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 sat at the wheel and stared at her
looking out when he asked “Music?” “Haan.” She agreed.
Dabi Dabi Si Haseen Hoto Pe Fasi hai, Gudgudi kar rahi hawa….The car was out on the road she smiled at him and then looked away.
Halla Macha rahi hai pagal si khwayishey, Khusiyon ki mili hai wajah….At the red signal, he stared at her looking out, her hands were on her lap, fiddling with her clutch.
Kuch hai Junoon Sa, Kuch Pagalpan Hai… He took the hand in his as she stared at him and let go as he took the wheels again. Sau baatein karta ye… Buddhu Sa Mann Hai….Ajabde wrapped her hand around his arm and placed her head on his shoulder with a smile. He smiled a gleeful smile as she closed her eyes, her head still on his shoulders. Karne de khwaabon ko badmashiyan, The car was on the highway. Ajabde had no clue where he was taking her, all she knew was that it didn’t matter as long as they were together. Hone se nazron ki manmaaniyaan Dhunde Chalo Kuch Thikana Nai Hone De pagli pagli si Nadaniyaan…, He took a turn through a small road on the left and they were atop a small hill. She saw the highway down from the place and opened her door to step out. The cool breeze blew her hair and dress. The clouds were gathering in the sky making it a little darker than the usual 12 noon in Delhi. Hosh mein rehna hai kyun Rehne se hoga kya behoshiyon mein hai Maza….Pratap stepped behind her as her hair blew in the wind, on his face. He held her waist making her half turn to him as eyes met.
“You remember…” He spoke softly.
“Our secret picnics here, when we bunked classes!” She smiled. Bachkani harkat jo hoti hai hone de, Khushiyon ki Mili hai wajah…They smiled as the stereo played on. Kuch Hai Junoon sa, Kuch Pagalpan hai, Sau Baatein Karta Ye Buddhu Sa Mann Hai. He urged her to sing along as she ran to the car and turned off the stereo making him frown.
“Pratap Singh’s voice doesn’t need the stereo to sing.” She smiled. “All he needs is Ajabdeh Punwar to sing along.” He smiled back.
“Me?” she frowned. He walked up to the car and took out a dabba. “But after this!”
“Lunch?” She opened the boxes gleefully. “Wow! Paratha… Palak Paneer? Did you make this?” His soft nod made her smile. “Come let's sit down…” She sat down on the grass as he frowned looking around.
“Sit here!” She patted beside her.
“Your white dress will be ruined.” He frowned.
“Who cares!” She smiled a careless smile as she opened her shoes. He smiled sitting beside her and watching her eat.
After lunch and listening to her chatter about how she saw Heer stare awkwardly at Shakti, he held her hand to make her stop.
“Ajab.” Her eyes met his. “Let's not talk of anyone else today.” His smile made her blush in agreement as they watched the cars pass by and the trees sway in the wind. She removed the locks of hair off her face with her free hand as the other held his. He smiled staring. He always loved it when the wind played with her hair.
The sound of thunder in the distance startled her as he smiled. “Still scared?”
“No!” she lied, looking away as he smiled again holding her hand tighter. A drizzle started as he got up to leave.
“Then let's go!” He pulled the hand that was entwined. “No… let it be…” She smiled at the drizzle.
“Someone hated rain in Surajgarh!” He taunted.
“And someone loved it.” She taunted back, standing up as the drizzle turned into a downpour.
“End it.” He smiled holding her waist. “What?” She frowned.
“That song…. sing…”
“I forgot… you start.” She giggled.
Mausam ne bhi ki hai kuch koshish se… hone lagi dekho yeh baarishe….
