At dawn, Jaivanta and Hansa were busy preparing for the journey. Pratap walked in as they frowned.
“Where were you so early?”
“We can’t leave Sau and the baby behind and aap bhi bimar ho. So I booked a private Jet. For us all.”
“A private Jet?” Chaks looked wide-eyed. “The perks of having rich friends.” He taunted.
“Nahi, it’s for my princess, tum chup raho,” Pratap spoke as he handed Chaks the details.
“Main chalta hoon.”
“Aree kaha? Breakfast toh karke jao.” Hansa spoke up.
“Nahi Mausi project ka kaam hai.” Aur pata nahi woh kya decide kare…
Heer walked down the stairs with Shakti on her toe.
“Main jaa raha hoon Bhaijaan aur Aapa ke paas, unko saare details inform karke I will be back for the packing” Shakti spoke up.
“Aur packing?” Heer frowned. “Kal all night you packed your stuff.” “Aree, Matlab in general packing.” he shrugged.
“Aree aj toh koi bhi breakfast karke nahi ja rahe.” Jaivanta said worriedly.
“Ranima. Kya hua?” Ajabde’s voice of authority alarmed Heer and Shakti. They were always scared of this mood.
“Dekho beta koi…”
“Koi bhi bina breakfast ke bahar kadam bhi nahi rakhega.” She announced and made Pratap smile. “Samjhe?” She stared at Shakti who shook his head in quick agreement.
“Main Sau aur baby ko dekh ke aati hoon.” She told her mother and turned to go, “Uske baad I have some work at the office, I will be late aap intezaar mat karna mera”
She walked away as Pratap frowned.
Heer was at the Boutique with her manager Veer.
“Listen, make sure the movers and packers don’t break anything. And you can come to work with me in Delhi if you want. I can’t lose you.”
“Ma’am.” Veer smiled. “I have a family here, my kid has school. I hope you understand.”
“Yes of course I do.” Heer smiled. “I will miss you.”
“Ma'am, whenever you come here, do keep in touch,” Veer spoke teary-eyed as Heer hugged her.
“You go now, the packers will be here at dawn and you are in charge.” “Yes, Ma’am don’t worry.” Veer wiped away the tears as she said bye.
Heer looked around the empty boutique absentminded. So many memories. Right from the day she dreamt of being a designer, she had told Jija first. Then Shakti. Shakti is the one who encouraged her while Jija readily made an initial investment, made her study at NIFT and got her this boutique. How could she ever repay all that? Maybe by giving Jija back everything she lost. Heer sniffed as she looked around, each corner of this small place she had made with her choice, each corner had memories, her clients, the first shipments to Delhi and Mumbai. The first awards and appreciation. She realised in all this every time, she had called Jija first then Shakti. Shakti had never doubted her talent. She smiled. Her phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Are you okay?” Shakti’s concerned voice made her frown. “Haan babah haan. Main pehli ladki na hoon jo…”
The sound at the door made her frown as she turned.
“Sorry, we are… Closed.” She stared at the door wide-eyed. “Tum?” Toranmal was glad to find her alone as he smirked.
“Tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?” She shouted, annoyed. “Get out of here right now.”
“Hello… Heer… kaun hai? Hello…” Shakti was scared as the phone got disconnected he grabbed his car keys.
“Bail milte hi main tumse milne aya. Pata hai kyun?” He taunted. “Yeh dekhne ke liye ke mere se acchi toh tum kon karne lagi.”
“Toranmal just leave.” Heer looked scared. And angry.
“Abhi abhi to aya hoon.” Toranmal sat down on the sofa beside the entrance as Heer gulped.
“Accha fasa li, Kunwar Shakti Singh ko. Rajkumar wah!” His taunt angered Heer some more.
“Tumse koi matlab nahi …”
“Matlab hai… hai matlab… yeh jo mere family ka bezzati hua paper mein, media mein…. Tumhare karan… uska badla toh mujhe hi lena hoga na.” He got up.
“Surajgarh ki Kunwaranisa. Heer Kanwar.” “Mere paas mat aana.” She stepped back.
