The Holika Dahan was scheduled for late evening. Ajabdeh was playing with Aarchi, who was dressed in a pretty red frock with a bow, as she lay comfortably on Ajabdeh Mausi's bed, surrounded by her toys. Ajabdeh was dressed in a lavender Anarkali gown, and her hair was braided in a fishtail. Aarchi grabbed her long earrings, making her wince a little and smile at the same time." Aww baby, you know how much fun Surajgarh Holi is... when... I was a child..."
"She is understanding so much of your Holi stories." His taunting voice made her stare at the threshold with a frown. Pratap was in a casual black Kurta. "What is it to you ?" She asked with a straight face. "I am just here to listen... how much fun exactly was Holi in Surajgarh?" He appeared to be thinking. "As far as I remember, you spent all day following Ranima in the kitchen because you were afraid of colours."
"That's rubbish, that's called helping. I am not scared of anything."
"And you ran after Shakti and Patta to make sure they were okay." He continued ignoring her protest."Choti too.." She smiled. "And... "He smirked. "And someone wanted me to smear colour on her first. The drama for that, my God!"
"Acha?" She managed to keep a straight face. "Who was that?"
"Aarchi..." Her mother interrupted with a smile at the duo as Ajabdeh picked up Aarchi."Come, baby, it's your first Holika Dahan." Ajabdeh smiled enthusiastically at Sau, who nodded to follow her out as Pratap smiled back.
"Blue or white? Think and say!" Shakti held out his embroidered Kurtas as Heer shrugged. She was ready in her red and gold Patiala suit, hair braided with a simple neckpiece from Ranima. "You have been doing this for the last half an hour." She pointed at the heaps of clothes on the floor. "Wear anything and spare me, please."
"How can I wear just anything? I am the prince of Surajgarh after all!" He flaunted as Heer lost her cool. "Dadabhai! Dadabhai!" She shouted at the door, surprising him. "Why are you calling him?" He asked, scared. "Dadabhaiiiii!!!" She shouted a little louder. "Okay, Okay, blue it is." He stopped her by pressing his hand against her mouth "I will hurry up!" His scared face made her giggle as she stopped at his stare and looked away, blushing. "But you...look beautiful." Shakti moved forward with half a smile as Heer stared at him wide-eyed, then stopped him a few inches away with her hands. "Go before I call Dadabhai again!"
"Dadabhai's pet!" He frowned and made his way to the changing room while she smiled to herself, picking up the heaps of clothes. The Holika was set in the middle of the ground as Jalal and Patta looked over its making. "You see, Bhaijaan, first, they put the sand and camphor wood, then add crackers to it. I added a few myself." Patta pointed happily."Acha? Is it safe?" Jalal asked, looking at the house-like structure. "Why do you sound like Dadabhai?" Patta frowned. "I was asking for Aarchi...." Jalal looked serious. "And he's slowly sounding like a parent." Chaks patted his back with a smirk. Patta smiled, "Aha!"
"Not at all, I am still fun, unlike you." Jalal's words made Chaks frown at him."Look who is here." Ajabdeh smiled at them as Patta came to cuddle Aarchi. "Mausi, you sit with Ranima... It's better to see from a distance." Pratap was looking after the ladies when he frowned at the door to the lawn. "Where is Shakti?"
"Ajabdeh, please check on them. They will do the rituals." Ranima called her, "The time is..." Ajabdeh handed Aarchi to Patta as she ran inside. "What the hell?" Shakti frowned, checking the mirror. "This broach isn't going with the dress."
"Then don't wear it." Heer was folding up the clothes from the floor. "Should I change the Kurta and..."
"Don't you dare?" Her scolding stopped him." What are you two up to? Everyone is waiting." Ajabdhe stopped at the threshold. "Jija, where is Brownie ..." Heer asked.
"He's scared of the crackers, so I let him stay in my room... shut the windows."
"He sounds like you", Shakti smirked as Ajabdeh gave him a threatening look as he silently followed her out, much to Heer's delight. Everyone gathered around the Holika as Ajabdeh took a seat beside Ranima with Aarchi in her arms, as her mother was busy clicking pictures. Heer directed the torch (mashal) towards Shakti as they smiled at each other before lighting the Holika. "Careful!" Jalal's words surprised everyone as he looked awkward, and Sau whispered to Rukaiya, "He is sounding more responsible from now!" making her smile. "Holika Dahan symbolises the victory of good over evil..." Ajabdeh was telling Patta, who frowned, "I hear this every year now! Don't tell us the same story every year, Jija, tell Aarchi about Prahlad!"
"Ajabde maata ki jai!" Chak's words met a slap on his back from Ajabdeh as Sau laughed, making Pratap smile. One of the rockets from the Dahan was misplaced and landed at Patta's feet while he was trying to get a close view of the event, making him jump up in surprise. Everyone looked worried for a moment when, to Ajabdeh's surprise, Aarchi giggled, making her smile. "She laughed." Made everyone stare at her as Sau asked, "What?"
"She laughed. Her first laughter." Ajabdeh looked at Sau wide-eyed with a smile."I did that...." Patta smirked."Patta, jump again," Chaks suggested. "We will take her video." In the next ten minutes, everyone was ready with their cameras and phones as Ajabdeh made Aarchi sit up comfortably on her lap. Patta was tired of jumping and making weird noises in vain as Aarchi looked confused at everyone.
"She is not laughing, but I am tired!" Patta sat down on the lawn as Jaivanta and Hansa smiled at each other. "You can't make her laugh forcibly," Hansa suggested. "I swear she laughed, I swear." Ajabdeh frowned. "Fattu is useless! He should have jumped the same way." Shakti frowned."Now this is my fault?" Patta frowned back. "Ohho, stop fighting, you two!" Heer stopped them." Why is she not laughing? I am always laughing!" Chaks smiled as Jalal stared at him. "Maybe she took after her mom..." Ruk's words met Sau's cold stare as she opened her mouth to protest. "Or on her Mausi!" Pratap's words made Ajabdeh look wide-eyed as Ranima and Hansa smiled at each other, and everyone went "Oo!"Dadabhai should be scared!" Shakti giggled. "What do you mean? Don't I laugh enough?" Ajabdeh frowned as everyone stared at each other."Come on!" She looked at the silent crowd as they laughed. "I will make her laugh today!" Shakti spoke determinedly as Heer asked worried, "And how?"
