Crazy Ride

At lunch, somehow the empty place of Ajabde, who had skipped it, and the questioning eyes of the mothers, Heer, Shakti and Sau disturbed Pratap. He ate half-heartedly as Heer looked at Shakti, who was equally worried. Sau decided to break the silence.

“Mausi.” She addressed Hansa, “Chaks and I have an ultrasound appointment today, after that, we will meet Rukaiya and Jalal for an early dinner.”

“Yes, Beta, all of you are leaving early tomorrow.” Jaivanta nodded.

“As for you two, Ranima,” Heer spoke up, “We are leaving a nurse, Kaka knows all your medicines, so none of you dares to skip them, Aapa has informed her friend Dr Meher of your routine checkup, and the driver will be here…”

“It’s all right! “ Hansa stopped her. “It’s just a week.” “Ranima is not well.” Heer frowned.

“Dekha Hansa, kaisi samajhdar bahu hai meri” Jaivanta smiled as Heer’s frown disappeared in awkwardness, and Shakti spotted Patta unmindfully playing with his food as he added, “And we are leaving behind a caretaker too.”

“Who?” Chaks asked, a little surprised.

“Patta!”Shakti chuckled, making Patta shout “Maussiiiii!” “I'm done.” Pratap got up and left, silencing the crowd.

Ajabde had just finished packing for Surajgarh. The thought of going back to that palace gave me mixed feelings. On one hand, there was this long chain of memories that included him and on the other was a home she always loved to go to. Their parents always made sure they were attached to their roots. Even in their hectic schedules and the fast lives in Delhi, they needed to spend Holi and Diwali at Surajgarh, with its people. Since Udai's Uncle died, all those had stopped. Firstly, because the boys left, and then because they moved away. Ajabde suddenly realised how lonely Ranima had become in Delhi. Maybe that deteriorated her health. She frowned in worry as a knock shook her.

“Come in?”

“Jija, what did you do?” Heer’s question made her look a little wide-eyed and guilty. He told Choti?

“Umm…”

“I don’t know what you said or did.” Heer stopped her. “Dadabhai is hurt, Jija. Can’t you see that when we can?”

“Choti, he must have personal problems. Why are you…” She tried to shake it off.

“He never had anything personal except you, and you of all people should know that, Jija.” Heer walked away, showing disappointment clearly as Ajabde gulped down a lump. Taking a deep breath, she looked around. Where was Brownie?

Brownie loved to grab and fetch no matter what time it was. The roof was a perfect, peaceful spot. The stars in the clear night sky, the moonlight, and the cool, calm breeze. Pratap sat down on a garden chair in a corner, his back to the door, as he let Brownie play fetch with a ball.

Brownie jumped and wagged his tail in joy, running behind the ball. He had finally learned to fetch. As a puppy, he used to run behind the ball, making them laugh as he couldn’t grab it.

Ajabde walked up to the roof in her search for “Brownie?” Her voice made him stand up, ball in hand, as he was ready to leave, but Brownie blocked his way.

“Brow…” Ajabde stopped at the door, spotting Pratap with the ball in hand and Brownie wagging his tail like it would fall off.

“Not now, Brownie, maybe tomorrow.” He patted the dog without looking at her.

“It’s okay, he wants to play.” She turned to leave. Brownie caught the end of her palazzo and pulled her towards the roof.

“No Brownie, I have a lot of work, not now, Baby, play with…”

“Come here, Buddy.” He called in vain as Ajabde sat down to pat him, but smart as he always was, Brownie blocked her way.

“I guess he wants to play with you.” He threw the ball that Ajabde caught, but Brownie was not going to let him go, either. Unconsciously, knowing what he wants, Pratap and Ajabde looked at each other for a brief moment.

“Buddy! You are stubborn.” Pratap smiled faintly. Just like someone.

“ Here, fetch!” She threw the ball as the dog ran, and they watched him. Silence followed for a few moments as they both talked to Brownie. She then decided to … talk.

“I was thinking who should take care of Brownie.” She stared at the running dog. He frowned without looking at her.

“Patta is going back to the hostel for exams, and Maasa and Ranima can't.”

“ I guess… we can take him along.” Maybe the only way we will talk at all is for him.

“I will pack his things.” She got up to leave. “Umm… I…” She stopped.

“I am sorry I didn’t inform you about the Surajgarh projects. I really wanted Heer to be surprised post her wedding, as I wanted her to do the inaugurations.”

“ It’s okay if you informed Ranima, that’s enough.” He replied, still looking away. Is she apologising?

“ Umm… you were right.” She continued. “Let’s do this for them without killing each other.”