“Kyun? Sati Savitri ho? Ya phir darr hai ke kahi tumhe galat samajh ke woh chhod na de…”
“Mujhe woh kabhi galat samajh hi nahi sakta.” Heer believed her words as she said those, “Mujhe tum jaise janwar se baat nahi karni.”
“Ohho Pyaar hai? Itne kam time mein pyar ho gaya?” Toranmal taunted again. “Mujhse toh ek saal mein na hua. Kamal hai.”
The door opening made them turn as a relieved smile filled Heer’s face. Shakti stood there for a moment before asking surprised “Totamal? How on earth did you get out of that cage?”
“ I am here to talk to her, she is my ex-fiance.” Toranmal looked at Heer who was still helplessly staring at Shakti. Shakti did what Heer never expected of him. He stood between her and the man, his back to her as he said in a cold firm voice “She is MY WIFE.”
Toranmal looked up at Shakti’s eyes as he continued “And next time I see you, or your family ever near her, I will punch you in the face, now get lost!”
“Jaa raha hoon, bade log ho toh kya sach sach nahi? Isne fasaya tumko. Bataya isne mere saath kya kya…” A punch made him fall on the ground as Heer gasped “Shakti!”
“Next time I will kill you.” His words scared Heer.
“Hello Udaipur Police, Kunwar Shakti Singh of Surajgarh speaking.” Toranmal sat on the floor holding his bleeding nose as Shakti talked to the police who took him away. Heer felt like the last thirty minutes were in a trance. As they were left alone again, Shakti turned to face her.
“Tum thik ho?”
“I … never…. With him… I…”
“Hush.” His finger on her lips stopped her as he said “I know.”
“How…” Her mouth dried up as he removed the finger. “How do you know?”
“Because I know you.”
He smiled as she hugged him in an impulse. She couldn’t thank him enough for being there ever. She could never have done what he did for her all this while. Heer closed her eyes as she felt his heartbeat and let her tears flow. Seeing that man in front of her made her emotional again. He was the reason Shakti was dragged into his mess.
Shakti froze at the moment like a statue as she hugged him. He feared she could feel his heart beat faster. He felt strange and complete as he hugged her back tightly as her sobs haunted him.
“Hush.” He remembered the time Jija and Aapa had asked him if he loved her. He had denied them immediately. But today what if they ask him? Could he deny so fast? He was not sure. Her sobs stopped seeing that he was quiet, had she offended him with the hug? What was she thinking?
Heer drew away as a sudden feeling of something missing ached his heart. He looked into her tearful eyes and smiled an assuring smile wiping away her tears.
“Ghar chale?” He asked as she sniffed. “Nahi mujhe thoda kaam hai tum jao.” “Are you sure?” He asked worriedly.
“Haan” she smiled reassuringly.
“Thik hai, call me if you need me ok?”
“Haan.” Heer saw him turn to leave. “Shakti.” Her call stopped him as he turned with a smile.
“Ghar pe mat batana, Ranima pareshaan hongi.” Her words made him agree before he left.
Ajabde was in her office. Her wall now displayed two new frames, one of herself with Archi and another of Heer and Shakti with her and Ranima at the wedding. She was busy with the files she needed to take and the ones Mr Das needed to take care of. The knock on her door made her look up as Heer walked in worried.
“Choti?” She frowned. “Weren’t you at the ….” “Jija woh Totamal aya tha…”
“Kaun?” She frowned.
“Ohho yeh Shakti bhi na… Toranmal aya tha.” Heer looked worried as Ajabde stood up.
“Shakti came thik time pe aur…” That made Ajabde smile. “I am worried.”
“Kyun?” Ajabde asked, confused. “Ab kya hua?” “Woh… he said he will kill him agar dobara aaya toh…”
Ajabde hid laughter in her smile as she said “Shakti ne thik kiya.”
“He punched the man.” Heer still looked startled. “Blood aya uska I was….”
“You were?” Ajabde gave half a smile as the door opened without a knock and Pratap entered to see Heer there.
He was a little taken aback as he hoped to find Ajabde alone and Ajabde frowned at his authority of not knocking.
