Ajabdeh ran into the house through the main door, Brownie in tow, 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?" Ajabdeh 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 Ajabdeh. "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 looked scared.
"I was telling Ajabdeh..." She started as Ajabdeh stopped her with "Choti is here." How glad she was with Shakti and Heer's timing."Ranima let me get Aarchi." Ajabdeh 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."
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."
"Can you not stay quiet for two minutes?" Her husband's words made Mami frown."Look who is here. Our Princess Aarchi!" Ajabdeh smiled at the baby with Sau following her. "You have a child?" Mami's words made Shakti burst out laughing as Ajabdeh 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!"
"Oh, 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 Ajabdeh's lap.
"Oh, Goddess Lakshmi has blessed us; we must give her Muh Dikhai." He stared at his wife, who took out a 500 note from her purse, and then stared 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 Ajabdeh was still 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." Ajabdeh turned to face Pratap as Heer and Shakti tried hard not to smile. "Some people have such a nature you can't blame them for who she is."
"Right." Pratap and Shakti said in unison as Heer giggled. Ajabdeh 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 tense.
"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 in 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." Ajabdeh was amused as she said, "I have to take Brownie to the vet, come with me."
"Why me?" Shakti frowned."Choti sun zara...." Ajabdeh called as his eyes widened, making Pratap smile.
"Ji jija." She replied as Shakti said, "I will go with you, whenever you want."
"Good." Ajabdeh 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..." Ajabdeh 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."
"I'm done." Pratap left as Jalal and Sau stared at Ajabdeh, 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 was some criminal." Made him smile.
"Guests also don't behave like she..." He started.
"Her nature..." Ajabdeh shrugged.
"You are too nice to some people, it's sick!" He shrugged as he left.
Ajabdeh 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?" Ajabdeh 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," Ajabdeh stared at Shakti. "You tell what you are hiding first."
"Ohhhooooo!" Everyone caught Shakti as he went, "No, no.... Jija is lying!" making Ajabdeh 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!" Ajabdeh's hawk eyes were on them.
"I don't like this girl." She remarked.
"Of course!" Pratap nodded. "If Shakti mistakenly chose anyone other than your sister, you would have said the same."
His remark made her stare in 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 Ajabdeh?" 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!" Ajabdeh jumped a little excited as Heer looked wide-eyed.
"Brownie's babies!" She said excitedly. "Aww, lil puppies all over the place," Ajabdeh 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 Ajabdeh'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 Ice cream?" Rukaiya spoke, raising her finger as Patta, Jiwa, Chaks and Ajabdeh did the same. "Me too!" Shakti spoke up. "Come, Ajab, let's bring some from the kitchen." Rukaiya left with Ajabdeh 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 Ajabdeh's hand "He said yes, Ajab." She smiled happily. "What?" Ajabde asked cluelessly. "Jalal. About starting a family." Rukaiya hugged Ajabdeh, adding, "I am so happy."
"Ruk." Ajabdeh hugged back with a smile. "I'm so happy for you."
"And me for you." They held hands and smiled.
"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 2 am 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." Ajabdeh pointed at the tray as Rukaiya took it.
"You make him suffer, so he comes to me for solace." Pratap shrugged as Rukaiya and Ajabdeh looked at him wide-eyed. "No, no, no, I mean to talk, shit!"
"I knew it!" Ajabdeh 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 Ajabdeh 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... "Ajabdeh?" He could hear Ranima's voice in the hall. "Ji Ranima?" She replied from downstairs.
"Are the things ready for the Puja?"
"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 has changed so much for the better. The house was full of guests, relatives, friends and family. Heer and Ajabdhe 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.
"Ajabdeh 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." Ajabdeh was making the laddoos into perfect rounds while she supervised a kitchen full of people at work. Her saree drape 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 lunch, chose sarees for Mami and Ranima and helped Heer get ready for the evening party. Ajabdeh 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 Ajabdeh, smirking. "Sure, if she wants to go..." Ranima smiled. Ajabdeh got up to leave, glancing at Shakti.
Ajabdeh 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. "You look like a proper um..." Wife? 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."
"I know you are crazy! 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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