RAABTA

The two shadows met at the darkest corner of the Rani Mahal late at night. “Hua kya hai… jaldi boliye.” He looked around alarmed lest the guards see them. “Wohh, humne yeh socha ke aapko suchit kar de ke Shyaam mandir bolke hum Jija ko kaha le jana chahte.” Her voice had a hint of anxiety in it. “Matlab? Subah aapne hi toh Dadabhai se bola…” “Haan Dadabhai Shakti,woh islie kyunki hum nahi chahte thee ki woh ya Jija jaane se mana kare…” “Par le kaha ja rahe hum unko?” “Jaha sab kuch ka aanth hua tha wahi se nayi surwaad karvane.” She smiled faintly. “Kya? Vrindavan? Asambhav. Dadabhai nahi jaenge waha.” He shook his head vigorously making it a point that it was impossible to convince a adamant Kunwar Pratap. “Ve avashya aenge, unko aana parega. Jija ke liye.” Pur’s voice was loud and clear as he stood there watching her leave.  “Ajabde bhabisa ke bhaati yeh bhi sherni bann rahi, hei eklingji hum ko dadabhai ke krodh sebacha lena.” Shakti murmured a soft prayer. ...

The guests were arriving at the gateways of the main entrance of the Kumbha palace. The nagada announced each arrival as the 16 chieftains of Mewar arrived with their families to be personally welcomed and greeted by Udai Singh, Jaivanta bai and Dheer bai in toe as Rawatji introduced them to a preoccupied Kunwar Pratap. He hadn’t slept all night; he had stayed awake trying to put himself in the position of his newly married abandoned bride who had trusted him with her life. He had tried to figure out the right words of apology in vain. He knew his Ajabdeh. He knew how much it had hurt her. The morning arrived with the palace welcoming eminent guests from all over Mewar and beyond for the wedding celebrations. Udai Singh along with Dheerbai and the other queens were joined at the Kumbha Palace gates by a reluctant Kunwar Pratap and Jaivanta Bai folding hands before the guests. “Aur kaun kaun aana baaki reh gaya Rawatji?” “Saare samath aa chuke… bas kelwa ke Samanth padha...