A faint smile appeared on his face as he stood up to face her. The gentle breeze blew her long hair back, and her almond eyes shone. It would be wrong to say Pratap’s heart didn’t beat faster. It would be even more wrong to say Ajabde didn’t read those eyes. But she was in denial mode, fearing history would repeat itself. Maybe they could part as friends? Ajabde shook the thought out of her heart; expectations were a bad thing!

“Deal.” He extended his hand as she took it for a shake. Palms touched and were drawn away as the hearts beat faster.

“See you at dinner.” He nodded at her words as she left him alone with Brownie.

Before dinner, Ajabde walked downstairs to find Pratap and Shakti busy with business files, Heer helping Ramu Kaka set up the table, and the mothers discussing stitching arts. Jalal and Rukaiya had come to drop off Chaks and Sau after their dinner, and Sau and Rukaiya were seeing her reports as Jalal was listening to Pratap, and Chaks was busy checking emails. Ajabde’s footsteps made everyone look up, even Pratap.

“ Heer, come here.” Patta frowned as he walked down the stairs, adding, “Nobody wants me!” Ajabde smiled and shook her head

Little at that, as Heer asked, “You asked for me?”

“We will reach there and go to MFS first.” She smiled at a surprised Heer as Pratap’s approving nod to her didn’t miss the crowd’s attention. "Choti will inaugurate it."

“Who decided on this plan?” Jalal spoke with a smirk, staring at Pratap and then back at Ajabde. Pratap seemed too busy with the file as Ajabde dispersed the question.

“All right!” Jalal got up, “We should leave! We will be here at dawn to wake all of you, except the newlyweds.” He teased a red Shakti and Heer as Rukaiya slapped his hand, saying, “Chaloo!”

“ Shakti.” Jalal stopped at the door.

“Ji Bhaijaan.” He walked up to Jalal to escort them out. After dinner,

Heer was pacing the room, thinking. Shakti entered the room, three files in hand and frowned.

“We have a lot of work.” He spoke up, giving her the files. “Keep these in your luggage, please.”

“Did you see that?” Heer asked to take the files. “See what?”

“Jija and Dadabhai actually planned something.” “Haan for you. It feels special!” He taunted.

“Jealous.” She pointed, chuckling.

“Huh.” He taunted back. He wore a smile she used to dread as a kid. “We made a plan.”

“What plan? Who are we?” Heer was confused.

“Me and Bhaijaan! Just wait and watch!” Shakti winked as Heer shook her head.

Shakti went to change when the bill for the jewellery fell from his pocket. He picked it up to remember; he hadn’t yet told Heer that it was for her. All these felt so awkward. He smiled as he remembered her confused face. He walked out to find her lying on her side, eyes closed. He took the box of Jewellery carefully without making a noise and put it in his luggage. Maybe tomorrow.

As Shakti lay on his side, Heer wondered who he had brought that for. All his friends she knew, none were getting married… her heart skipped a beat. Emma? Did he still… Heer sat up to see him in deep sleep. Why did this bother or concern her? They were clear about the purpose of this marriage, right… She took a glass of water, but something seemed to be stuck in her throat.

In the morning, Ajabde was up early and put Brownie on the leash he hated.

“I am sorry, baby, but we are travelling, so you need this, but I promise, once we reach, you can roam free. Ok, Baby?” She patted the sad dog. A knock on her door made her look up as Pratap peeped in.

“Umm, you are ready, Buddy? Come!”Brownie ran to him as he held his leash, saying, “Good boy.” Ajabde picked up her luggage and looked around for a last-minute check.

“What the hell?” Ajabde frowned as she looked around the empty

porch. Only Shakti’s car was there. All three cars, Jalal’s and Pratap’s, were supposed to be there, and all of them were missing too. The driver stood beside her car, which she had meant to keep for the ladies and Patta here.

“Where are they?” Pratap frowned as Brownie sniffed.

“Ahmed! Sab kaha hai?” Kaka, who was carrying their luggage, asked. “Sab chale gaye… umm… Shakti Baba Pratap Sir ke car le gaye Heer Baisa ke saath aur Jalal Baba baki o ko le gaye. Shakti Baba ne yeh key chodi Ajabde Baisa ke liye.” Ahmed looked scared as Pratap and Ajabde murmured in unison, “Shakti!”

“ Hahaha!” Heer laughed as she turned on the stereo. “ They will murder you.” She looked at Shakti's smile while he drove on the highway. “Unke liye jaan bhi hazir!”

“Ohho! Kya filmy line maar rahe ho. I hope they don’t fight!”

“Don’t worry, Heeriye! Agar fight bhi hui, either you will have your jija alive or my Dadabhai!”

“Ohho, alive in jail.” She taunted. “Bas Eklingji sab thik kar dena!”

Shakti watched her pray with a faint smile. Something strange happened to Heer as, with closed eyes, she could feel his gaze on her, and it made her stomach do weird things. Maybe she was hungry as they skipped breakfast.