“Choti? What’s wrong?” He asked worriedly.
“Shakti punched Toranmal.” Heer’s hands were on her mouth.
“Kyaaa?” Pratap looked wide-eyed as Ajabde smiled and he broke into laughter.
“Dadabhai aap has rahe ho, yahan main itni dari hui hoon.” Heer frowned.
“Come again, who punched whom?” He chuckled amused.
“Shakti…” Pratap laughed again, making Heer go “Rehne do aap dono.” She walked out as Pratap called after her “Aree Choti suno toh.” “He punched someone!” Ajabde spoke in awe.
“For her.” He smiled as eyes met. “I… wanted to…” The door opened again as Ajabde frowned some more.
Patta peeped at Pratap and Ajabde.
“Tu yaha kaise? College…” Ajabde stopped as he entered with a sheepish smile with a girl about his age in toe. She was in jeans and a top, her hair semi-curled and held back with a hairband and she looked a little uneasy.
“Yeh kaun?” Pratap asked with an amused smile.
“Woh Jija hume aap se baat karni thi…” Patta looked at Pratap confused “But agar aap busy…”
“Hum e?” Pratap raised his eyebrows at the duo. “yeh… Jiwa hai.” Patta smiled.
“Hi.” Jiwa gave an unsure smile to Ajabde and Pratap walked up to her. “Hi Jiwa Pratap Singh here.” He shook her hand.
“Of Course Sir! Aap Ko kaun nahi janta” She appeared star struck.
“Ahem!” Ajabde’s voice made him let go as Patta looked worried “You are here because?” Ajabde’s stern voice made him gulp.
“Actually kya hai na… ke hum sab toh Delhi ja rahe…”
“Excuse me” Ajabde frowned. “yeh kisne bola ke sab jaa rahe.” “Inhone.” Patta pointed at Pratap. “Kal he called me.”
“Tumhara college hai na…” Ajabde ignored Pratap’s glances seeking her decision.
“Wohi toh, Holiday hai aur yeh Jiwa hai na, she is a history student, she is making a project on Rajputs and Mughals.”
“Toh?” Ajabde looked at the duo a little amused.
“Toh Rajput part she completed and Mughal part ke liye isko Delhi jana hai, kya yeh hamare saath aa sakti hai?”
“Of course!” Pratap spoke before Ajabde could open her mouth.
“Of Course aa sakti hai, after all, she is family right?” He smiled at the blushing duo.
“Ek minute.” Ajabde stopped the excited bunch. “Tumhare parents…” “Haan woh unko koi problem nahi hai…” Jiwa opened her mouth.
“It’s fine, thodi hitler types hai daro maat.” Pratap words made Patta look wide-eyed and hopeful as Ajabde ignored him.
“Theek hai fir, ghar ka main kya bolu.” Ajabde looked away as Pratap frowned at her. Patta and Jiwa looked relieved.
“Mr. Das. Sab ke liye coffee lana please, Jiwa pehli baar ayi humse milte.” Pratap smiled as Ajabde said a small “But my office…”
In five minutes the trio had occupied the sofa in her chamber and had begun a chitchat. Jiwa looked around and spotted Aarchi’s picture as she said without a thought “Apki beti hai? Bahut cute hai.” Ajabde looked up wide-eyed as Pratap smiled amused and Patta gulped.
“Meri niece hai, thank you. Can this chat session go to the waiting area please?” The last words were meant for Patta who was about to get up but Pratap caught his hand and made him sit down again. He loved to irk her.
“Toh Jiwa yaha kya research kia?”
“Maharana Pratap per Mainly, how his family helped him in his battle and sacrifice is amazing…unki ma…”
“Hmm,” Pratap seemed too interested as Patta took a sip of his coffee looking at Ajabde and staring at them from her seat really fed up.
“Aur Maharana Pratap ki patni Ajabde baisa…” Patta choked on his coffee as Jiwa looked worried.
“Chup ho ja meri maa.” He begged.
“Okay, that’s it.” Ajabde stood up as the trio looked wide-eyed. “In the waiting area, right NOW!” Patta took Jiwa’s hand as he almost ran out, as she appeared clueless and Pratap picked up his coffee and left calmly with a smirk.
