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 Ajabde’s soft sobs seemed like clouds on it. Gulping hard he found a voice.
“Ajab.”
Ajabde closed her eyes as her name from his mouth 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. One month back when she sent out Heer's wedding invites she had stopped while writing Rani Jaivanta Bai Singh. Her heart had skipped a beat in a hidden wish she denied wishing even to herself. Had she ever thought a month later she would be in his room and it would be the ray of light in her darkness? She wiped the tears as fast as she could. Her tears always ached in his heart. She had hurt enough already.
"Ajabde?" He called again a little unsure, narrowing his eyes worried. She was standing there like a statue. Was she all right even?
"Hmm?"
She managed to make some sound that wouldn't shake her voice. He smiled as he walked up to her as she wiped away the tears and turned. Their eyes met and he could see she had cried, the tip of her nose was a cute red one when she cried. She could see worry in his moist eyes, worry and that twinkle that always made her heart beat and her cheeks warm. They stared at each other as he slowly came closer. Each step towards happiness. Her Happiness, Their Happiness. Her heart raced.
“I…” He found his voice. "I... Yeh sab... Actually..." He stared at her as she said a soft "Hush!"
“Kuch mat kehna. Please. Kuch mat kehna” She looked up with dejected eyes as he stared confused. Have I offended her? Again?
“Kya…” He started to get confused. "But..." She doesn't want to hear me explain things?
He was dying to tell her what happened with Phool Kanwar. That she was just an acquaintance he went to dinner with, with a few friends, that he was so miffed by the media that he switched off his phone. That he had no idea she would lose trust or leave. That he came back for her. That it was always her. Always was her and will be. His confused stare made her read his mind.
He walked up to her as she wiped away the tears and turned. Eyes met as he could see she had cried, the tip of her nose was a cute red one when she cried.
“I…” He found his voice.
“Kuch mat kehna.” She looked up with dejected eyes as he stared confused. Had he offended her? Again?
“Main…” Her eyes filled up again.
“Main dobara ek hi galti karungi, tumhe trust na karne ki galti, tumko na samajhne ki galti.” He looked at her first in shock then with moist eyes.
“Ajab…” He smiled faintly in the tears.
“Nahi, meri galti hain ke maine, kabhi yeh na socho ki tum kaise…. Main kitni selfish bann gayi thi.” She looked distraught.
“Nahi Ajab, tumhare jagah main hota toh main bhi… mera galti tha ke maine tumko kabhi contact nahi kia...” He looked into her eyes with a faint smile on his lips.
“Tum yeh sab mein… aur maine sab kuch bhulna chaha, bhagna chahti thi main… main itni…. Galat kaise…”
“Hush!” he stopped her with his finger on her lips. “Bas karo.”
“Meri galti thi na tum sudhare kyun nahi? Daate kyon nahi?” She asked teary eyed.
“Mera bhi tha galti… main… mujhe laga maine apna sara haq kho diya…” Pratap looked away and back at her as a tear rolled down his eyes.
“Main….main…” She wanted to apologise. “Ok stop!”
Ajabde sobbed as he hugged her. This time, Ajabde hugged back with her hands on his back as she rested her face on his chest and his chin on her head. She closed her eyes trying to sink into the hug.
“Woof!” Brownie made them jerk apart as he looked unhappy.
“Baby.” Ajabde smiled, calling softly as he went back to sniffing. Human hugs were not his bowl of milk.
“Galtiyaan chodo, can I have my Strange Girl back?” He smiled as he wiped her tears then his own.
She smiled back saying “ Wasn’t she always yours Pratap?”
“Umm Hmm… Princy Bolo.” He hugged her again, “Welcome home.”
“Nahi, welcome back bolo.” She narrowed her eyes, “Home toh mera hi tha, hamesha se.”
“Welcome back.” He smiled and pressed his lips against her forehead making her blush a little. They stared at each other with smiles. They never needed explanations. They knew in their hearts that the trust was back and never to go again. He touched his forehead with hers.
“Ajabde!” Her mother’s call made him frown as she wiped away the remaining tears and ran saying “Ayi!” She stopped at the threshold and turned back as he smiled. She smiled back before running down the
corridor and he held Brownie close with a happy smile as he wiped away his tears.
Jaivanta and Hansa were sitting with Rukaiya and Jalal when Ajabde came to her mother’s call.
“Where is Aarchi?”
“I send them to rest.” Jaivanta smiled.
“Ajabde, we are planning a surprise for Heer and Shakti at tomorrow’s party.” Rukaiya smiled excitedly.
“Surprise?” She raised her brows. “Like?” “Listen na!” Jalal smiled as she sat down.
“Aree Pratap kaha hai?” Hansa’s words made everyone stare at Ajabde who looked a little red and was sure to be caught but thank god for Khan Baba. The man walked in and frowned at everyone.
“Rukaiya, ghar aaoge na?” He asked as Rukaiya smiled.
“Haan Khan Baba hum kal ke party se sidha ghar hi…”
“Maine tumhara pucha kisi aur ka nahi.” He stared at Jalal who frowned. “Kal milte hai, main aata hoon.”