“Where are we stopping for breakfast?” She asked as her heart skipped a beat, watching him stare weirdly. He was caught off guard awkwardly as he didn’t know why he was doing that in the first place. Seeing Heer pray brought a sense of calm around him. “Umm, let's see.”

“Gimme the Key!” Ajabde took the driver’s seat as Pratap said a small “But…” before placing Brownie at the back and fastening his seat belt as he stared at her sitting at the wheel.

“Jai Bhavani!” Her words made him look wide-eyed as she stared at the wheels.

“Umm… Ajabde.” She didn’t respond as the car drove out to the porch.

“Ajab…” He tried again, seeing her speed, a little scared, “When did you last drive?”

“Licence test, a year and a half ago, maybe.” She shrugged, concentrating on the road as colour flushed out of Pratap’s face. His voice shook. “Hai Eklingji!”

“Hush. Don’t talk or move, or else I will collide” Her words made him feel like jumping out of the car. Marke badla legi yeh ladki!

The car drove through the empty highway at breakneck speed.

Sau kept staring back to see if Ajabde’s car was visible on the horizon. “Aree, chill, everything will be fine.” Chak’s smile faded at her serious look.

“We all want to enjoy this trip. I am scared that too much pushing will hurt Ajabde.” Rukaiya said what Sau wanted to.

“They like each other.” Chaks frowned.

“Love.” Jalal corrected from the driver’s seat, “If they need to cry to flush out the pain, it’s justified, right?” The wives looked at each other, not convinced.

Shakti stopped at the Dhaba, and Jalal did the same after him. They got down. Shakti and Heer’s awkward faces didn’t miss Jalal as he smiled faintly at Rukaiya. He shook his head as Shakti stared across the Dhaba to Heer, smiling at Chak’s joke. Again, she could feel his glance as she stared back with a smile and a nod. Sau saw that and took Heer aside.

“What is happening?”

“What?” Heer looked awkward and confused as Sau giggled.

“Where are they?” Rukaiya’s voice made them worry.

“ Jai mata di, Jai Eklingji, Har Har Mahadev,” Pratap murmured as Brownie sat scared, and Ajabde frowned at the road.

“What the hell, quiet!!” She spoke up at last. Pratap gulped before taking out his cell and dialling a number.

“Shit, he’s calling!” Jalal jumped up from his seat like he had seen a ghost, holding the phone. Everyone rushed to switch off theirs.

“What do I do…” Jalal stared at the ringing phone.

“Come on, yaar! Pick up!” Pratap spoke as Ajabde frowned at him. “Please. The road.” He pointed, scared.

Suddenly, he could spot the cars at the Dhabba as they drove by.

“Areeee roko roko roko!” His shout made Ajabde slam the brakes as the car screeched to a halt, and Pratap’s face slammed into the front glass.

“Ouch!” He rubbed his nose.

“What crap! Why are you shouting?” She looked angry. “We left them… behind… back the car.” He said, pointing.

“I don’t know how to.” She shrugged as he couldn’t believe it. “You don't know how to turn the car?” He asked, astonished.

“Do you know everything?” She taunted.

Shakti, whose life resided in his car, the one he had sacrificed for them, could hear it screech to a halt at a distance.

“They are here!” He appeared alarmed. “I can feel it, that’s my car.” His words made the girls laugh out loud.

“You can feel your car is near?” Chaks taunted. “Are you GPS?”

“Let me do it!” Pratap stepped out of the car, relieved to be in one piece.

“I will walk.” She got down and started walking back to the Dhaba, taking the key along and leaving him no option but to follow with Brownie.

“ I am not joking, she ruined my car!” Shakti looked scared. “That noise was it.”

“ Shakti!” Their call in unison made them look up as Shakti gulped. “Oops,” Heer whispered, amused. “Now you are screwed.”

“Heer Baisa.” He moved behind her. “Apne suhag ki raksha karo!”

“Kya?” Heer frowned as Pratap was right in front of her as she stood between him and Shakti, who looked away.

“ Bhai.” He looked stern as Ajabde gave the same look.

“Actually, Dadabhai,” Heer spoke up softly. “Galti meri hai, Maine hi bola tha isko ke apka car he can’t drive, mujhe hi proof karne ke liye he … Umm… sorry Jija, who aap late ho rahi thi toh mujhe laga aap dono aa jayenge.” Shakti smiled at his saviour.

Pratap could never scold his Choti; they knew that. And Ajab, all she saw was Heer standing up for Shakti and keeping her vows. She smiled faintly.

“Now don’t forget me!” She added as Shakti nodded.

Pratap looked relieved at that as Jalal cornered him with a smirk while Ajabde murmured, "All the driving made me hungry!”