"Aarchi, let's go watch Baby's Day Out."
"Wow Baby's Day Out.." Pratap taunted. " She is an infant."
"Ohho, Shakti Dadabhai knows better after all, he is also an infant." Patta's words made him chase all over the lawn. Shakti was about to hold him when he pushed by mistake, and Patta fell flat on the lawn, making everyone laugh. Aarchi laughed too, making them go "aww" as Shakti smiled victoriously ", Yay yay I did it!"
That night, Ajabdeh was looking through some files Mr Rathore had sent her from the school when he walked in without a knock, making Brownie jump on him, wagging his tail."Hey buddy, calm down." He patted, smiling as Brownie licked in delight. "The school needs new teachers." She spoke absentmindedly. "I will send Mr Rathore with the ad to the newspaper office."
"We need the publicity and sponsors as soon as possible." She spoke, biting the tip of her pen."You seem to be giving in well to the idea of a ramp walk; you can't wait." He smiled tauntingly. "You know it's not that! The publicity will help us get people to apply for jobs, funds and even help."
"I know that." He sat down on the bed and took away her file. "Now stop talking of work, it's Holi. Pehla rang toh main hi lagaunga." He smiled as eyes met. "We aren't kids anymore." She shook her head with a smile. "So what?"
"Keep your antics in check!" She giggled, making him hold her hand to make her stop.
"You bring that out in me." His half-smile made her heart skip a beat."Accha ji?" She smiled sarcastically."Haan Ji." He copied her tone as eyes met. "Goodnight." She looked away at her pillow. " Leave now."
"Close your eyes once." He was still wearing that smile she dreaded. "Why?" She asked, confused. "No questions, do it." He pointed his hand as she sighed in defeat. "Now?" She closed her eyes in fear and anticipation, yet was clueless. He smiled as he took the red Gulaal out of his pocket, smearing her cheeks with it, surprising her as he softly said, "Happy Holi Ajabdeh."She opened her eyes to realise the proximity, and she blushed redder to look away as he moved forward, cornering her on the bed. "Brownie." She managed to remind him before he smiled at her thoughts and rubbed his cheeks with hers as he whispered in her ears, "Aise Hi hamesha apne rang mein dhalte rehna mujhe." Eyes met and smiled before she hid her face in his chest, listening to his racing heart as he kissed her forehead. Brownie was about to bark, but Ajabdeh could read his mind and picked him up on her lap for a hug as Pratap patted the dog and smiled at her.
"Holi hai!!!!!" The air was filled with colours and cheers as Ranisa appeared before the villagers with Kunwar Pratap to distribute gifts. Ajabdeh, in a white Anarkali and Heer, in a white cotton Lehenga, were helping Sau arrange for the Holi pujas in the hall while Rukaiya held Aarchi. Shakti and Patta were in a corner when Jalal smiled at them in a secret look that caught Ruk's attention, making her wonder what they were up to. "We are going to the grounds." Patta declared as Ruk got up. "I will sit with Aarchi on the balcony. You people enjoy it." She smiled as Jalal nodded an approving smile. Everyone made their way out on the ground, where Shakti had invited some friends and acquaintances. On one side, there was the table laid for treats, with chairs and tables arranged; on the other side was a makeshift dance floor with the DJ and the Gulaals ready. The theme was white, and the Thandai section was in the middle with Lassis and Kulfis to serve the guests."I arranged everything." Shakti flaunted as Pratap said, "No bhang, I hope?"
"No, No." Patta and Shakti smiled in unison as he frowned suspiciously. Ajabdeh and Sau brought out the Mithai that were handmade at home to serve the guests as per tradition. Ajabdeh spotted Heer and Shakti smearing Patta with colours, as memories of many similar Holi made her smile. She looked up at the Balcony to spot Rukaiya and Aarchi and followed Rukaiya's eyes to spot Pratap and Jalal in a corner and smiled inwardly."Bhaang?" Heer's voice was louder than usual as Patta and Shakti looked alarmed. "Hush!"They said in unison. "I want to taste it", Heer smiled excitedly. "Don't you dare tell Jija or Dadabhai..." Shakti pointed, alarmed. "I won't, I swear. Give me some." She swore as Patta looked doubtful."Drink it and stay with me, please. Just in case." Shakti remembered as she nodded obediently as Patta handed her the glass. "I always wanted to taste it." She giggled. "Hush!" Patta reminded me."Hush", she repeated as Patta ran to grab some more. "Listen..." Shakti smiled, watching her stare at the glass, a little unsure. "Hmm? ""Happy Holi Kunwaraniji." He took some red Gulaal from the nearest Thaali and smeared her hairline and cheeks as she took a handful to do the same to his face with a giggle.
"Remember those Holis?"
"Every one of them." He smiled.
Pratap was sitting in a corner watching the trio doubtfully as Jalal walked up to him."Something is wrong here ..." Pratap looked doubtful as Jalal smiled "Wait, Pratap, you remember our Lassi bet?"
"Ha, you lost every time!" Pratap smirked. "Let's do it again." Jalal offered him a glass of Thandai. He looked at it doubtfully. "But something is..." Pratap's words were interrupted by "Are you scared?" From Jalal. That did it for him as Pratap picked up the glass, saying, "I am never scared!"