He sang as he looked up and back at her. Saar pe chada hai yeh kaisa aasar… Daure raftaar mein dil ki sab Dhadkane…She joined in making him smile. Dhun koi chal rahi hai kaano mein dheeme se, Roshan hai zyaada yeh subah….He stepped back letting her hand go as they drenched in the rain like teenagers. Hulchul jo ho rahi hai, seene mein hone de… Khushiyon ki mili hai wajah…
He sang as he saw her twirl, arms spread to welcome the droplets. He took her hand again as they matched voices after a long time. Kuch hai junoon sa… kuch pagalpan hai… Sau Baatein Karta ye Buddhu sa Mann Hai! The rain had given way to the sun as she rubbed her wet hair with the towels she had no idea why he carried in his car. He was on the phone as she frowned at him from a distance. She walked up to him and took away the phone, snatching it.
“Not today!” She said sternly.
“Ok, ma’am.” He smiled, surprising her with a hug as she hugged back. “Your wet hair…” He swept it aside.
“Hmm?” She smiled.
“Makes me crazy!” His words made her blush red as she looked away and said “N..N…Now what?”
“I want to take you somewhere else too…” He smiled. “Where?” She asked surprised.
“Dessert?” His words made her jump. “yay!”
“Pagal Ladki.” He chuckled. “Princy!” She frowned.
“Strange girl!” He copied her tone. “Chale?” She pointed at the car.
Soon they were at the gates of the Jantar Mantar, as the tourist crowd had mostly dispersed in the heavy rain. “This is my favourite ice cream spot…” She spoke as he ordered at the roadside parlour. “ Two scoops chocolate, one scoop vanilla, choco chips, wafers, chocolate sauce, and oh, Strawberry on top. Make it two please.” He smiled. “Thank you!”
“You remember my order?” She asked surprised.
“How can I forget it? I have been having the same alone for the last few birthdays, you weren't here.” His normal voice, as he paid the man, made her heart sink. She stared at him as eyes met.
“Pratap…I…”
“Ohho… I said no more talking of the past… ice cream!” He handed her the scoop making her smile at him as he smiled back.
“Yummm mmmm.” Ajabde closed her eyes, relishing the bite. “This tastes exactly the same!” “Yiu still eat with your nose?” He wiped it off with a chuckle making her narrow her eyes.
“Let's go see Jantar Manter…” She spoke in between bites. Why?” He sulked
“Do you remember that school class trip?” She asked, lost in thoughts.
“Yes of course I remember it.” His words made her stare at him with a teasing smile as he looked poker-faced.
“Yaar I think I am in love!” Sid tapped Pratap’s back as he spoke.
“What crap! you are seventeen Sid, is this an age to fall in love?” Pratap frowned. They were leaning against the Sundial of the Jantar Mantar on a school trip.
“Love doesn't see age, my friend. Majnu fell in love when he was a child.” Chaks defended as they noticed Sau with Ajabde in the distance."Then they died." Pratap scorned.
“He is right…” To Pratap’s annoyance, Sid was looking at them too. “Who is the lucky girl, Sid?” Chaks asked.
“That is why I need Pratap's help… its Ajabdeh.” His words made Pratap stand straight from his leaning posture and startled Sid.
“What? What do you mean you are in love with her?” Pratap’s voice was loud and clear “Are you mad?”
“Why?” Sid asked, confused. “She seems nice.”
“Do you even know her?” Pratap frowned angrily. “How much do you know about her?” “That is why I am asking for your help…” Sid sulked.
“Ajabde doesn't believe in Love!” Pratap lied.
“But she told me she loves romance novels.” Sid shrugged. “Wait a minute, you asked her this?” Pratap frowned again.
“Hi, guys!” Sau smiled at them with Ajabdeh waving at them walking right behind her.
“What are you guys talking of?” Ajabde asked, a little worried at Pratap’s face. “Nothing…” Sid spoke smiling.
“She asked me.” Pratap’s voice startled her and she looked more confused.
“Sid likes you.” Chaks spoke up as Pratap, Sid and Sau frowned “Chaks, yaar!” Ajabde looked a little surprised at Sid who looked away and then at Pratap’s pale face.
“Now since she knows, ask for her answer.” Sau smiled excitedly. “Ajabdeh?”