Heer was in the waiting area, on the phone with Rukaiya when she kept and turned to see her younger brother running towards her, holding a girl’s hand.
“Patta!” She exclaimed surprised as Patta stopped before her.
“Heer. Yaha?” Patta let go of the hand as Heer stared at it amused. “Yeh…”
“Jiwa hai… She is…” Pratap walked behind them with an amused smile. “She is?”
“Umm… My nice friend.” Patta spoke as Heer murmured, “Nice.” With a smile.
Shakti entered the office to see Heer and frowned “Patta? Who is this?”
“His nice friend.” Heer smiled amused as Shakti smirked “Ohho Nice Nice!” and surprised him with a hug. “Dadabhai aap yaha?”
“Haan main…” Pratap stopped giving him a cold look. “Tum yaha?” “Haan mujhe Jija se…”
“Koi kaam thik se na hota yahan… main na dekhu toh…” Ajabde stormed out of her chamber with Mr Das in toe murmuring quick apologies as she stopped at the sitting area and frowned.
“Yeh sab ab bhi hai yaha? Ghar nahi hai jaane ko?” She spoke to Heer as she looked away.
“Jija mujhe apse…” Shakti started as Ajabde stopped him.
“Haan haan baat karni, aj sab ko karni, chalo.” She walked back to her chamber as he followed.
“Woh tota…”
“Aya that, I know.” Ajabde sat down.
“Uske against harassment case file kare toh…”
“Maine baat kar li.” Again Pratap walked in without a knock as Ajabde spoke up “Akele ka matlab samajh mein aata ki nahi?”
“ Ho jaega case.” He spoke to Shakti ignoring her.
“I am worried for Heer, she was upset.” Shakti frowned absentminded as Pratap and Ajabde shared a quick glance.
“Aur?” Ajabde asked hopefully.
“Aur she cried, mujhe bura laga bohot…” “Aur?” Pratap smiled.
“Aur ajeeb sa…” He looked at the duo as he said “Kya aur aur?” “ You…” Ajabde started the question he dreaded.
“No I don’t love her, I don’t I don’t!” Shakti spoke a little alarmed as Ajabde looked amused adding “I didn’t even ask that!”
“Aap dono bahut bure ho pata hai? Bohat!” He stared at them as they could read his thoughts. Could Heer too? He rushed out as Pratap
called after him “Bhai sunn…”
He was running towards the door when he bumped into Heer and their foreheads collided.
“Ouch!” Both stared as Patta laughed amused.
“Aap dono bahut acche lagte ho saath.” Jiwa’s compliment made them look awkward as they murmured “Thank you.” In unison.
“Chalo Shakti Dadabhai, ghar chalte.” Patta spoke as Heer followed with Jiwa adding with a smile “Jiwa ko sabse milna hai na?” as she blushed.
“Haan, nice friend hai Patta ki.” Shakti smiled at Patta.
Pratap smiled at the door before turning to Ajabde who was back at her file.
“Maine Cars arrange Kia for everyone so that Aarchi can go.” “Accha…” She didn’t look up.
“Haan taaki kisiko na jaane ka koi option hi na mile.” His words made her look up as he gave half a smile and added “Ghar pe milte hai.” Before he walked out she smiled at her file.
Ajabde walked in after a tired day to find a bunch of excited people in the hall. Jiwa was between the mothers on the sofa talking about her research. Patta was staring with a smile. Shakti was showing Jiwa the places they could visit on the Delhi trip. Sau was helping with dinner.
Chaks was holding Aarchi as she slept and… she looked around to spot Brownie running towards her excitedly as she smiled and knelt down patting the dog.
“Hey, baby.” She giggled softly at the lick. ``Yes, yes I am home.”
Her eyes stopped at him on the stairs, he was actually running after Brownie but had stopped midway as all eyes were on them, even though they acted otherwise. Pratap walked down and stared at the crowd as they looked away. Only poor Jiwa was still talking about her project clueless.