"Acha? One two three...." Five glasses down, Jalal smiled, watching him drink the sixth one. "You lose." Pratap sounded pleased. "Too bad!" Jalal taunted with a smile. Pratap frowned at his smile as he felt funny inside. "Oh shit! Jalal!" His words made Jalal laugh and pat him, "Bura na mano Holi hai!"What are they... Ajabdeh was watching Jalal hug Pratap from a distance, rather clueless, with a smile. She turned to bring more sweets when Sau smiled with a plate of sweets in her hands." I made them." Sau smiled. "They taste nice." She complimented. "Have some more!" Sau offered. "Later." She walked away as Sau frowned. "Isn't it the same sweet we added..." Chaks words met a nudge from his wife. "Hush!"
"Where is Heer?" Patta scratched his head, confused, looking around as he spotted Shakti with some friends. "Where is Heer?" Shakti's words met Patta's fearful eyes as they said in unison, "You were supposed to look after her. Shit!"
Ajabdeh's eyes searched the colour-smeared crowd for Choti when her eyes stopped wide at the sight. Balam pichkari jo tune mujhe maari toh bole re zamana kharabi ho gayi. Mere angraja jo tera rang laga toh seedhi sadhi chori sharabi ho gayi. The DJ played on. There she was on the table, Yes! On the table, trying to stand straight. She pointed at Shakti as Patta seemed amused with an "Oops!" and Shakti gulped pale at Ajabdeh's cold stare. Shakti promptly walked up to the table to bring her down, thank god Ranima and Mausi were resting! He ignored Ajabdeh's cold stare as he pulled her in vain, and she landed on him. Heer seemed too happy without a care in the world as he managed to say "Hush." Ajabdeh shook her head. She turned twice, surprised as behind her on the dance floor were Pratap and Jalal. Heer smiled gleefully as Shakti whispered to Patta, "We are dead!" Heer let go of Shakti and joined her brothers on the dance floor as Ajabdeh opened her mouth to protest in vain. So Princely of him. Chaks dragged a scared Shakti to the floor beside Heer as Patta followed with a smirk at Ajabdeh. Jeans pehan ke jo tune maara thumka toh lattu parosan ki bhabi ho gayi. Pratap pointed at Ruk on the balcony, who laughed. "Forget them, let them be, have some more sweets." Sau offered Ajabdeh some sweets again. "You are right, they are not kids anymore." She took two sweets. "One more." Sau smiled and gave her three more. She obliged, staring at the dance floor. Shakti caught Heer's wrist as she blushed and pushed him away. Chaks dragged Sau to the dance floor as she quickly handed the plate of sweets to Ajabdeh. "This is tasty." Ajabdeh smiled at the sweets, taking two more. Balam Pichkari Jo Tune Mujhe maari .... The dance floor had become a madhouse by then as Ajabdeh spotted Pratap and Jalal doing the Naagin dance, making her frown some more at him."He forgot me." She turned to leave the crowd when he caught her wrist. Ajabdeh felt like she wanted to laugh; it was strange, but she didn't laugh and gave him her angry look instead as he smiled at her cute expression. She smiled as he dragged her towards him, and she pushed him away. Mujhko pata hai re kya chahta hai tu Boli bhajan teri niyaat kawali hai... She twirled and laughed, making him smile as Jalal smiled at them. Jalal jumped in between them and started dancing with Pratap, much to her surprise. They both pointed at her as she laughed. Everyone danced around carefree as Ruk hugged Aarchi "You see, baby, that's our crazy family." Ajabdeh was not at all surprised to see herself cornered as Pratap and Jalal seemed, err... lost in each other. As the music stopped, Rukaiya called from the balcony, "Enough now, come up, Jalal..."
"She is calling me." Jalal smiled at everyone and did exactly what they expected. Started climbing up the pipe to the balcony as Pratap and Shakti rushed to stop him."Ya Allah! Use the Stairs." Ruk giggled. "That will take more time to reach you." Jalal smiled at her as Sau was "Aww"
"Are you done? Or I should go down?" Ruk's threat seemed to work wonders on his drunk state as he walked inside. "I will go freshen up and feed Aarchi," Sau spoke up as Chaks followed. "Where did Patta go?" Shakti looked around, worried as he held Heer firmly, who was still smiling and talking to herself. Pratap held Ajabdeh by her wrist, firmly guiding her to her room as they passed through the corridor of the Andarmahals. Her singing and occasional giggles made him say, "Hush! Ranima will catch you..."
"Save me then." Her innocent smile made him shake his head and smile. Hearing footsteps in the corridor that seemed like Ranima's, Pratap grew alarmed and had no option but to push Ajabdeh into his room so that Ranima wouldn't spot them. The last thing he would want was Ranima to know what Shakti did today, although he couldn't deny they had never had so much fun in any Holi. "This is your..."
"Hush!" He pressed his hand against her mouth, pushing her back to the wall as he stared out of the small glass section on the door for a look as Ranima walked by. Ajabdeh stared right at his Gulaal-smeared red face as a smile filled her eyes.
"She's gone... now you..." he stopped at her unusual stare. "What?" He asked as she looked away. "We missed out on so many things." She seemed sad as she sat on his bed. "We did. We will make up for it, too." He held her hand firmly in his. "I promise." She smiled back at him and yawned. " I am sleepy."
"Not here..." He was too late as she lay down with a chuckle. "I feel funny."
"Me too." He smiled. " A little less than you!"
"Liar," she pointed her finger at him and jumped up. "Ajabdeh ." His deep voice and stare made her heart skip a beat. His hand travelled to her waist and then to her dupatta as he pulled it down."Pr... Pratap." She managed before she was half lying on the bed, trying to move away, and he was guarding both sides with his hands. She rested her head on the cushion and managed to rub her hand on his cheeks. "We are drunk." She reminded him. "So drunk." He repeated, not moving an inch." I...." She started to stop, surprised as he moved away, and some guilt hit him. She immediately held him back by her hand, saying, "Don't go." It seemed more like a plea Ajabdeh had never imagined to plead. Her words made him look at her, surprised as she pulled him back to his initial position. "Please don't go." Her words made him smile as he hugged her, resting his head on the nape of her neck. His warm breath made a shiver run down her spine as she hugged back tighter. His hands travelled to the Latkan as he pulled at it, making her look at him as he softly kissed her neck, chin and cheeks. The red Gulaal on her face was no match for her blush as she stared back at him, as he stopped to admire her blushing smile. "Pratap..."