Ajabdeh was still staring at Pratap who was restless. A smile curved her lips as she softly said “Sorry Sid…” A smile lit up Pratap’s face as he looked right at her.
“But why?” Sau frowned. “He is nice, what kind of guy do you even want?” She and Chaks exchanged a quick glance at each other and Pratap.
“Umm… I don't know…” She smiled.
“Do tell us…” Pratap made her stare. “What kind of guy do you want?” If they could see anyone other than themselves they would have seen Sau and Chaks smile.
“I…. umm…” She looked away and smiled. “Someone who is scared of admitting his feelings but does a lot more than just admit his feelings…” She held Sau’s hand saying
“Come with me?” and ran to the girls as she turned to smile at Pratap who looked all red and surprised at her before blushing with a smile.
“You were scared of me.” She giggled. “I used to be!” He defended.
“You are, and will be.” She giggled so hard that her last bit of ice cream fell from her hand.
“Shit!” She frowned.
“Hahaha! Laugh at people's misery and Karma teaches you a lesson. Ummm this is yummy.” She narrowed her eyes as he ate the last bites.
“Let's go home now?” She asked, looking at the watch. It was almost evening. “One more stop."
“Now where?” She frowned.
“There's a surprise for you.” He winked.
“I thought the picnic was the surprise?” She asked, raising her brows. “Nope.” He smiled, taking her hand “Let's go?”
Heer was in a black cocktail gown, with a sleeveless heart-shaped neckline. Her hair was semi curled and she was putting on makeup when Jiwa walked in followed by Shakti.
“Oh my god! You look stunningly sexy!” Jiwa’s exclamation startled her as she turned and Shakti gave half a smile as Jiwa murmured “Oops sorry!”
“It’s okay…umm… Thanks.” Heer smiled awkwardly.
“Okay bye, enjoy!” She waved goodbye and ran out.
“Sometimes she acts like Jija.” Shakti chuckled.
“Jija wasn't like her” Heer defended.
“She did say nothing wrong though.” He walked up to her, hooking her neckpiece as they stared at each other in the mirror.
“You are looking sexy!” He smiled with a wink as he took his jacket and walked out as Heer stood stunned. Did he just wink?
“Pratap.” Ajabdeh softly exclaimed as the car stopped at what once was her apartment.
“Come.” He held the door open as she stepped out.
“But…” He took her hand firmly and pressed the lift button. Ajabdeh’s eyes twinkled as she sniffed, making him look worried.
“Save the tears.” He smiled as he opened the keys. “You have the…”
“Bairam Uncle gave them to me when I said I am going to Choti’s wedding…” He stopped. “For you.” Eyes met and smiled as she said “Who else…”
“Ranima.” He opened the door and stepped in to turn on the lights. Ajabde ran her hand through the dirty nameplate PUNWARS.
She stepped over the threshold and gasped as he smiled at her. In the hall which used to be the living-dining area, there were walls full of pictures. Pictures of the important days in the last five years she had missed.
“Shakti’s graduation day.” He pointed at a picture of Shakti and Ranima, “Even I couldn’t make it but he missed you more.”
“How do you know that?” She smiled with twinkling eyes at him.
“Because when I asked Missed me he paused for like 30 sec and said Dadabhai…. Haan…” Pratap smiled. “I knew what he wanted to say.”
“And you remember that?” She raised her eyebrows. “Yes, because I …thought about calling Heer.” “Why didn’t you?” She frowned.
“Because I had the landline number and I was scared who would pick it up.” He stared at her as they could read each other’s thoughts regretting their stupidities.
“That’s Bhago’s Haldi pic!” He pointed at the group picture. “She called Ruk Ajabde thrice by mistake!”
“I called her up to say that I had an important meeting in Mumbai.” She remembered.
“I expected to see you there.” He shook his head.
“I was about to go but the news said…” She spoke while looking around.
“I was coming with someone?” He smiled a regretful smile. She stopped with a faint smile.
