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 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 she would be in his room again, 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.
"Ajabdeh?" He called again, a little unsure if she had heard him the first time, narrowing his eyes, worried. She was standing there like a statue. Was she alright?
"Hmm?" She managed to make some sound that wouldn't shake her voice. He smiled as he walked up to her. 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 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... Actually..." He stared at her as she said a soft "Hush! Don't say anything. 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, and 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... He was always hers and will always be. His confused stare made her read his mind.
"I..." He tried again as she shook her head. "Please stop." It sounded like a plea escaping her lips like a prayer she desperately wanted to be answered. His heart skipped a beat.
Her eyes filled up again. "I will make the same mistakes again of not trusting you, of not believing you." He looked at her first in shock, then with moist eyes. "Ajab..." He smiled faintly in the tears.
"It was my mistake that I did not wait for you to explain to me... I was self-absorbed and stubborn." She looked distraught.
"NO Ajab, if I were in your place, I would think the same, act the same... I did not even think I needed to explain to you or reach out..." He looked into her eyes with a faint smile on his lips. "I did not even know the news affected you until it was too late."
"I tried to escape from things... I tried to forget you. How could I try to forget you?"
"Hush!" he stopped her with his finger on her lips. "Enough."
"If I made a mistake, why did you not tell me? Scold me? Correct me? " She asked, teary-eyed.
"It was my fault I did not... I was angry that you left... I felt like I had no right to reach out to someone who wants to go away from me." Pratap looked away and back at her as a tear rolled down his face.
"I..." She wanted to apologise.
"Ok, stop!"Ajabdeh sobbed as he hugged her. This time, Ajabdeh hugged him 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. In that moment, those five years melted away, and they felt like they always did when they embraced each other. The sense of warmth, love and familiarity had never left.
"Woof!" Brownie made them jerk apart as he looked unhappy. "Baby." Ajabdeh smiled, calling softly as he went back to sniffing. Human hugs were not his bowl of milk.
"Let bygones be bygones. 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 ." He hugged her again, "Welcome home."
"Say welcome back home." She narrowed her eyes, "It was always my home."
"Welcome back." He smiled and pressed his warm lips against her cold 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.
"Ajabdeh!" Her mother's call made him frown as she wiped away the remaining tears and ran, saying, "Aayi!" 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 Ajabdeh came to her mother's call.
"Where is Aarchi?"
"I send them to rest." Jaivanta smiled.
"Ajabdeh, 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, where is Pratap?" Hansa's words made everyone stare at Ajabdeh, 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, are you coming home?" He asked as Rukaiya smiled.
"Haan Khan Baba, we will go home directly from the party..." Jalal answered.
"I asked you, not anyone else." He stared at Rukaiya and Jalal, who frowned.
"I will see all of you tomorrow."
"Ji Bhaisaab." Jaivanta got up to show him out as Jalal sat unmindfully.
"Should I talk to him?" Ajabdeh asked, concerned as he smiled a soft no and left. Rukaiya followed in tow." You know Khan Baba is upset... Jalal... don't take it to heart, please..." She stopped him as they entered the guest room. "I will convince him this time... I promise."
"Rukaiya, I was thinking..." He stopped."Haan?" She put her hand reassuringly on his shoulder. "Should we move back home?" His words made Rukaiya smile and agree. "To be with him, that will be a great surprise for Khan Baba."
"But your clinic and..." Rukaiya stopped him.
"I can start here."
"Sure?"
"Haan, Khan Baba is getting old; he needs us." 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."When were you gonna tell me, dude?"
"What?" he asked cluelessly.
"Your family is this weird with each other... That Uncle was judging me like I'm a criminal, and to top that, your..." She stopped.
"My?" He asked, frowning.
"Don't mind, I feel Ajabdeh Jija also is weird, especially around Dadabhai Pratap..." She stopped frowning as Patta laughed.
"Let me tell you a story."
"What story?" She asked.
"There was once a prince and a commoner. They fell in love."
"Hein? What crap! I hate love stories,"
"Sunn toh sahi." He made her sit down as he cleared some clouds from Jiwa's mind.
"Oh shit, these two... Pratap Singh is her childhood love. Oh, My God!" She looked startled.
"You are getting as shocked as someone who would want to marry Dadabhai." He frowned.
"Nahi, but... he's handsome, huh?" She smirked as he looked all serious.
"Pratap beta, do you need anything?" Hansa asked as he walked twice past the ladies choosing attire for the party. Heer glanced at Ajabdeh, making her frown.
"Nahi woh... Brownie needs his walk." He smiled at the crowd as Ajabdeh looked away. "Lawn... Walk."
"Dadabhai, check the address of my shipment, please." Heer got up and pulled Pratap to a corner.
"What happened?" She smiled as he handed her phone back.
"What happened?" He looked confused.
"Do you need help?" Heer smiled.
"What help?" He raised his eyebrows.
"First, tell me what happened. Everything okay?" She smiled as he stared at her.
"Everything is perfect." 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.
"Now take Brownie to the lawn, and I will send her there." She smiled with a wink and walked back to the crowd as Pratap walked away. After choosing the dresses as everyone left and Ajabdeh was leaving too, Heer exclaimed a soft "Oh no." That made Ajabdeh turn.
"What happened?" She asked, frowning.