"Hmm?"
"I'm ready." Her words made her eyes meet as she pulled him close by his collar, and he obliged to show her love in a completely different way. Lips touched uneasily as she gasped a little, making room for him to deepen the kiss into a deep lock, pouring in all the desires he had kept to himself all this time. Lips parted as she leaned in again, making him smile. This time, Ajabdeh responded like he wanted her to. He pulled back as she lay there, and silence followed as hands locked in each other's smiles. "Sleepy." She pouted again, making him smile as he kissed her forehead, and she closed her eyes.
"Wake up, you two! What are you doing in my bedroom? It's 7 PM!" Rukaiya's scolding hurt Pratap's head, and he looked at her with a frown. "What is it?"
"What is it??? You are lying with my husband in my bed and asking me what it is?" Pratap looked wide-eyed at Jalal, smiling an inch away from him on the bed, and he jumped up. "How did I...."
"You were loitering in the corridor, so I brought you to the room to sleep with me." Jalal smiled as Rukaiya shut her ears, "Ya Allah, I should be buried in the ground before hearing of such sins..."
"Nautanki." Pratap and Jalal stopped her in unison as she giggled and said, " I made Pakoras, so freshen up and come down to the lawn. Pratap, go and find Shakti and Heer and tell them too." As Rukaiya walked away, Pratap sat scratching his head. The last thing he remembered was... oh shit... oh no... was that a dream? He looked doubtfully at Jalal. "Did I do something .... Umm... I mean ... wrong with you?" He asked as Jalal frowned cluelessly. "Wrong? What?"
"Must have been a dream." He spoke with relief. "What dream?" Jalal scratched his head. "Nothing, you freshen up, I will find Shakti." Pratap walked out, trying to remember what had happened. Ajabdeh woke as Brownie nudged at her. "Hmm... Baby..." She patted the dog to jump up and look around. Pratap's room? She remembered flashes as she went, "Oh shit." Hurrying to go out before anyone saw her, she picked up her dupatta from the floor and walked out into the corridor. A turn in the corridor, and they almost bumped into each other and looked away. Oh shit, it wasn't a dream! Did I force myself on him? They looked at each other as though they could hear each other, as he managed to say, " I am looking for Shakti..."
"I will go see Ruk..." They left in a hurry. Shit, this is awkward. Pratap shook his head. Should I talk about it? She wondered while freshening up. Looking at the dupatta in hand, she smiled to herself, remembering..." Kings had so many kids." Heer giggled as Shakti looked out to see if someone was there. Her nonstop talking had prompted him to hide her in the rooftop room, where they remained seated till late evening. Now, she was beginning to feel tired. "So?" He asked, amused. Today, he liked the dancing and singing carefree Heer he once knew. He also knew a lot she never shared otherwise, like she had dreams of her parents. Seeing motherless puppies made her sad. And most importantly, she had never truly been in love before. "Like 40 50 children...." She appeared to be thinking. "Maybe." He seemed unsure. "So we will make one... no two... football teams." She hid her face with her hand as she giggled. "Football team? What do you mean?" He frowned cluelessly. "Ours...." She held out her ten fingers like a kid. "We will have so many kids. You are a prince after all!"
"What?" He looked wide-eyed at his wife. He imagined what would happen when the next morning, she would be all red, remembering what she said. "Yes!" She hugged him, making him shake his head. "Heeriye...please, you need sleep."
"Not sleepy!" She complained. He got up to pull her up, saying, "It's been five hours, you are talking like this."
"There you are! Hiding after making everyone take Bhang." Pratap's words made him gulp. "Dadabhai!" Heer ran to him gleefully. "I will have twenty children..."
"Okay, stop." Shakti shut her mouth as Pratap controlled a laugh. "Let me speak... You have twenty-five.... umm... Where is Patta? I miss him." Shakti looked away awkwardly until she mentioned Patta. "She is right, where is Patta?" He sounded worried as Pratap dragged them to the lawn. Sau and Jalal were there with Patta, who was crying. Heer ran to him for a hug "Aww, don't cry, baby."
"She left me." He sobbed like a baby. "Jiwa"
" You got saved." Jalal's words met louder sobs and a frown from the girls. "I mean someone better will come." Jalal patted him. "Really?" Rukaiya's voice startled him "You think so?"
" I..."
"I am missing her." Patta sobbed as Shakti murmured, "The entire clan is mad." He stopped wide-eyed at Heer and Patta as Pratap smirked, "Ohho", before Shakti ran, making them chase him. "Where did Ajabdeh go?" Chaks asked, looking at Pratap as he looked away. "Umm...she said she has a headache." Sau smiled. Headache? Pratap thought absentmindedly. Is she offended? "We will leave tomorrow," Jalal said, sipping his tea. " We need to get ready for the event."
"Great." Pratap managed a smile. Shit. Ajabdeh was on the rooftop with Brownie only after she made sure everyone had retired for the day. The fresh air was doing her some good as her heart raced. How will I talk to him? Was it a mistake? No, it wasn't. I was drunk? He knows that. Damn. He can't even say he loves and he's... no, I am... urgh! His footsteps made her turn as eyes met. Woof! Brownie was on his lap, and he patted with a smile before Brownie jumped off for some sniffing business. "Umm... Jalal said we are going back tomorrow." He smiled faintly. "Right." She looked away." For the Charity event." He was talking about everything except..."Hmm..."
"Are you okay?" His words made her look up with a nod. "Shouldn't I be?"
" I mean... umm..." He looked awkward as she smiled, looking away." Goodnight." Her words made him stare at her as she smiled at him. Something in him knew that smile as he smiled back, relieved and walked up to her for a hug. He kissed her forehead, placing his chin over her hair. "A Holi to remember?"