“Puchna bhi maat, aj main maar dalta Shakti ko!” Pratap looked traumatised. “Yaha ek piece mein hoon Maata Ajabde Baisa ki kripa hai!” Jalal laughed hard, saying, “ I am coming with you for the rest of the trip. This sounds amazing.”

Pratap drove his Audi for the rest of the trip with Brownie at the back and Jalal by his side. Ajabde accompanied Heer and Shakti in his love, the Porsche, as she described how well she drove and made Heer and Shakti laugh and laugh.

The milestone now reads Surajgarh 1km. Heer smiled at the passing village as people stopped to fold their hands at the Royals.

“I like the treatment I get here.” Shakti smiled.

“ I will have to check the school,” Ajabde murmured, unmindfully.

The people were already informed of the marriage, and they stood to catch a glimpse of their Choti Kunwarani as she folded her hands elegantly, making Shakti smile. The cars stopped at the project, where the Board read “Udai Ramrakh Welfare Home.” Pratap unknowingly smiled back at Ajabde, who was stepping out of her car to be greeted by the people she loved.

“Gani Khamma Baisa.” Their love was what made her smile as she said, “Khamma Ghani, kaise hai aap sab?”

Mr Rathore walked up to the cars along with Mr Das, who informed Ajabde, “Ma’am, everything is perfect.”

“Good, thank you. Where is Panditji?” Her stern voice of authority was back again.

“Mr Rathore.” Pratap took him aside, “Palace preparations…”

“All are done exactly like you wanted, sir, and… Khamma Gani Ajabde Baisa.” Pratap turned at his words. She appeared with Brownie on his leash, displeased as she smiled, saying, “Gani Khamma Rathore ji, woh jo aarti ka Maine kaha tha…”

“It is ready, Baisa.” He nodded.

“Umm… we should leave?” Pratap asked as she nodded, adding, “Take care of things, Rathore ji.”

“Ji Baisa.” He walked away as Ajabde looked at Brownie. “He’s very sad.”

“Don’t worry, Buddy, once we reach home, you will be free.” Pratap patted him and walked to his car as Ajabde followed in silence. “Home”… Heer’s Home. She smiled.

“Where is Jija?” Heer looked around before cutting the string.

“She is with villagers, come on, cut it!” Jalal managed as Rukaiya smiled. Heer took the scissors, and Shakti held her hand as they cut the ribbon with smiles.

“Kunwarani Baisa ki Jai. Kunwar Shakti ki jai.” The people cheered as Sau added, “I feel I have travelled back 500 years.”

“ Ohho yeh kesar kaha hai?” Ajabde frowned at the aarti thali. “Yeh lijiye Baisa.” A royal maid came running.

“Accha diye jala dena, ghar mein, entrance pe aur mandir mein.” “Ji baisa.”

Pratap watched her run to his home while he unleashed Brownie, who ran up the stairs.

“Aree Brownie!” Ajabde exclaimed.

“He will be fine, he is home,” Pratap added before walking to the door. “Rangoli kaha hai?” He frowned.

“Kyaa?” Ajabde’s exclamation shook the servants and maids. “Kisine Rangoli nahi banayi?”

“Woh Baisa Ranisa hamesha apne haathon se Rangoli Banati hai, toh hum e laga ke…”

“Koi baat nahi” Pratap stopped them “ Main bana dunga.”

“Rama rang ke thaal lana.” Ajabde put down the aarti thali. “ Bade aaye Rangoli banane wale, aata nahi kuch bhi.”

“Kuch kaha apne?” Pratap frowned sarcastically as the maids stared at each other.

“Ji nahi, Rama?” She looked at the maid, who made a dash for it.

This change in Ajabde’s attitude made him smile. She was once again running to his home like she used to help Ranima, maybe Chaks was right. Surajgarh could ease things up.

“Main unka room check karke aata hoon.” He walked up the stairs, and she started to look away when he turned.

Heer was pleasantly surprised at the welcome. Not because she was not used to such royal treatment, but more because when they stepped out on the palace porch, and flower petals rained on them, the folk musicians playing along in a happy tune, she saw Dadabhai step out with a smile and stop. He turned, and Heer and Shakti really couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw Jija step out with the aarti thali in hand.

“Ranima said this needed to be done. And since she is not here…”

Ajabde was explaining as she put down the rice kalash at the door for Heer to tilt before she did their aarti. Rukaiya and Jalal exchanged happy glances with Chaks and Sau. Now this was just like it should be. Only Pratap smiled and walked away as Ajabde took Heer to her new room with the others in tow. Jalal decided to follow him instead and walked out to the lawn where he stood silently.

“Pratap?”

“Hmm?”

“What's going on? Ajabde seems more normal than you…”

“She is doing this for Ranima, that's it.” He wished to believe it, too. Expectations were bad.

Jalal nodded and changed the topic to business.