RAABTA

Ajabdeh ran into the house through the main door, Brownie in tow, as the crowd stared at her, making her smile disappear. "Ajabdeh," Hansa called. "Where were you?"  "I ... was with Brownie ..."  "Ajabdeh," Mami exclaimed, surprised. "Beta, you are here?" Ajabdeh controlled a laugh as she remembered Pratap's mimicry."Yes, I..." Mami hugged her, making her stop as she looked clueless at Ranima, who seemed amused. "I am seeing you after such a long time... Oh, how beautiful you have grown... I mean, you were beautiful before, but..." Mami was telling Hansa as Ajabdeh stared awkwardly. "My friend's nephew is a doctor in the USA. Remember I told you about him? He is four years older than her..." "Bhabisa." Ranima stopped her, much to Ajabdeh's relief. "How are the children?" "They are doing fine. My son got into an Ivy League university." "We had to use connection...

Pratap's footsteps stopped at the threshold of his chambers. He froze to see Ajabdeh in his room, her back to him, as she stared at the walls. The purple-shaded room was lit up by the morning sun, and Ajabdeh's soft sobs seemed like clouds on it. Gulping hard, he found a voice. "Ajab." Ajabdeh closed her eyes as her name from his lips made a shiver run down her spine. She gulped. She had wished he would call out to her someday. She had dreamt him calling her in her sleep, she had sobbed in slumbers, only Brownie knew those tears. She had often dreamt she was lost and couldn't find her way back to him. He was calling her. Reaching out to her. Giving her his hand, she couldn't reach him. All those nightmares ended in sleepless nights, and tears, and she admitted that she hated to love him. At times, she would hug Brownie and feel his presence. But today, Pratap was calling out to her. A few months back, when she sent out Heer's wedding invites, she had stop...

The morning saw the Punwar House in a mess as Shakti, in his suit, was still putting stuff in his bags as Heer, in an elegant red and gold saree, dragged it out of the room saying, "Okay, enough now!"Jalal had just arrived with Rukaiya and a couple's trolley as Jiwa was chewing gum and keeping her backpack down on Patta's trolley, making him frown. One stare, and he smiled at her, making Jalal say, "Ahm, who is this?"  "Nice friend." Heer and Shakti smiled, amused as they said in unison, "Patta's." Pratap was helping the older ladies take their luggage out while Sau and Chaks were dealing with a crying baby in vain. Brownie came running out of Ajabdeh's room with her in tow, shouting "Brownie, listen to me..." as Brownie looked at Shakti's trolley on his way, and Heer exclaimed a soft "Brownie, stop." Before Brownie bumped into it, the trolley was pushed down the stairs. "Brownie Yaar!" Shakti ex...

Jaivanta and Hansa were busy preparing for the journey from dawn. Pratap walked in as they frowned. "Where were you so early in the morning?" "We can't leave Sau and the baby behind, and you are sick. So I booked a private Jet. For us all." He sat down, busy with his phone "There is no way we are going by road, and the flights are all oddly timed and unfit for an infant." "A private Jet?" Chaks looked wide-eyed. "The perks of having rich friends." He taunted. "Nahi, it's for my princess, so shut it" Pratap spoke as he handed Chaks the details. "I need to go." "Aree, where to? Breakfast is ready." Hansa spoke up. "I have some work on the project." And I need to know what she decided. Heer walked down the stairs with Shakti on her toes. "I am going to inform Bhaijaan and Aapa, and then I will come back to finish my packing," Shakti spoke up. "More packing?" Heer frowned....