"Forever." She smiled, blushing as he smiled back before walking away. "Come, Brownie, let's pack." She smiled at the dog.
"She is understanding so much of your Holi stories." His taunting voice made her stare at the threshold with a frown. Pratap was in a casual black Kurta. "What is it to you ?" She asked with a straight face. "I am just here to listen... how much fun exactly was Holi in Surajgarh?" He appeared to be thinking. "As far as I remember, you spent all day following Ranima in the kitchen because you were afraid of colours."
"That's rubbish, that's called helping. I am not scared of anything."
"And you ran after Shakti and Patta to make sure they were okay." He continued ignoring her protest."Choti too.." She smiled. "And... "He smirked. "And someone wanted me to smear colour on her first. The drama for that, my God!"
"Acha?" She managed to keep a straight face. "Who was that?"
"Aarchi..." Her mother interrupted with a smile at the duo as Ajabdeh picked up Aarchi."Come, baby, it's your first Holika Dahan." Ajabdeh smiled enthusiastically at Sau, who nodded to follow her out as Pratap smiled back.
"Blue or white? Think and say!" Shakti held out his embroidered Kurtas as Heer shrugged. She was ready in her red and gold Patiala suit, hair braided with a simple neckpiece from Ranima. "You have been doing this for the last half an hour." She pointed at the heaps of clothes on the floor. "Wear anything and spare me, please."
"How can I wear just anything? I am the prince of Surajgarh after all!" He flaunted as Heer lost her cool. "Dadabhai! Dadabhai!" She shouted at the door, surprising him. "Why are you calling him?" He asked, scared. "Dadabhaiiiii!!!" She shouted a little louder. "Okay, Okay, blue it is." He stopped her by pressing his hand against her mouth "I will hurry up!" His scared face made her giggle as she stopped at his stare and looked away, blushing. "But you...look beautiful." Shakti moved forward with half a smile as Heer stared at him wide-eyed, then stopped him a few inches away with her hands. "Go before I call Dadabhai again!"
"Dadabhai's pet!" He frowned and made his way to the changing room while she smiled to herself, picking up the heaps of clothes. The Holika was set in the middle of the ground as Jalal and Patta looked over its making. "You see, Bhaijaan, first, they put the sand and camphor wood, then add crackers to it. I added a few myself." Patta pointed happily."Acha? Is it safe?" Jalal asked, looking at the house-like structure. "Why do you sound like Dadabhai?" Patta frowned. "I was asking for Aarchi...." Jalal looked serious. "And he's slowly sounding like a parent." Chaks patted his back with a smirk. Patta smiled, "Aha!"
"Not at all, I am still fun, unlike you." Jalal's words made Chaks frown at him."Look who is here." Ajabdeh smiled at them as Patta came to cuddle Aarchi. "Mausi, you sit with Ranima... It's better to see from a distance." Pratap was looking after the ladies when he frowned at the door to the lawn. "Where is Shakti?"
"Ajabdeh, please check on them. They will do the rituals." Ranima called her, "The time is..." Ajabdeh handed Aarchi to Patta as she ran inside. "What the hell?" Shakti frowned, checking the mirror. "This broach isn't going with the dress."
"Then don't wear it." Heer was folding up the clothes from the floor. "Should I change the Kurta and..."
"Don't you dare?" Her scolding stopped him." What are you two up to? Everyone is waiting." Ajabdhe stopped at the threshold. "Jija, where is Brownie ..." Heer asked.
"He's scared of the crackers, so I let him stay in my room... shut the windows."
"He sounds like you", Shakti smirked as Ajabdeh gave him a threatening look as he silently followed her out, much to Heer's delight. Everyone gathered around the Holika as Ajabdeh took a seat beside Ranima with Aarchi in her arms, as her mother was busy clicking pictures. Heer directed the torch (mashal) towards Shakti as they smiled at each other before lighting the Holika. "Careful!" Jalal's words surprised everyone as he looked awkward, and Sau whispered to Rukaiya, "He is sounding more responsible from now!" making her smile. "Holika Dahan symbolises the victory of good over evil..." Ajabdeh was telling Patta, who frowned, "I hear this every year now! Don't tell us the same story every year, Jija, tell Aarchi about Prahlad!"
"Ajabde maata ki jai!" Chak's words met a slap on his back from Ajabdeh as Sau laughed, making Pratap smile. One of the rockets from the Dahan was misplaced and landed at Patta's feet while he was trying to get a close view of the event, making him jump up in surprise. Everyone looked worried for a moment when, to Ajabdeh's surprise, Aarchi giggled, making her smile. "She laughed." Made everyone stare at her as Sau asked, "What?"
"She laughed. Her first laughter." Ajabdeh looked at Sau wide-eyed with a smile."I did that...." Patta smirked."Patta, jump again," Chaks suggested. "We will take her video." In the next ten minutes, everyone was ready with their cameras and phones as Ajabdeh made Aarchi sit up comfortably on her lap. Patta was tired of jumping and making weird noises in vain as Aarchi looked confused at everyone.
"She is not laughing, but I am tired!" Patta sat down on the lawn as Jaivanta and Hansa smiled at each other. "You can't make her laugh forcibly," Hansa suggested. "I swear she laughed, I swear." Ajabdeh frowned. "Fattu is useless! He should have jumped the same way." Shakti frowned."Now this is my fault?" Patta frowned back. "Ohho, stop fighting, you two!" Heer stopped them." Why is she not laughing? I am always laughing!" Chaks smiled as Jalal stared at him. "Maybe she took after her mom..." Ruk's words met Sau's cold stare as she opened her mouth to protest. "Or on her Mausi!" Pratap's words made Ajabdeh look wide-eyed as Ranima and Hansa smiled at each other, and everyone went "Oo!"Dadabhai should be scared!" Shakti giggled. "What do you mean? Don't I laugh enough?" Ajabdeh frowned as everyone stared at each other."Come on!" She looked at the silent crowd as they laughed. "I will make her laugh today!" Shakti spoke determinedly as Heer asked worried, "And how?"