“Ji Bhaisaab.” Jaivanta got up to show him out as Jalal sat unmindfully.
“Main baat karu unse?” Ajabde asked, concerned as he smiled a soft no and left.
Rukaiya followed in toe.
“You know Khan Baba naraz hai na… Jalal… dil pe mat lo please…” She stopped him as they entered the guest room. “ Main… mana lungi unko isbaar pakka…”
“Rukaiya main soch raha tha…” He stopped.
“Haan?” She put her hand reassuringly on his shoulder.
“Hum agar Delhi wapas aa gaye toh?” His words made Rukaiya smile and agree.
“Lekin tumhara waha clinic aur…” Rukaiya stopped him. “Yaha bhi ho jayega sab.”
“Sure?”
“Haan, Khan Baba ko chod ke nahi jaenge.” She smiled as Jalal hugged her.
Patta walked into Jiwa’s room unnoticed with a “Hi.” As he approached from behind. Jiwa pushed him away with a frown.
“Kab batane wala tha?”
“Kya?” he asked cluelessly.
“Tere family mein aise ajeeb log hai. Ek woh Uncle kaise ghoor rahe thee, upar se yeh tere…” She stopped.
“Mere?” He asked, frowning.
“Don’t mind mujhe yeh Ajabde Jija bhi thodi ajeeb lagti especially jab Pratap Singh samne hota hai…” She stopped frowning as Patta laughed.
“Chal tujhe kahani batata hoon.” “Kaisi kahani?” She asked.
“Ek prince tha aur ek commoner thi… unka love story tha…” “Hein? What crap!”
“Sunn toh sahi.” He made her sit down as he cleared some clouds from Jiwa’s mind.
“Oh shit, yeh dono… Pratap Singh ke bachpan ka pyaar? Oh, My God!” She looked startled.
“Tut oh aise baat kar rahi jaise shadi ka sapna tha Dadabhai se.” He frowned.
“Nahi but… he’s handsome huh?” She smirked as he looked all serious.
“Pratap beta kuch chahiye tumko?” Hansa asked as he walked twice past the ladies choosing attires for the party. Heer glanced at Ajabde making her frown.
“Nahi woh… Brownie ko walk pe le ja raha hoon.” He smiled at the crowd as Ajabde looked away. “Lawn pe. Walk.”
“Accha? Dadabhai woh mera shipment aa raha aap ekbar address check kar lo please.” Heer got up and pulled Pratap to a corner.
“Kya hua?” She smiled.
“Kya?” He looked up after checking the address on her tab. “Apko help chahiye?” Heer smiled.
“Kaisa help?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Pehle batao… kya hua?” She smiled as he stared at her. “Sab thik?” “Bohot thik.” He smiled awkwardly.
“Sach.” Heer was about to jump when he said “Hush.” “Okay, yay!”
“Not a word to anyone until I tell Ranima.”
“Samjhi.” She put her hand on her mouth. “Ab aap lawn pe jao main bhejti hoon Jija ko.” She smiled and walked back to the crowd as Pratap walked away.
After choosing the dresses as everyone left and Ajabde was leaving too, Heer exclaimed a soft “Oh no.” That made Ajabde turn.
“What happened?” She asked, frowning.
“Woh mera Tab reh gaya Dadabhai ke paas, I need it.” She looked worried as Ajabde stared at her suspiciously.
“Toh jaa ke le lo.” She shrugged.
“Aree kaise Jija apko toh pata hai na aj Mama Mami aur Chundawat Kaka bhi aane wale hai, woh bhi lunch se pehle… Ranima ne kaha hai taiyar hona hai.” She stopped. “Aap le ao na please?”
Her last words made Ajabde’s frown disappear as she said “Tab sach mein galti se reh gaya ya he had a conversation with you?” That made
Heer's smile gave away before she regained her composure to say “Aap kya bol rahi samajh nahi aa raha.”
“Really?” Ajabde shook her head. “Ja rahi hoon, Kaha milega?”
“Walking Brownie.” She pointed. “Lawn.” She grinned. As Ajabde walked out Heer ran upstairs to the balcony that gave a good view of the lawn.
“Brownie.” Her call made him smile as he stopped and Brownie ran to her.
“Kisi se keh dena ke bina baat ken a bulaye.” Made him frown at her. “Maine kaha bulaya tum khud ayi.” He shrugged.
“Accha?” She stared at him, making him look away. “Heer behen hai meri. Main janti hoon usse. Tab do uska.”
“Le lo aake.” He grinned, making her look a little taken aback.
“Kunwar Pratap Singh, apko pata hai na kitna kaam hai yaha party ka? Ranima kya kya sambhalegi?”
“Toh? Paanch minute ruk jao.” He made a sad face that made her smile. “Kya hai?”
“Kya hai?” He asked back.
“Tumhe nahi lagta tum kuch bhool rahe ho?”
“Hein?” He asked, confused. “Kya?”
“I dunno, jo tumko kehni chahiye?” She asked, fed up. “Kya? Thank You?” He asked again.
“Jaane do chodo.” She shrugged. “Nahi batao.”