“Why did you not come to Jalal's wedding?”
“I thought Jalal will have his wedding here but the card had your farmhouse address so… I was unsure if I was truly invited or as a courtesy so I... left for New York.”
“When you didn't come for his wedding I felt I did the right thing missing Sau's… That is why I didn't expect you at Choti's...”
“I was scared that after her it will be you.” He spoke genuinely, making her smile.
“You assumed Ajabde Punwar moved on?” She ran her hand through a Diwali pic of Surajgarh.
“That was the last time I visited Surajgarh, two years back.” Pratap smiled. “They started talking of the coronation and stuff.”
“Maa told me that… why didn't you go after that?” She agreed.
“How could I go? The people expected a coronation and their Kunwarani and I had no idea how to make things right if at all.”
“What is in there?” She pointed at the adjacent room. “Let me show you.” He smiled.
Entering the room Ajabde looked wide-eyed. There were all sizes and shapes of gifts wrapped in purple gift wraps.
“What is all this?” She asked surprised.
“Gifts for every birthday, every achievement and every celebration….” His words made her look at him like she had seen a ghost, he smiled to himself adding “No matter how angry I ever was with you, could I ever miss buying you something for your special days?” He stared at her as a lone tear appeared in her eyes as he frowned and wiped it away.
“Princy.” She hugged him, hiding her face in his chest as he kissed her forehead. “You could have… just once” She sobbed.
“Hush…” He stared at her, wiping away the tears. “Unwrap your gifts.”She nodded with a smile.
“Start.” He pointed at the boxes as she sat down.
“Can I ask you something?” She asked as she opened the wraps. He nodded, helping her.
“Did you truly believe that someday… things will fall in place again?”
“Yes, it had to maybe not today..l maybe in ten years... or” He stared at her through the corner of his eyes. “ When you were seventy and lost your memories I would have walked up to you at a Satsang and said Hi I am Kunwar Pratap Singh and you?”
“And why would I have memory loss and not you?” She frowned.
“Because even if I did could I forget you?” Pratap’s words made her smile.
“Haven't you become overly cheesy?” She narrowed her eyes with a smile.
“ The effects of a long wait.” He sat down close to her, watching her inspect the gift.
Books, clothes, jewellery, everything she liked.
“I like this.” She pointed at the Kundan set. “I don’t like that!” She pointed at a bracelet.
“Ohho madam!” Pratap made a poker face. “Appreciate the gesture.” She struck out her tongue and giggled.
Pratap looked around. This was the room that once used to be her bedroom. Today her smile seemed to make it home again. He had to tell her to stay back in Delhi. He had found her after 5 years and no way was he going to let her go this time. He also knew she had a business to run at Udaipur and the MFS. But today he didn’t mind spending a fortune on efficient employees if it would make her stay. But he knew speaking of that would hurt the self-sufficiently independent-minded Businesswoman Ajabde Punwar and he couldn’t let that happen. He couldn’t make mistakes again.
“Ajab.” He spoke up genuinely. “Hmm?” She stared at him.
“Umm…” He took her hand in his. “Stay back here, I can’t …stay away anymore.” Shit, did that sound wrong?
She stared at him at first with surprise then with a smile as she took her hand off his, “You know my responsibilities in Udaipur, Patta is in his second year, still almost a year away from the finals, and he needs to know the business before he…”
“I will teach him. I will …”
“It’s my job.” She interrupted. “Papa left it to me…”
“Then I will be at Udaipur, I don’t care.”
“Kunwar Pratap Singh!” She exclaimed, annoyed. “Don’t be a child. Who will take care of things here?”
“Shakti is here, Heer too… I will take care of MFS. We will spend our weekends in Surajgarh. I am following you wherever you go!” He was speaking like an adamant child as she giggled.
“You know you can't do that right?” She smiled, shaking her head. “Patta will take over in a year or two then we can…”
“No.” He was stubborn. “It is too long!”
“What will you tell Maa and Ranima?” She asked, amused.