“We are going to have an early dinner,” Hansa told Kaka as Pratap walked over to Chaks and smiled as Aarchi blinked her eyes.
“Mausi, Aj dinner duty mera.” Sau smiled.
“Tum ko maine rest bola tha.” Hansa frowned at Sau.
“Choti kaha hai?” Ajabde’s words made everyone stare at Shakti as he murmured “Umm…packing?” Ajabde shook her head at his cluelessness and walked up the stairs with Brownie in toe.
Heer was teary-eyed as she put a framed photo of her’s with Jija in the last bag. Ajabde stopped at the threshold as Heer controlled her tears. Ajabde walked in and sat beside her on the carpet. A small silence was followed by Heer’s sniff as Ajabde asked a soft “All packed?”
“Haan” she tried hard to sound normal as she looked away appearing busy. Ajabde held her hand as she looked up at Ajabde’s teary eyes and lost composure. Heer hid her face in Ajabde’s lap as she caressed her sister’s hair.
“Ek na ek din tum dono ko jana hai.”Hansa was braiding Ajabde’s hair and she in turn was braiding Heer’s as they sat in a line on the floor of their home. They had just come back home from a wedding and Hansa smiled pleased as everyone praised Ajabde’s nature Jaivanta told her “Kab yeh dono bade honge aur…” watching Pratap and Ajabde together.
“Pehle Ajabde phir …” She added with a smile.
“Maa mujh e kahi nahi jana.” Ajabde frowned. “Heer ko bhejo kahi bhi!”
“Kyun?” Heer smirked “ Ladai hui apka phir se?” Ajabde looked wide-eyed at her as Hansa hid a smile and walked away. Ajabde pulled Heer by her hair as she said “Ahh Jija!”
“Ma ke samne mazak karne se kitni baar mana kia hai?” she scolded.
“Ohho jija jaise unko pata hi nahi ke roz subah Ranima ke aarti mein kya hota hai?” Heer giggled.
“Kya hota hai?” Ajabde frowned again. “Dekha maine aur Shakti ne…”
“Kya dekha? Kuch bhi ulta sidha…” She pointed her finger with a red face. She always thought it was a sheer coincidence that every time she looked at him, he was looking at her. She had made her heart believe in coincidences a lot lately.
“Aakhon hi aakhon mein ishara ho gaya… baithe baithe…” Heer started singing as Ajabde got up to chase her.
“Choti ruk, ruk ja.” She ran through the corridor and to the garden after a giggling Heer.
“Ouch!” Ajabde laughed as Heer crashed into Shakti and both were on the garden path.
“Jhalli hai tu pata hai?” Shakti rubbed his head hard. “Kyun bhaag rahi?”
“Haan haan jab shadi karke jaungi na tabh yaad rakhega.” Heer’s serious voice met his laughter as he said “Heeriye, tujhse kaun shadi karega?” and laughed again.
“Dadabhai.” Heer rushed to Pratap who had just entered clueless and eyes met. “Dekhiye na.”
“Jija” Shakti taunted in her tone. “Dekhiye Na”
“Tumhara toh pata nahi mera toh koi model se shadi hogi.” Shakti shrugged as Ajabde said “Bas bahut chidha li bas karo ab, kisiko Kheer chahiye?”
The moment she said that Heer and Shakti raced to the kitchen.
“Sambhalke.” They smiled in unison at the running duo and then at each other.
Ajabde sat on the floor braiding Heer’s hair as they sat lost.
“Main bilkul akeli ho jaungi jija.” She spoke at last. “aap sab wapas aa jayenge toh…”
“ Akeli kaha? Ranima hai na…” Ajabde reassured combing her hair.
“Aap toh na ho na… jab se kuch samjhi hoon, jaani hoon, aap hi toh thee na saath.” She choked on her words.
“Choti.” Ajabde held her hand. “I am a call away, aur waha Shakti hoga aur …”
“Dadabhai bhi…” Heer added, wiping her tears. “I know. Jija pata nahi kyun aisa lagta hai ke maine apka sapna cheen li. Apka family…”
“Heer!” Ajabde exclaimed, stopping her. “Kuch bhi sochti rehti ho ! Pagal Ladki.” She hugged her sister tight. “Tumhe pata hai na, main kitni khush hoon ke…”
“Jija, Dadabhai sach mein baat karna chahte unse baat kar lo.” Heer held her hand. “Mere liye.”
