”

“Tell me, Aapa, was Bhaijaan all strange after you two got married?” Her question made Rukaiya laugh aloud. 

She giggled to ask, “ What did Shakti do?”

“ I have no idea, he is being so weird, and …”

Heer went on and on when Rukaiya stopped her, saying, “ Ya Allah Heer, it's been a day and you are acting wife on him, complaining!”

She disconnected as her patient arrived, and Heer stood like a statue reflecting on her words. She sat down at the dressing table, looked at her reflection in the mirror, and the small line of red vermilion on her forehead that had changed everything suddenly seemed to make her face glow as her cheeks felt strange and warm. She had planned a wedding gift after Rukaiya said she should gift him something. Her first piece of a Men’s designer line, for him. He loved looking good and appreciated and encouraged her ambition; this would be perfect. She could not deny how grateful she was to him. A ring on his phone startled her out of the weirdness as she went to fetch it.

“Emma.”

It read as she held it, and suddenly her heart skipped a beat. An ex-girlfriend he had cried for. She remembered the girl well. He entered the room, hearing his phone ringing, when their eyes met, and she felt like she shouldn’t have touched his phone at all. 

She gave it to him with a smile as he saw the name and frowned to receive it with a gruff “ hello”. Heer was about to leave when she heard him say, “Congrats on your engagement, Emma, by the way, am married.” 

She stood at the threshold as he added with a hint of a smile, “You remember Heer, don’t you?”

She heard him disconnect as she quickly appeared busy on her phone as he walked past her to stop and say, “ Next time this thing rings somewhere, I forget it, do pick it up before the line gets disconnected.” 

Heer nodded a little surprised as he added with a smile, “You have a husband who is much in demand, Mrs Heer Kanwar Singh.”

“Yeah, right!” She taunted back with a smile before asking, “Are we set for the plans?”

“Hopefully yes, if they don’t kill each other before reaching there.” His words met a cushion from her as they both chuckled and smiled excitedly at their plans to get the desired results.

Pratap was looking around the “Maharani Baisa Welfare Centre for Women and Children” near Kumbhalmer, after a two-hour drive from the city. Ajabde Punwar had built this brick by brick and looked after every minor detail. Today, the centre takes care of abandoned orphans and teaches women who were left alone by in-laws or husbands to be self-reliant. A weaving class was going on for the women while the ones with children were happy to keep the children in the company of the orphanage workers while they learnt, studied and worked. To everyone here, “Ajabde Baisa” was no less than god sent angel. Pratap asked, looking around absent-mindedly. 

He had forgotten his father’s dream these five years, chasing after the dream of being the biggest. But Ajabde, in her very limited resources, had begun what their fathers wanted. Pratap felt he was so wrong yet again. But a proud smile came as many times as the women praised their Baisa.

Mr Das explained the function briefly before adding, “ We have one more branch of this coming up.”

“Where?” he asked, deciding he would help this time.

“Surajgarh.” Pratap stared wide-eyed as Mr Das looked confused.

“Umm, sir, your native…”

“She is helping people there…” He murmured to himself, a little taken aback.

“Woh aap ma’am ko maat bataega. Har do mahine Ma’am jaati waha, waha ke gaon walo ko madat karti, school ko fund karti, ab yeh centre…”

Pratap didn’t remember the last time he visited Surajgarh. Maybe a couple of years back, when the people wanted him to be married and crowned. And she was taking care of his people and his duty? How could you be so selfless, Ajabde? How could I not know all these?

“Mr Das. Ajab… Ms Punwar ?” Pratap wanted to see her badly. Mr Das checked his phone.

“Today… she will be at the Chavand Village. There is an NGO, for Mewar Foundation, working for children and old people.”

“Take me there.”

“But sir… Ma’am …”

“She won’t scold you, take me please.” Pratap kind of pleaded taken aback by Mr Das, who walked to the car and said, “ Ahmed, take us to Chavand."