"Aarchi, let's go watch Baby's Day Out."
"Wow Baby's Day Out.." Pratap taunted. " She is an infant."
"Ohho, Shakti Dadabhai knows better after all, he is also an infant." Patta's words made him chase all over the lawn. Shakti was about to hold him when he pushed by mistake, and Patta fell flat on the lawn, making everyone laugh. Aarchi laughed too, making them go "aww" as Shakti smiled victoriously ", Yay yay I did it!"
That night, Ajabdeh was looking through some files Mr Rathore had sent her from the school when he walked in without a knock, making Brownie jump on him, wagging his tail."Hey buddy, calm down." He patted, smiling as Brownie licked in delight. "The school needs new teachers." She spoke absentmindedly. "I will send Mr Rathore with the ad to the newspaper office."
"We need the publicity and sponsors as soon as possible." She spoke, biting the tip of her pen."You seem to be giving in well to the idea of a ramp walk; you can't wait." He smiled tauntingly. "You know it's not that! The publicity will help us get people to apply for jobs, funds and even help."
"I know that." He sat down on the bed and took away her file. "Now stop talking of work, it's Holi. Pehla rang toh main hi lagaunga." He smiled as eyes met. "We aren't kids anymore." She shook her head with a smile. "So what?"
"Keep your antics in check!" She giggled, making him hold her hand to make her stop.
"You bring that out in me." His half-smile made her heart skip a beat."Accha ji?" She smiled sarcastically."Haan Ji." He copied her tone as eyes met. "Goodnight." She looked away at her pillow. " Leave now."
"Close your eyes once." He was still wearing that smile she dreaded. "Why?" She asked, confused. "No questions, do it." He pointed his hand as she sighed in defeat. "Now?" She closed her eyes in fear and anticipation, yet was clueless. He smiled as he took the red Gulaal out of his pocket, smearing her cheeks with it, surprising her as he softly said, "Happy Holi Ajabdeh."She opened her eyes to realise the proximity, and she blushed redder to look away as he moved forward, cornering her on the bed. "Brownie." She managed to remind him before he smiled at her thoughts and rubbed his cheeks with hers as he whispered in her ears, "Aise Hi hamesha apne rang mein dhalte rehna mujhe." Eyes met and smiled before she hid her face in his chest, listening to his racing heart as he kissed her forehead. Brownie was about to bark, but Ajabdeh could read his mind and picked him up on her lap for a hug as Pratap patted the dog and smiled at her.
"Holi hai!!!!!" The air was filled with colours and cheers as Ranisa appeared before the villagers with Kunwar Pratap to distribute gifts. Ajabdeh, in a white Anarkali and Heer, in a white cotton Lehenga, were helping Sau arrange for the Holi pujas in the hall while Rukaiya held Aarchi. Shakti and Patta were in a corner when Jalal smiled at them in a secret look that caught Ruk's attention, making her wonder what they were up to. "We are going to the grounds." Patta declared as Ruk got up. "I will sit with Aarchi on the balcony. You people enjoy it." She smiled as Jalal nodded an approving smile. Everyone made their way out on the ground, where Shakti had invited some friends and acquaintances. On one side, there was the table laid for treats, with chairs and tables arranged; on the other side was a makeshift dance floor with the DJ and the Gulaals ready. The theme was white, and the Thandai section was in the middle with Lassis and Kulfis to serve the guests."I arranged everything." Shakti flaunted as Pratap said, "No bhang, I hope?"
"No, No." Patta and Shakti smiled in unison as he frowned suspiciously. Ajabdeh and Sau brought out the Mithai that were handmade at home to serve the guests as per tradition. Ajabdeh spotted Heer and Shakti smearing Patta with colours, as memories of many similar Holi made her smile. She looked up at the Balcony to spot Rukaiya and Aarchi and followed Rukaiya's eyes to spot Pratap and Jalal in a corner and smiled inwardly."Bhaang?" Heer's voice was louder than usual as Patta and Shakti looked alarmed. "Hush!"They said in unison. "I want to taste it", Heer smiled excitedly. "Don't you dare tell Jija or Dadabhai..." Shakti pointed, alarmed. "I won't, I swear. Give me some." She swore as Patta looked doubtful."Drink it and stay with me, please. Just in case." Shakti remembered as she nodded obediently as Patta handed her the glass. "I always wanted to taste it." She giggled. "Hush!" Patta reminded me."Hush", she repeated as Patta ran to grab some more. "Listen..." Shakti smiled, watching her stare at the glass, a little unsure. "Hmm? ""Happy Holi Kunwaraniji." He took some red Gulaal from the nearest Thaali and smeared her hairline and cheeks as she took a handful to do the same to his face with a giggle.
"Remember those Holis?"
"Every one of them." He smiled.
Pratap was sitting in a corner watching the trio doubtfully as Jalal walked up to him."Something is wrong here ..." Pratap looked doubtful as Jalal smiled "Wait, Pratap, you remember our Lassi bet?"
"Ha, you lost every time!" Pratap smirked. "Let's do it again." Jalal offered him a glass of Thandai. He looked at it doubtfully. "But something is..." Pratap's words were interrupted by "Are you scared?" From Jalal. That did it for him as Pratap picked up the glass, saying, "I am never scared!"
"Acha? One two three...." Five glasses down, Jalal smiled, watching him drink the sixth one. "You lose." Pratap sounded pleased. "Too bad!" Jalal taunted with a smile. Pratap frowned at his smile as he felt funny inside. "Oh shit! Jalal!" His words made Jalal laugh and pat him, "Bura na mano Holi hai!"What are they... Ajabdeh was watching Jalal hug Pratap from a distance, rather clueless, with a smile. She turned to bring more sweets when Sau smiled with a plate of sweets in her hands." I made them." Sau smiled. "They taste nice." She complimented. "Have some more!" Sau offered. "Later." She walked away as Sau frowned. "Isn't it the same sweet we added..." Chaks words met a nudge from his wife. "Hush!"
