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 not-so-convincing smile as Ajabde asked “What happened to you?”
“Nothing.” He frowned as she looked suspicious.
“Everyone can rest till Holika Dahan. Rukaiya especially.”Hansa spoke up. “And you?” Rukaiya looked down as she scolded.
“Mausi scold her, she kept me on my toes all the time now it is her turn.” Sau giggled.
“Aarchi is coming with Mausi” Ajabde smiled at the baby.
“Say bye to everyone.” She walked away talking to the baby in her room, while the others went to theirs. Pratap was playing ball with Brownie when he heard Shakti and Patta with Jalal in the corridor.
“What is cooking here?” He frowned. “Jalal if you do some mischief with them I swear I will…”
“No… am responsible.” He made a serious face. “Pratap trusts me.” Pratap frowned at his smile.
Jalal quickly walked away to his room as Pratap watched Shakti go to him. Jalal frowned at Rukaiya’s pale face as she was sitting in bed and having water.
“Ruk, are you okay?” He asked worriedly.
“Just a little nausea…” She smiled faintly.
“Umm… is it normal?” He hated when the doctor and the patient were the same people. It worried him that she would always hide something.
"Yes it is.” She giggled. “Do you remember my senior Dr Mahamanga?” “She seemed very motherly to you.” Jalal smiled.
“She will be looking at me personally.” Rukaiya smiled. “Relieved?”
“No, sleep.” He frowned. Rukaiya giggled at his worried face as he kissed her forehead and repeated “Sleep.”
“Aww, Aarchi…” Ajabde was playing with Aarchi who was smiling at Mausi. Pratap entered smiling at the scene.
“Look at her!.” Ajabde smiled excitedly. “I think she got a little taller?” Pratap looked clueless as she put a kajal tika on Aarchi’s forehead. “Nazar na lage meri princess ko.”
He sat down beside her staring as she smiled at Aarchi. The baby started crying as Ajabde promptly picked her up saying “Aww what happened….” She cradled Aarchi as Pratap frowned at how at ease she was with the tiny baby. “Are you hungry? Is Aarchi hungry?” She said worried and got up.
“Go to Kakasa I will bring your food from Mamma!” She promptly placed Aarchi on his lap as he tried to protest and ran out. Pratap looked terrified, eyes wide at the door as she ran.
“Oh God…err….” He looked terrified as the baby moved. “Hi, Aarchi.” He managed a smile but the baby pouted and started sobbing. He remembered how Ajabde was cradling her and that made her stop. “What do I…” He looked petrified. “Ok….erm… Aarchi… hush…” He tried in vain. Jalal walked into the room amused.
“Look who is taking care of Aarchi!” He smiled.
“Jalal!” Pratap was all smiles as he handed Jalal the baby. “What I… she is crying….” Jalal looked scared.
“Stop her, come on!” Pratap smiled relieved. “Practise.”
“Pratap! Yeh… umm… hush hush… Aarchi… hush….” He tried in vain as the sob turned to cries and Ajabde shouted “Am coming baby, Mamma is making your food…” The baby cried louder as Pralal looked at each other.
“hahaha! What's happening here!” Shakti smiled amused at the duo. “She is a baby, not a battlefield, let me try.”
Pratap and Jalal were happy to hand Aarchi over to Shakti who thought the baby would feel good if he twirled her. He used to twirl Patta all the time. Only he was a two-year-old and not a month. But Shakti gathered that all babies are the same. Two whirls and she stopped as the men smiled at each other, Shakti more proudly. A moment of silence later, the cry was louder than ever.
“I should hurry.” Ajabde looked worried as Sau smiled. " Let me see Pratap's condition now.” She giggled as Chaks agreed.
“ Aarchi is…” Heer entered spotting Aarchi on Shakti’s lap as the three looked terrified. Aarchi was all red from the crying.
“Three grown men can't hush a baby?” Heer looked disappointed as she took Aarchi and tried to make her stop, as she sobbed softly. “Bhaijaan I didn't expect this of you!”
“What did I do?” Jalal frowned. “Pratap made her cry.” He pointed.
“I didn't…” Pratap defended as Ajabde rushed to the baby with the feeding bottle and Sau and Chaks smiling in toe. Heer and Aarchi left for the baby room as the trio looked terrified at Chaks and Sau.
“Welcome to our world.” Sau giggled amused. “It's terrifying,” Pratap said wide-eyed.
“Petrifying.” Shakti agreed.
“Oh no!” Jalal could see himself in the next few months. “I need to start looking for a new place after Rukaiya throws me out.” His serious tone made them all laugh at his pale face.