“Thik hai, tere liye. Jab mauka hoga baat kar lungi.” Ajabde gave a faint smile.
“Pakka na?”
“Haan.” Ajabde’s words met Heer’s smile as she hugged Ajabde. Heer spotted Shakti at the door with a worried face that made her smile a reassuring smile as he smiled back.
“Ahem! Kya ho raha hai yaha? Sara pyaar iske liye? Aur main?” Shakti frowned at Ajabde who wiped away a tear.
“Tumhara kya?” She frowned.
“Hug hi kar do kam se kam.” He shrugged as Heer said, “Jealous!”
“Huh Jealous, meri Ajab gazab hai, hai na?” He made Ajabde smile as Heer shook her head. “Mujhe aap se kuch baat karni.” He looked serious as he followed Ajabde to her room.
“Bolo.” She indicated the couch but he sat on the bed instead. “Kya hua?” She frowned at the silence. “Bolo??”
“Jija.” He looked up like he was telling his mother that the principal had called.
“Shakti?” She asked again.
“I love her. O shit!” His face made Ajabde stare wide-eyed for a moment before she burst into a hearty laugh.
“Kya yaar aap, aap toh Dadabhai jaisa na karo…” He sulked. Ajabde
stopped laughing and managed to say “Look at your face.” Before sitting beside him.
“Shakti, yeh baat I think tumhe usko bolni chahiye… hai na?” She scrutinised his face.
“Pagal ho aap? Khud se bolne mein ajeeb lag raha aur aap…” He made Ajabde smile again.
Brownie came running from Heer’s room followed by Pratap saying
“Ajab woh…” and he stopped spotting his brother who smiled a gleeful smile he ignored.
“Shakti, I still think tumko…” Ajabde started as Shakti stopped her. “Jija Jija! Kal baat karenge okay, kal!” He walked back a few stairs as Ajabde opened her mouth to stop again seeing him run.
“Isko kya hua?” Pratap frowned as his eyes met Ajabde’s happy smile. He could read that face.
“Really?” He asked wide-eyed as she shook her head. “Woh main… yeh bolne aya tha ke…”
“Aarchi ro rahi hai.” Ajabde sounded worried. “Kya?” he asked, surprised.
“Aarchi ro rahi hai na…”
“Ajabde.” Sau stood clueless at the door and a little taken aback seeing Pratap.
“Kya hua meri princess ko?” Ajabde ran after her.
“Buddy, chalo tumse baat karte, yaha koi aur toh hai hi nahi hai na?” Pratap sat down beside Brownie on the floor. “Baat yeh hai ke 5 saal pehle main thoda zyada bewakoof tha…”
“Ohho princess. Calm down. Hush Hush!” Ajabde calmed the baby on her lap as she walked through the room.
“Kitna accha samhalti Ajab” Sau smiled relieved “Jab ke mere se bhi chup ha hoti yeh.”
“Mausi jaisi stubborn hai.” Chaks shook his head.
Sau took the sleeping baby from her hands as she came back to her room to find Brownie on the floor with Pratap.
“Ab Shakti na…” He stopped at her sight as she looked amused and confused.
“Kya ho raha hai yaha?”
“Woh… main… Hum baat kar rahe thee, hai na Brownie?” Brownie was clearly bored as he wanted to play and ran past Ajabde to the roof as they ran after him.
“Brownie!” “Buddy!”
“Come to Mommy!” “Come to Daddy!” They stopped staring at each other awkwardly as Brownie gave a loud “Woof!”
“Hush! Aarchi is asleep na!” Ajabde sounded alarmed as she held Brownie.
“Umm… Goodnight… Brownie… Kal subah 5.30 taiyaar rehna…umm… Ghar jana hai na?” He smiled awkwardly as she looked away and he ran down the stairs leaving her smiling at the dog.
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