"Where is Heer?" Patta scratched his head, confused, looking around as he spotted Shakti with some friends. "Where is Heer?" Shakti's words met Patta's fearful eyes as they said in unison, "You were supposed to look after her. Shit!"
Ajabdeh's eyes searched the colour-smeared crowd for Choti when her eyes stopped wide at the sight. Balam pichkari jo tune mujhe maari toh bole re zamana kharabi ho gayi. Mere angraja jo tera rang laga toh seedhi sadhi chori sharabi ho gayi. The DJ played on. There she was on the table, Yes! On the table, trying to stand straight. She pointed at Shakti as Patta seemed amused with an "Oops!" and Shakti gulped pale at Ajabdeh's cold stare. Shakti promptly walked up to the table to bring her down, thank god Ranima and Mausi were resting! He ignored Ajabdeh's cold stare as he pulled her in vain, and she landed on him. Heer seemed too happy without a care in the world as he managed to say "Hush." Ajabdeh shook her head. She turned twice, surprised as behind her on the dance floor were Pratap and Jalal. Heer smiled gleefully as Shakti whispered to Patta, "We are dead!" Heer let go of Shakti and joined her brothers on the dance floor as Ajabdeh opened her mouth to protest in vain. So Princely of him. Chaks dragged a scared Shakti to the floor beside Heer as Patta followed with a smirk at Ajabdeh. Jeans pehan ke jo tune maara thumka toh lattu parosan ki bhabi ho gayi. Pratap pointed at Ruk on the balcony, who laughed. "Forget them, let them be, have some more sweets." Sau offered Ajabdeh some sweets again. "You are right, they are not kids anymore." She took two sweets. "One more." Sau smiled and gave her three more. She obliged, staring at the dance floor. Shakti caught Heer's wrist as she blushed and pushed him away. Chaks dragged Sau to the dance floor as she quickly handed the plate of sweets to Ajabdeh. "This is tasty." Ajabdeh smiled at the sweets, taking two more. Balam Pichkari Jo Tune Mujhe maari .... The dance floor had become a madhouse by then as Ajabdeh spotted Pratap and Jalal doing the Naagin dance, making her frown some more at him."He forgot me." She turned to leave the crowd when he caught her wrist. Ajabdeh felt like she wanted to laugh; it was strange, but she didn't laugh and gave him her angry look instead as he smiled at her cute expression. She smiled as he dragged her towards him, and she pushed him away. Mujhko pata hai re kya chahta hai tu Boli bhajan teri niyaat kawali hai... She twirled and laughed, making him smile as Jalal smiled at them. Jalal jumped in between them and started dancing with Pratap, much to her surprise. They both pointed at her as she laughed. Everyone danced around carefree as Ruk hugged Aarchi "You see, baby, that's our crazy family." Ajabdeh was not at all surprised to see herself cornered as Pratap and Jalal seemed, err... lost in each other. As the music stopped, Rukaiya called from the balcony, "Enough now, come up, Jalal..."
"She is calling me." Jalal smiled at everyone and did exactly what they expected. Started climbing up the pipe to the balcony as Pratap and Shakti rushed to stop him."Ya Allah! Use the Stairs." Ruk giggled. "That will take more time to reach you." Jalal smiled at her as Sau was "Aww"
"Are you done? Or I should go down?" Ruk's threat seemed to work wonders on his drunk state as he walked inside. "I will go freshen up and feed Aarchi," Sau spoke up as Chaks followed. "Where did Patta go?" Shakti looked around, worried as he held Heer firmly, who was still smiling and talking to herself. Pratap held Ajabdeh by her wrist, firmly guiding her to her room as they passed through the corridor of the Andarmahals. Her singing and occasional giggles made him say, "Hush! Ranima will catch you..."
"Save me then." Her innocent smile made him shake his head and smile. Hearing footsteps in the corridor that seemed like Ranima's, Pratap grew alarmed and had no option but to push Ajabdeh into his room so that Ranima wouldn't spot them. The last thing he would want was Ranima to know what Shakti did today, although he couldn't deny they had never had so much fun in any Holi. "This is your..."
"Hush!" He pressed his hand against her mouth, pushing her back to the wall as he stared out of the small glass section on the door for a look as Ranima walked by. Ajabdeh stared right at his Gulaal-smeared red face as a smile filled her eyes.
"She's gone... now you..." he stopped at her unusual stare. "What?" He asked as she looked away. "We missed out on so many things." She seemed sad as she sat on his bed. "We did. We will make up for it, too." He held her hand firmly in his. "I promise." She smiled back at him and yawned. " I am sleepy."
"Not here..." He was too late as she lay down with a chuckle. "I feel funny."
"Me too." He smiled. " A little less than you!"
"Liar," she pointed her finger at him and jumped up. "Ajabdeh ." His deep voice and stare made her heart skip a beat. His hand travelled to her waist and then to her dupatta as he pulled it down."Pr... Pratap." She managed before she was half lying on the bed, trying to move away, and he was guarding both sides with his hands. She rested her head on the cushion and managed to rub her hand on his cheeks. "We are drunk." She reminded him. "So drunk." He repeated, not moving an inch." I...." She started to stop, surprised as he moved away, and some guilt hit him. She immediately held him back by her hand, saying, "Don't go." It seemed more like a plea Ajabdeh had never imagined to plead. Her words made him look at her, surprised as she pulled him back to his initial position. "Please don't go." Her words made him smile as he hugged her, resting his head on the nape of her neck. His warm breath made a shiver run down her spine as she hugged back tighter. His hands travelled to the Latkan as he pulled at it, making her look at him as he softly kissed her neck, chin and cheeks. The red Gulaal on her face was no match for her blush as she stared back at him, as he stopped to admire her blushing smile. "Pratap..."