“Nahi Jaane do.” She turned to leave as he caught her wrist. “Bolo na. Please.”
“Princy! Tang mat karo.” Her words made him smile at her as he pulled her close making her blush. A car at the front gate grabbed their attention as Ajabde pushed away saying “Mamaji aa gaye.”
“Haan Mami bhi.” He shrugged remembering the gossip mill as she stared at him coldly.
“Kya?”He shrugged. “Kahengi Ajabde beta tum yaha… Kaise?” He made a face imitating her as Ajabde laughed.
“Mujhse puchenge na tumko kya?”
“Phir kahenge Pratap nahi dikh raha, ghar chod ke London chala gaya kya?” He imitated again as she slapped his hand.
“Enough now!”
“Maar rahi?” He asked wide-eyed.
“Haan toh?” She hit again as he said “Tuh ruk” and ran after her through the lawn.
“Stop it, koi dekh lega.” She giggled as she ran.
“Toh stop running.” He held her by the waist and pulled her close. “I missed you.” She spoke as he smiled “Me too.”
“Chalo jaane do.”
“Badi jaldi hai Mami se milne ka…”
“Haan, unke paas toh rishte bhi hote.” She giggled. “Rishtey?” He frowned.
“Haan, ekbar she said Ma ko Heer ke liye accha rishta hai, Choti bas 16 saal ki thi.” She giggled.
“You didn’t tell me.” He frowned.
“Kya batati? Hum itna hase.” She smiled. “Chalo chodo.” “Nahi.” He tightened his grip.
“Chodo…” “Nahi.”
“Khan Baba” She stared across him as he jumped away scared and she giggled as she ran away.
Heer ran into the room with a wide smile as Shakti pointed at her boxes saying “Kuch aya tumhara Maine le li.”
“Shakti!” Her excited smile made him look a little wide-eyed as she came up to him. “I am so happy,tumhe pata hai woh…woh…” She hugged him as he looked clueless and numb. “Tum sahi thee, Tum sahi thee aur main galat thi…”
“Kya?” he managed to find a voice, unsure if he should hug back. Heer realised her position and moved away awkwardly.
“Sorry woh….” She looked awkward as he asked, staring “Kya hua?”
“Dadabhai aur Jija… they…” Her smile made him smile “Sach?” She nodded as he hugged her. Heer was happy to hug back as he said
“Maine kaha tha na?”
“Main abhi abhi baat karke ayi Dadabhai se. Eeeee” She jumped childishly. “I am so excited.”
“Haan me too. Phir Se chirhayenge?” He caught both her hands as she said “Aree nahi, unhone kaha kisi ko mat batana jab tak he doesn’t tell Ranima.”
“Shadi karva denge dono ki bohot maza aega.” He smiled excitedly. “Mera toh bachpan ka sapna thaa.” She looked more excited.
“Kunwaranisa.” A lady in waiting stood at the threshold as they realised their hands were in each other’s and moved away.
“Ranisa ne niche bulaya hai after 5 mins, Mamasa aur Mamisa ayi hai.”
“Thik hai aap jaiye.”Shakti spoke as she left and added to Heer “Mami!” making her giggle.
“Acha ye batao, Dadabhai ne bolne se mana kia toh mujhe kyun batayi?” Shakti asked as she replied “Tum toh tum ho na!” Her smile faded as he looked pleased and asked “Matlab?”
She moved over to the shipment and took out a box.
“Woh chodo, Pehle yeh dekho.” She handed it to him. “Tumhara gift.”
“Really?” Shakti opened the box like a child, found a toy and looked at the suit happily.
“This is….” He smiled. “Brilliant.” “Sure?” She asked doubtfully.
“Haan.” He smiled. “Kal party mein pehnu?” She nodded a happy yes. He was trying it over his clothes as she frowned.
“Ahem! Are you forgetting something?” “Kya?” he asked cluelessly.
“Mera gift!” She shrugged.
“Ohh” He grinned as he took the box out of the luggage and handed it to her.
“Aise dete?” She asked, frowning.
“Toh kaise dete?” He asked, confused.
“Kuch bhi na pata kaha se aate itne girlfriends?” She gave him a hopeless look.
“O Madam, kisiko kabhi gifts na diya yeh Shakti Singh.” “Phir bhi aati? Wshh.” She taunted.
“Kaise dete?” He frowned again. She took the box and went over in front of the mirror. She opened it as he walked up behind her confused.
“Pehna do.” She gave him the box. “Kya?” He asked.
“Pendant. Pehna do.” Her words made him smile as he put the pendant across her neck and made her smile as she looked at it in the mirror. Sweeping her hair aside he hooked it. What Shakti missed was as soon as he swiped the hair, Heer’s smile faded as the tingling sensation in her stomach made its way back and she couldn’t shake it off. She had no idea why she felt so nervous as his hand brushed her neck.
“Ho, gaya see.” His words made her stare at his smile through the mirror as she managed to say “Thank you.”
“Chale?” He asked as she frowned. “Kaha?”
“Niche… Ranima…”
“Haan.” She smiled faintly and kind of ran out confusing Shakti.