"The details of the shipment were transferred to Dadabhai's tab. I need it." She looked worried as Ajabdeh stared at her suspiciously."Go and take it then." She shrugged.
"How can I now, Jija? Ranima said Mama Mami and Chundawat Kaka would come for lunch. I have to get ready." She stopped. "Can you bring it to me, please?" Her last words made Ajabdeh's frown disappear as she said, "Is it the shipment or did he have a conversation with you?" That made her smile give way before she regained her composure to say, "I do not understand what you are saying."
"Really?" Ajabdeh shook her head. "Where is he?"
"Walking Brownie." She pointed. "Lawn." She grinned. As Ajabdeh 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.
"Tell someone not to summon me without reason. It attracts attention." Made him frown at her. "When did I... you came here on your own." He shrugged.
"Accha?" She stared at him, making him look away. "Heer is my sister, I know when she lies. Now give me her shipment details. She wants your Tab."
"Come take it." He smiled, amused, making her look a little taken aback.
"Kunwar Pratap Singh, you do know how much preparation is left for the party and so little time? Ranima kya kya sambhalegi?"
"Toh? Five minutes of your time is fine." He made a sad face that made her smile.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" She asked with a sigh.
"Hein?" He asked, confused. "Kya?"
"I dunno, something you should say?" She asked, fed up. "Thank You?" He asked again.
"Leave it." She shrugged.
"No, tell me."
"I said leave it." She turned to leave as he caught her wrist.
"Say what, Please."
"Princy! Stop." 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 Ajabdeh pushed away, saying, "Mamaji is here."
"Haan Mami too." He shrugged, remembering the gossip mill as she stared at him coldly. He shrugged. "She will say, Ajab beta, how are you here? Are you unwell?" He made a face imitating her as Ajabdeh laughed.
"She will ask me, what is it to you?"
"Then she will ask Where did Pratap go? Did he leave for London? Is he not coming back?" He imitated again as she slapped his hand.
"Enough now!"
"Are you hitting me?" He asked wide-eyed. She hit again as he said "Tu Ruk" and ran after her through the lawn with Brownie following them excitedly. Whatever this game was, he wanted to play!
"Stop it, someone might see us." She giggled as she ran.
"Then stop running." He held her by the waist and pulled her close. "I missed you." She spoke as he smiled, "Me too."
"Now let me go."
"I won't. I can't." Pratap's words made her look at him with a smile as her cheeks grew warm and she smiled.
"I have to meet the guests." She reminded him. Brownie was not happy that the Hoomans stopped running, so he busied himself with smelling the grass for treasures. Perhaps he could dig when they were not looking and taste some soil. It did look yummy.
"You seem to be in a hurry to meet Mamisa..."
"Yes, she comes with proposals." She giggled.
"Rishtey?" He frowned.
"Yes, once she told Maasa she had a good proposal for Heer, and she was only sixteen then." She giggled.
"You didn't tell me." He frowned.
She smiled. "Now let me go."
"Nahi." He tightened his grip.
"Jaane do..." "Nahi."
"Khan Baba," She stared across him as he jumped away, scared, and she giggled as she ran away. Brownie was attracted by that and ran after her.
Heer came into the room with a wide smile as Shakti pointed at her boxes, saying, "Your shipments arrived."
"Shakti!" Her excited smile made him look a little wide-eyed as she came up to him. "I am so happy, you know what..." She hugged him as he looked clueless and numb. "You were right! You were right and I was wrong... But I am so happy I was wrong..."
"Umm... what?" he managed to find a voice, unsure if he should hug back. Heer realised her position and moved away awkwardly.
"Sorry, I...." She looked awkward as he asked, staring
"What happened?"
"Dadabhai and Jija... they..." Her smile made him smile "Really?" She nodded as he hugged her. Heer was happy to hug back as he said, "I told you."
"I talked to Dadabhai." She jumped childishly. "I am so excited."
"Me too, we will tease them again?" He caught both her hands as she said, "No. We can't tell anyone until he tells Ranima, I promised him."
"This time we will get them married before they screw up." He smiled excitedly. "It was my childhood dream to dance at their wedding." 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 has summoned you. Mamasa is here."
"We will be right there." Shakti spoke as she left and added to Heer, "Mami!" making her giggle.
"Tell me if Dadabhai told you not to tell anyone, why did you tell me?" Shakti asked as she replied, "But you are... you!" Her smile faded as he looked pleased and asked, "Matlab?"She moved over to the shipment and took out a box.
"I don't know, see this." She handed it to him. "Your 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. "Can I wear this at the party?" She nodded a happy yes. He was trying it over his clothes as she frowned."Ahem! Are you forgetting something?"
"What?" he asked cluelessly.
"My gift!" She shrugged."Oh," He grinned as he took the box out of the luggage and handed it to her.
"This is how you give things?" She asked, frowning.
"How does one give a gift?" He asked, confused.
"How do you know nothing when you had so many girlfriends?" She gave him a hopeless look.
"O Madam, Shakti Singh never needed to give gifts."
"They still stayed? Ishh." She taunted.
"How does one give gifts?" 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. Her words made him smile as he put the pendant around 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 that 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.
"There you go, see." His words made her stare at his smile through the mirror as she managed to say "Thank you." She smiled faintly and ran out, confusing Shakti as he observed her looking flustered.
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