"Hmm?"
"I'm ready." Her words made her eyes meet as she pulled him close by his collar, and he obliged to show her love in a completely different way. Lips touched uneasily as she gasped a little, making room for him to deepen the kiss into a deep lock, pouring in all the desires he had kept to himself all this time. Lips parted as she leaned in again, making him smile. This time, Ajabdeh responded like he wanted her to. He pulled back as she lay there, and silence followed as hands locked in each other's smiles. "Sleepy." She pouted again, making him smile as he kissed her forehead, and she closed her eyes.
"Wake up, you two! What are you doing in my bedroom? It's 7 PM!" Rukaiya's scolding hurt Pratap's head, and he looked at her with a frown. "What is it?"
"What is it??? You are lying with my husband in my bed and asking me what it is?" Pratap looked wide-eyed at Jalal, smiling an inch away from him on the bed, and he jumped up. "How did I...."
"You were loitering in the corridor, so I brought you to the room to sleep with me." Jalal smiled as Rukaiya shut her ears, "Ya Allah, I should be buried in the ground before hearing of such sins..."
"Nautanki." Pratap and Jalal stopped her in unison as she giggled and said, " I made Pakoras, so freshen up and come down to the lawn. Pratap, go and find Shakti and Heer and tell them too." As Rukaiya walked away, Pratap sat scratching his head. The last thing he remembered was... oh shit... oh no... was that a dream? He looked doubtfully at Jalal. "Did I do something .... Umm... I mean ... wrong with you?" He asked as Jalal frowned cluelessly. "Wrong? What?"
"Must have been a dream." He spoke with relief. "What dream?" Jalal scratched his head. "Nothing, you freshen up, I will find Shakti." Pratap walked out, trying to remember what had happened. Ajabdeh woke as Brownie nudged at her. "Hmm... Baby..." She patted the dog to jump up and look around. Pratap's room? She remembered flashes as she went, "Oh shit." Hurrying to go out before anyone saw her, she picked up her dupatta from the floor and walked out into the corridor. A turn in the corridor, and they almost bumped into each other and looked away. Oh shit, it wasn't a dream! Did I force myself on him? They looked at each other as though they could hear each other, as he managed to say, " I am looking for Shakti..."
"I will go see Ruk..." They left in a hurry. Shit, this is awkward. Pratap shook his head. Should I talk about it? She wondered while freshening up. Looking at the dupatta in hand, she smiled to herself, remembering..." Kings had so many kids." Heer giggled as Shakti looked out to see if someone was there. Her nonstop talking had prompted him to hide her in the rooftop room, where they remained seated till late evening. Now, she was beginning to feel tired. "So?" He asked, amused. Today, he liked the dancing and singing carefree Heer he once knew. He also knew a lot she never shared otherwise, like she had dreams of her parents. Seeing motherless puppies made her sad. And most importantly, she had never truly been in love before. "Like 40 50 children...." She appeared to be thinking. "Maybe." He seemed unsure. "So we will make one... no two... football teams." She hid her face with her hand as she giggled. "Football team? What do you mean?" He frowned cluelessly. "Ours...." She held out her ten fingers like a kid. "We will have so many kids. You are a prince after all!"
"What?" He looked wide-eyed at his wife. He imagined what would happen when the next morning, she would be all red, remembering what she said. "Yes!" She hugged him, making him shake his head. "Heeriye...please, you need sleep."
"Not sleepy!" She complained. He got up to pull her up, saying, "It's been five hours, you are talking like this."
"There you are! Hiding after making everyone take Bhang." Pratap's words made him gulp. "Dadabhai!" Heer ran to him gleefully. "I will have twenty children..."
"Okay, stop." Shakti shut her mouth as Pratap controlled a laugh. "Let me speak... You have twenty-five.... umm... Where is Patta? I miss him." Shakti looked away awkwardly until she mentioned Patta. "She is right, where is Patta?" He sounded worried as Pratap dragged them to the lawn. Sau and Jalal were there with Patta, who was crying. Heer ran to him for a hug "Aww, don't cry, baby."
"She left me." He sobbed like a baby. "Jiwa"
" You got saved." Jalal's words met louder sobs and a frown from the girls. "I mean someone better will come." Jalal patted him. "Really?" Rukaiya's voice startled him "You think so?"
" I..."
"I am missing her." Patta sobbed as Shakti murmured, "The entire clan is mad." He stopped wide-eyed at Heer and Patta as Pratap smirked, "Ohho", before Shakti ran, making them chase him. "Where did Ajabdeh go?" Chaks asked, looking at Pratap as he looked away. "Umm...she said she has a headache." Sau smiled. Headache? Pratap thought absentmindedly. Is she offended? "We will leave tomorrow," Jalal said, sipping his tea. " We need to get ready for the event."
"Great." Pratap managed a smile. Shit. Ajabdeh was on the rooftop with Brownie only after she made sure everyone had retired for the day. The fresh air was doing her some good as her heart raced. How will I talk to him? Was it a mistake? No, it wasn't. I was drunk? He knows that. Damn. He can't even say he loves and he's... no, I am... urgh! His footsteps made her turn as eyes met. Woof! Brownie was on his lap, and he patted with a smile before Brownie jumped off for some sniffing business. "Umm... Jalal said we are going back tomorrow." He smiled faintly. "Right." She looked away." For the Charity event." He was talking about everything except..."Hmm..."
"Are you okay?" His words made her look up with a nod. "Shouldn't I be?"
" I mean... umm..." He looked awkward as she smiled, looking away." Goodnight." Her words made him stare at her as she smiled at him. Something in him knew that smile as he smiled back, relieved and walked up to her for a hug. He kissed her forehead, placing his chin over her hair. "A Holi to remember?"
"Forever." She smiled, blushing as he smiled back before walking away. "Come, Brownie, let's pack." She smiled at the dog.
