Ajabdeh ran in through the main door, Brownie in toe 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?” Ajabde 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 connections. He didn't get a scholarship.” Maan Singh Songara interrupted his wife. Songara Industries was one of the leading companies in Kota. Everyone knew his spoilt brat of a son there.
“How is Pratap?” Mami stared at Hansa and then at Ajabde. “Is he in London?”
“No Bhabhisa… He is” Jaivanta started as Mami turned to Ajabdeh who was leaving slowly.
“Listen Ajabdeh, if you want I can make you meet that guy!”
“Ji?” She asked a little wide-eyed as Pratap entered with a frown.
“Which guy, Mami?” His words made everyone stare as Ajabdeh prayed that he didn't misspeak.
“My friend's nephew… He stays in America.” She smiled as her husband tried to stop her in vain with an “It is nothing Beta.”
“What about him?” He stared at Ranima and then at Ajabdeh who clearly looked scared.
“I was telling Ajabdeh…” She started as Ajabde stopped her with “Choti is here.” How glad she was with Shakti and Heer’s timing.
“Ranima let me get Aarchi.” Ajabde ran as Mami smiled at Heer.
“How you have grown and are so beautiful… You were beautiful… but now you seem to be glowing….”
Shakti smiled an amused smile at Pratap who said “I have some work, excuse me.” And left.
As soon as he left Mami said “This is fate, Jija, whose dreams who lives!”
“Ji?” Jaivanta asked as she said “I mean Ajabdeh and Pratap…” That made Heer stare at Shakti as Hansa looked awkward.
“Bhabi, you believe in fate.” Jaivanta stopped her. “I also have faith in destiny.”
“Ohho Can you not stay quiet for two minutes?” Her husband’s words made Mami frown.
“Look who is here. Our Princess Aarchi!” Ajabde smiled at the baby with Sau following her.
“You have a child?” Mami’s words made Shakti burst out laughing as Ajabde looked wide-eyed.
“No, Sau does, any problem?” Pratap’s words from behind them made Shakti stop as Ajabdeh looked at him and Jaivanta scolded
“Pratap!”
“Ohh Sau beta how are you… you are glowing… you did …”
“Look beautiful before…?” Shakti spoke up as Pratap smiled amused.
Mami stopped with a smile as Mama laughed a hearty laugh patting Shakti and then taking Aarchi from Ajabde’s lap.
“Oh, Goddess Lakshmi has blessed us, we must give her Muh Dikhai.” He stared at his wife who took out a 500 rs note from her purse and then at his stare 500 more.
“Can we be excused?” Shakti asked Ranima in a gesture as she said “Heer, Ajab please bring some snacks and... Pratap didn't you have work?”
“I do too.” Shakti dashed after the girls to the kitchen.
“They thought Aarchi is...” He laughed amused as Heer giggled. “ Mami is so weird. She will next bring a Rishta for Jija.”
“She already has.” Pratap’s voice made them look at him as Ajabde still was busy decorating the snacks on the tray.
“30. Doctor. American. Right?” He smiled amused at Ajabdeh as Shakti laughed again.
“She told me about a guy when I was 15.” Heer shrugged. “I was scared and said I am a minor and she said they can wait.” Pratap smiled amused as Shakti exclaimed, “O God!”
“Stop it all of you.” Ajabde turned to face Pratap as Heer and Shakti tried hard not to smile. “Some people have such nature you can't blame her for who she is.”
“Right.” Pratap and Shakti said in unison as Heer giggled. Ajabde handed the tray to Heer saying “Chalo.” She stopped at the door and turned to see the guys inspecting her snacks as she said in a stern voice “Nobody dares touch anything. Shakti?”
“Ji… Ji.” He stood straight.
As the girls left both took a pattie each and started munching. “When are they planning to leave?” Pratap exclaimed, worried.
“They just arrived.” Shakti shrugged.
“Did you tell Heer?” His words made Shakti stop biting and sulk. “What?”
“You know what.”
“Jija told everyone, didn't she? Shit!” Shakti looked tensed.
“She didn't tell everyone.” Pratap defended.
“Ohho! Only you? By the way, my balcony has a view of everything that happens on the lawn…” He smirked as Pratap stared coldly.
“I mean Heer was at the balcony, she said so, how will I know?” Shakti said with a straight face.
“Did you talk to her?” Pratap asked strictly as he shook his head into a small no.
“What did you do?” Ajabde’s gasp made them hide the patties behind them as she looked at them with a fed up look.
“You told him, Jija?” Shakti sulked. “If you don't say it I will tell Choti as well…”
“No No No…” Shakti caught her hand. “I will tell her…”
“Then do something for me…” She spoke as he interrupted “Anything.”
Ajabde giggled as she said, “I have to take Brownie to the vet, come with me.”
“Why me?” Shakti frowned.
“Choti sun zara….” Ajabde called as his eyes widened, making Pratap smile.
“Ji jija.” She replied as Shakti said, “I will go with you, whenever you want.”
“Good.” Ajabde smiled as Heer appeared asking “Did you call me?” “No.” The trio’s voice made her frown clueless.
