RAABTA

Holi in Surajgarh was always traditionally colourful and nice, with delicious homemade sweets and Thandai and lots of childhood memories. The people were too happy to find the Royal Family back in Surajgarh for the Holi. Away from the media and news, these simple people who still looked up to the Royals always wanted them to come back home unaware of the happenings of the fast lives in the cities. Their small world would celebrate Holi like never before this year. Surajgarh was decked up as soon as it knew Ranisa was coming on Holi. Ranisa much like Ajabde baisa was their god-sent angel, who solved problems like miracles and the people loved and respected her. Jaivanta did a Khamma Ghani to the crowd in her elegant gracious way that always mesmerised Ajabdeh. She smiled inspecting the latest happenings with the Panchayat much to Jaivanta’s delight. “Jija we are here for the holidays so please don't talk about work.” Shakti dragged her away as she said “But…” Patta met them with a ...

“What do I do!” Jalal sulked “Khan Baba and Rukaiya threw me out…” Shakti broke into a laughter that stopped at Ajabde’s stare as Pratap frowned “What did you do?” “Nothing.” He looked away. “Bed honest Jalal, what did you do?” Pratap repeated. “Actually umm… Ruk is pregnant.” Heer Shakti and Ajabde smiled gleefully as Ajabde added “That’s wonderful! Congratulations!” “But.” Pratap stopped them “What did YOU do?” “I... went home and  Khan Baba told me he is very happy that his grandchild is going to arrive…” “Aww,” Heer exclaimed. “Umm… I asked how?” “Aww shit!” Ajabde exclaimed with a chuckle. “That’s not all… umm… when he said Ruk told him… I said… how did that happen?” “And Aapa threw you out?” Shakti chuckled. “Can't say she is wrong.” “Aww poor Aapa, how are you like this Bhaijaan?” Heer scolded. “Am going to see her, you stay here for the night.” “Wait, what?” Shakti startled her. “Why do you need to go tonight?” Heer looked angrily at him as Jalal sulked and Pratap and Ajab...

Shakti was driving a little absent-minded as Heer decided to break the silence. “Ranima will be fine. Jija is there…” She managed a smile. “Are you telling me or reassuring yourself?” He smiled back, eyeing her. “Stop worrying.” “Nahi main…” Her face looked pale at how he read her. He turned on the stereo as she changed the topic. “Who else will be there?” “Lots of exes.” He smirked. “I am popular.” He shrugged as her smile faded a little nervously. “And friends, from college. Emma.” He frowned. “You keep repeating Emma, she bothers you?” Heer frowned. “Nahi, she can bother you.” He smiled. “Warning.” “I don’t drink, ``she said, a little scared. “I know, I will see that they don’t make you. Don’t worry.” He reassured her as he parked the car. The music was loud, drinks pouring and girls drooling over guys on the dance floor, drunk and in six-inch skirts. Heer looked around a little awkwardly. She was not even dressed like the crowd. Shakti could still read her worries as he took her h...

Pratap was in a white v-neck full-sleeve tee shirt and Denim jeans on his phone, as he stared at the stairs time and again. Brownie ran down grabbing his attention and ran past him to Heer making him frown. He was left alone in the hall, as Heer walked with the dog to the reading room and her footsteps made him turn. Ajabde was in a white knee-length dress teamed with red heels and a small red clutch. Her hair flew free in semi-circles and her eyes were highlighted with Kohl and she wore orange lipstick and a small pair of diamond earrings. Pratap looked a little taken aback as frankly, he didn’t expect her in a dress, and neither did he expect she would actually dress up for him. He smiled faintly. She stared right at him for a second and looked away as his stares made her go red and blush. “Chale?” He asked as she nodded. He walked out on the porch as she followed in silence. He held open the door of the yellow Audi R8 as she walked in. Shutting her door he walked to his side. He sa...

The party was traditional. Heer and Shakti were glad to meet the relatives and his friends as they showered the couple with blessings. Heer was wearing her own designed sky blue lehenga with orange works and a dupatta. Her jewellery was the traditional ones worn by the royals. Kundan, Naulakha, heavy and elegant. Shakti had chosen her gifted one for the evening. Ajabde was in a white and gold simple lehenga with a heavily worked fuchsia lining and dupatta. She just chose a simple mang tika and earrings to go with her bangles. Rukaiya chose a traditional Green and red Sharara to team with Jalal’s Black sherwani. Sau and Chaks were in a matching shade of light yellow saree and Kurti. Patta chose a simple blue kurta and was mesmerised seeing Jiwa in Sau’s pink saree, which Sau made her wear in a Gujarati style to convince the not-so-convinced Bairam Khan who sat in a bandh gala black coat. Pratap appeared at the centre of the hall with the mic, in his grey suit, as he made an announcement...