“I will tell them that your daughter doesn't want to stay in Delhi and I am going with her. If you don't let me stay in the same house I will get myself one but I am not staying away.”
“Ohho, You will even have a house?” She taunted.
Both their phones rang and they looked worried. “Chaks?” Pratap frowned.
“Maa…” Ajabde picked up.
Jaivanta had worked herself up too much in the last few days which had resulted in low blood pressure and had fainted. Hansa found her unconscious and immediately called on Rukaiya before calling Ajabde.
“Ranima,” Ajabde exclaimed, running to the bed as the crowd in the room stared at Pratap at the door. “What happened!”
“There is no need to panic, I have increased her vitamins and made a diet chart to follow, she is weak.” Rukaiya explained to Pratap.
“You will not move from the bed, do you understand?” Ajabde scolded as she smiled. “Ranima we shouldn't go…” Heer spoke up as Shakti agreed.
“No my child all of them are here, you go on.” Ranima insisted.
“But…” Shakti spoke up worried as Ajabde turned to him.
“We are here for her, please go! We will call if needed.” Her words met a nod from Pratap as they walked out still worried.
“Everyone out, let her rest,” Rukaiya ordered as Jalal, Hansa, Patta, Jiwa, Chaks and Sau walked out,
“I will freshen up and come sit with you.” Ajabde ran past Pratap as Pratap sat down on the chair beside the bed as Jaivanta frowned. “You also go and change.”
“You don't listen to anyone.” He frowned. “Do you?” Jaivanta smiled.
“It is not funny, you scared us.” He scolded.
“Okay, she scolded me now you don't. I will listen to you from now, Happy?"
“Ranima… umm… actually…” He was not sure if he should ask. “What happened?”
“Ajab… Hansa Mausi and Patta will leave after attending Holi…” He looked away.
“I know that.” Jaivanta hid a smile.
“So I suggested that they shift to the old apartment, there's no need to leave for Udaipur yet right?” He stopped at his mother’s smile. “They will listen to you.”
“ Did she not listen to you?” Her amused smile met his awkward face as Ajabde strode in in her pyjamas and a tee, her hair bunned up.
“Ranima, You are still awake!” She scolded. “Does nobody have any sense not to chat with you?” The last question made him get up and murmur "I should go."
“Come sit with me.” Ranima patted the side of the bed. “I am not here for a chat…” Ajabde protested.
“Just one thing, Promise.” Jaivanta pulled her down by her hand making her frown as she checked her forehead.
“Hey Eklingji Ranima you have a fever, let me call Ruk and ask.” She jumped up and went to the balcony with her phone. When she came back Pratap was back on his chair with some files opposite to where she sat.
“Ruk gave these medicines, please bring them.” She passed the slip to Pratap who went searching for someone as she sat down.
“What were you saying?”
“Stay back here.” Ranima held her hand. “We are all here, Heer is here. Why do you want to leave? Things will be sorted at Udaipur. Even Jalal wants to shift.” She frowned at Pratap who walked in like he knew nothing.
“Jalal wants to shift?” She asked Ranima.
“Bairam Bhaisaab wishes to spend his last few years here and Hansa was also saying...”
“Ranima.” She slowly took her hand out of her grip. “You know it is not only about the business. if so Papa would have never shifted… There are people there at Surajgarh and...”
“You can go to Surajgarh from here, come back home.” Ajabde looked helplessly at Ranima’s hopeful eyes. He had played his cards well.
“You know I can't refuse you but Papa…”
“Pratap will take care of all your responsibilities, right Pratap?” Ranima asked as he nodded readily “Ji! As you wish.”
“Mr Das is also efficient and we can hire for MFS, Visit every month if that worries you.” Ranima’s excuses made Ajabde smile faintly. She was talking like it was so easy.
“I will think about it but if you don't sleep now I l leave understood?” She frowned as Ranima lay down. She shot a glance at Pratap who smiled a sheepish smile knowing he had played the right card and won this battle.
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