At Lunch, everyone praised the Punwar girls cooking and Mami complimented Heer as the perfect one. Ranima said “She is a shadow of my Ajab” Making her smile.
“Ajabdeh is so talented…” Mami started again as Jalal interrupted “ You are too.” Making her blush as everyone stared amused.
“Haan, Ajabdeh that guy I told you about, Kartik…” Her words made Shakti giggle again as Heer slapped his hand beneath the table.
“Kartik or Ganesh, what is it to you?” Pratap’s words made everyone look at him wide-eyed as Ajabdeh murmured an “O shit” to herself.
“What?” Mami looked confused as Jaivanta would gladly read the faces and so could Jalal.
“Mami I…” Ajabde spoke up more because he was angry when he stopped her with “Don't interfere in everyone's lives, please.”
Mama agreed “He is right.” Jaivanta tried to change the topic with “Bhabisa you know how kids choose for themselves nowadays.”
“Am done.” Pratap left as Jalal and Sau stared at Ajabde who watched him go.
“What’s wrong with you? They are guests.” She made him stop.
“Why did you come after me?” He asked, facing her.
"Everyone was staring at me like I am some criminal.” Made him smile.
“Guest also don't behave like she…” “Her nature…”
“You are too nice to some people, it's sick!” He shrugged as he left.
Ajabde entered her room startled to find Jalal Rukaiya, Patta, Sau Chaks and Shakti there.
“Hi?” She stared at the amused crowd.
“Miss Ajabde Punwar, do you want to tell us something?” Jalal asked amused.
“As in confessing something?” Chaks added.
“Do you have no work at all?” Ajabde frowned.
“No, we don't.” Rukaiya held her hand. “So tell us.” “What do you want to hear?” She stared at the crowd.
“Jija when is the wedding?” Patta smirked.
“Heer has to make all our clothes it will take time.” Shakti gave him a high five.
“You better shut up” Ajabde stared at Shakti. “You tell what you are hiding first.”
“Ohhhooooo!” Everyone caught Shakti as he went “No no…. Jija is lying!” making Ajabde smile amused as they teased him.
“You are happy?” Sau smiled as she hugged her.
Patta and Jiwa were walking down the garden path awkwardly holding hands in silence as Jalal spotted them from behind a bush.
“Stop it, they are kids!” He stared at Rukaiya’s soft protest.
“I am just observing them, I said nothing.” He said with a frown. “It doesn't suit you Jalal!”
“Ajabdeh…” Pratap protested softly.
“Hush!” Ajabde’s hawk eyes were on them. “I don't like this girl.” She remarked.
“Of course!” Pratap nodded. “If Shakti mistakenly chose anyone else other than your sister you would have said the same.” His remark made her stare displeased as she said “That is not true!” making him laugh.
“Everyone knows.” She sat down on the grass beside him looking awkward.
“What?” He frowned.
“That we are not fighting anymore.” She looked away with a slight blush. “And who is everyone?” He looked wide-eyed.
She shrugged. “ I think you should…” “Talk to Ranima.” He nodded.
“I am going to the vet with Shakti.” He laughed at her words and added “Shakti goes to the Veterinary?” She slapped his hand saying “For Brownie I meant.”
“I will see you at Dinner.”
Pratap walked into Jaivanta’s room with a knock.
“There is something off about that girl.” Jalal remarked as Rukaiya said “I find them cute. We don't even know much about her how can you tell?”
“That is true.” Jalal nodded. “But Patta is young!”
“Have you ever thought the same about Pratap and Ajabde?” Rukaiya asked with a frown.
“No”
“Then stop being the nosy elder brother! And let him enjoy life.” Rukaiya shrugged.
After dinner Jalal walked into his room, hoping for some alone time with Ruk and frowned. The bed was occupied by Rukaiya, Heer and Sau as Aarchi slept on her lap. Chaks and Shakti had occupied the sofas, Jiwa the chair, Pratap stood at the balcony door, and Patta was pacing the room when he smiled “Bhaijaan is here.”
“What is happening?” He frowned as Patta ignored asking “Jija?” “Last I saw her with some aunties.” Jalal shrugged.
“Jija is here.” Heer dragged her by the hand and made her sit.
“How was the doctor's visit?” Heer asked as Rukaiya murmured, “That's a Vet.”
“He asked if we want to breed him!” Ajabde jumped a little excited as Heer looked wide-eyed.
“Brownie’s babies!” She said excitedly.
“Aww lil puppies all over the place,” Ajabde added with a giggle.
"Must have been Ajabdeh's idea." Pratap's words made her stop.
“How do you know Jija …” Heer’s question was directed to Pratap.
“I know her.” His casual words were met with Ajabde’s wide-eyed stare as everyone went “oh!” and they looked away.
“Umm… Isn't it late?” Jalal spoke up looking hopefully at Rukaiya who was not looking at him.
“Who wants Icecream?” Rukaiya spoke, raising her finger as Patta, Jiwa, Chaks and Ajabde did the same.
“Me too!” Shakti spoke up.
“Come Ajab let's bring some from the kitchen.” Rukaiya left with Ajabde in tow. Jalal’s fed-up shake of a head met Pratap’s smile as he smiled back with a shrug.
As they entered the palace kitchen Rukaiya held Ajabde’s hand “He said yes, Ajab.” She smiled happily.
“What?” Ajabde asked cluelessly.
“Jalal. About starting a family.” Rukaiya hugged Ajabde adding “I am so happy.”
“Ruk.” Ajabde hugged back with a smile. “I'm so happy for you.” “And me for you.”
“Ahem!” Pratap stopped at the threshold. “What is happening here?” He frowned like Rukaiya did whenever she found him and Jalal.
“I am not like you, okay?” Rukaiya narrowed her eyes. “I am just hugging a friend!”
“Did I say anything?” Pratap shrugged. “Don't even dare!”
“Really Ruk? It’s 2am and you two are alone here….” He raised his eyebrows as Rukaiya said “Oh really and what do you do with my husband alone?” She gasped dramatically and made Pratap shake his head as she laughed.
“Chalo Ice Cream is ready.” Ajabde pointed at the tray as Rukaiya took it.
“You make him suffer so he comes to me for solace.” Pratap shrugged as Rukaiya and Ajabde looked at him wide-eyed.
“No no no I mean to talk, shit!”
“I knew it!” Ajabde narrowed her eyes. “Me too.” Rukaiya followed her out.
“But I meant…”
Pratap entered to find the room full of people laughing and amused at him and Jalal as Rukaiya and Ajabde gave a high five.
“Aww Pralal Prem!” Shakti’s words met a pillow from both as he ran and the two ran after him around the room everyone laughed and shouted “Sambhalke!” and Shakti shouted “O Ajab Gazab bachao!”
Early at dawn at the Sisodia Mansion. Pratap woke with the sound of the conch shell. Ranima… He sat up frowning…
“Ajabde?” He could hear Ranima’s voice in the hall. “Ji Ranima?” She replied from downstairs.
“Puja ka saman taiyyar hai?” “Haan Ranima.” Pratap smiled.
For the last few years, this mansion was no less than a silent dead place. He stayed home rarely and when he did it was mostly working as well, Shakti always loved trekking and travelling and Ranima mostly moved between here and London but never did they sit and talk. Today, a wedding had changed so much for the better. The house was full of guests, relatives, friends and family. Heer and Ajabde had taken over the kitchen and puja, not letting Ranima take the stress and everyone was happy at last. Pratap got ready quickly knowing how much Ranima hated being late for Puja.
He walked down to the hall to find everyone gathered for the Grihashanti Puja. The priest was doing the havan. Shakti and Heer exchanged happy glances between the rituals, and Mami was gossiping with a not-interested but stuck Sau. Ranima and Hansa Mausi sat near the havan too. Where was… He turned around to see Patta staring at Jiwa in an Anarkali dress and gave a faint smile. Jalal was talking to Chaks in a corner while Rukaiya held Aarchi.
He looked around as he walked up to the boys.
“Ajabde is in the kitchen,” Jalal smirked.
“Making Ladoos. You remember laddoos?” Chaks added a high five to Jalal.
“Grow Up!” He stared at the guys.
“Ajab says so too.” Jalal chuckled.
Pratap walked around the room greeting people and all… then slowly made his escape to the royal kitchen.
“Is the Bhog ready? Sweets? Show me before you serve.” Ajabde was making the laddoos into perfect rounds while she supervised a kitchen full of people at work. Her saree pallu was tugged at the waist and her hair was made into a casual bun and her locks hung out. Pratap smiled at the scene, hiding. Now, this was home. He walked away with a smile he couldn’t wear off.
All through the day, he noticed her, how she paid attention to the children’s demands of playing with them, she gave her mother and
Ranima medicines at the proper timings supervised the kitchen for the lunch, chose sarees for Mami and Ranima and helped Heer get ready for the evening party.
Ajabde was giving Jaivanta her medicines before the evening party. “Go get ready now.” Ranima smiled.
“Ranima Shakti…” She stopped at the knock as Shakti peeped in.
“Ranima my friends have kept a party in our honour can I take Heer along?” He shot a glance at Ajabde smirking.
“Sure if she wants to go…” Ranima smiled. Ajabde got up to leave, giving Shakti a glance.
Ajabde was smiling at Brownie who ran on the rooftop. The dusk was welcoming with a cool breeze and she breathed in.
“What's your plan for tomorrow?” His voice made her jump. “You scared me.” She frowned.
“Pakka gharwali lag rahi ho aise.” He stared at her saree and back at her as she slapped his arm blushing. "I have a surprise for you tomorrow."
“You know I hate surprises, Princy.”
“Pata hai, bohot bada pagal ho tum! I promise you won’t get a heart attack.”
“Shakti didn’t tell her anything yet I assume?” He asked, concerned.
“He is your brother after all.” She shrugged as he narrowed his eyes at the taunt.
“Jija?” Heer’s voice made them spring apart as he frowned “Damn! ” making her blush as she walked away.
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