Closure

The room of the ancestors was full of people. The queens of the ranimahal, along with the clueless princes and princesses, Rawatji, and Pur’s family, were looking cluelessly at Kunwar Shakti, who had gathered them here.

“Kunwar Shakti, hume apne yaha kyun bulaya?” Rana Udai Singh’s voice was a little irked as a calm Jaivanta Bai walked in behind him, giving Shakti a reassuring nod.

“Woh Daajiraj…” Shakti rubbed his hands together, looking at the doorway.

“Pur Baisa aur Ajabde kaha hai?” Jaivanta read his mind and questioned the people around her as Dheerbai hid a smile 

“Bijolia ki Samanth ko sambhavta yeh Sisodia parivaar ka sabha mein aana uchit nahi laga hoga.”

“Hum dekhte hain.” Sajja Bai promptly made her way to the door and stopped at the sight of Kunwar Pratap.

Kunwar Pratap, in his royal blue attire and red turban, had appeared to have freshened up before walking in here. Sajja smiled as he looked up at her face, folding his hands in greeting. His face looked tense. But his eyes sparkled the way they did whenever he was at war. With one look at him, Sajja knew something big was going to happen.

“Hum Pur Baisa aur Ajab…” She stopped as he nodded no.

“Jinko aana hoga, woh khud chalke ayenge. Bhai Shakti, apne sandesa bhijwaya na?” Shakti nodded in affirmation.

“Jija.” Pur’s voice made Ajabdeh promptly sit up to wipe away her tears. “Aap…”

“Hum theek hai Baisa…”

“Hum e shama kar dijiye, Jija.” Pur sat on the floor, hands folded at Ajabdeh’s feet, making her move away.

“Yeh aap kya kar rahi…”

“Hum se bohot badi bhool ho gayi, hum ne jaan bujh ke aapko dukh diya…. Hum ko saari baatein pata kar lena chahiye tha… lekin nahi… hum ko laga aap dono baat karenge toh sab theek ho jaega… isliye hum hi ne unko waha…” Pur wept between her words, “Shama….”

“Pur.” Ajabde lifted her by her shoulder, wiping away her tears. “Aap ne toh hum pe ehsaan kia hai, aap ne humare andar pal rahe chote se aas ko bujha diya. Hum ko laga tha k ve… ek baar bas ek baar hum ko rok ke bol denge… ke Ajabde hum ko pata tha humari Ajabdeh toh aisi hai hi nahi… hum e pata tha ke chotima jhut bol rahi….” Ajabde wiped off the coming tears. “Par nahi… unko toh pata bhi nahi kis baat ka ve shama mange humse….”

“Rajkumarisa.” A daasi made them look at the door. “Maharani Jaivanta Baisa aap dono ko Purvajo ke kamre ke sabha mein bula rahi hai.”

“Ranima?” Ajabde had frowned at Pur, who was thinking the same. They had received a notice from Kunwar Shakti about a meeting at the hall; both had assumed Kunwar Pratap wanted to talk again. Ajabde didn’t want to go, and Pur had no right to force her after the events of the morning. But Ranima?

The whispers in the hall turned to pin-drop silence as Pur appeared, holding Ajabdeh Baisa’s hand reassuringly. Kunwar Pratap was silent all this while, staring at the flickering lamp at Lord Ram’s feet, before the silence made him turn. Pur folded her hands at the elders and was about to direct Ajabdeh with her towards Jaivanta Bai, who had gestured at them to join her. Ajabdeh stopped making heads turn.

“Some more drama…” Dheer Bai stopped as Udai Singh stared at her like a warning.

Ajabdeh touched the threshold with her fingers and touched them to her head just like Jaivanta Bai had done a few days back. Sajja smiled at her Jija’s shadow as Pur beamed. Kunwar Pratap’s eyes sparkled with pride. The room of the ancestors. They had known her secret sacrifices, those secret promises to her motherland, to him. This room was always special. She looked straight at Kunwar Pratap and Kunwar Shakti, who looked away before joining Pur.

“Kunwar Pratap… kya hum jaan sakte hain humko yaha kyun bulaya gaya hai?” Rawatji followed Udai Singh’s nod and asked.

“Ab jab sab aa chuke hai toh…. Hum e lagta hai baat kar leni chahiye…” Kunwar Shakti nodded.

“Ranima. Hum pehle kuch sawal karne hain… Hum e umeed hai ke sabhi apne apne sahi jawab denge.” Kunwar Pratap sought his mother's permission.

“Avashya kijiye.”

“Ranima, apne kisko aur kya likha tha jaane se pehle?”

“Hum ne Ajabdeh ke liye chitthi chori thi… ke veh ab se Ranimahal aur aapke sabhi dwaittya le aur hum e humare dwaittya se mukht kare.” A gasp went through the Ranimahal as Ajabde looked up at Jaivanta Bai. “Hum unko humara ghar saup ke jana chahte thee.”

“Aur Daajiraj Ko jo chitthi mili usme kya tha?” Kunwar Pratap asked as Udai Singh spoke up.

“Ke Ajabdeh ke wajah se Jaivanta Bai jaa rahi hai.”

“Iska matlab…” Kunwar Pratap walked through the hall, staring at every face. “Ranima ke kamre se, aap tak, chitthi badal gayi. Toh Ranimahal ke hi kisine badla hoga?”

He stared at an uneasy Veer Bai, rubbing her hands as he stopped.

“Aapko kya lagta hai?” His question was shot directly at Veer Bai, whose face flushed with colour. All eyes were on her as Ajabdeh frowned. Veer Bai was another Samant girl in the Royal family.

“Hum… Hum e….” She gulped, staring at Dheerbai as Kunwar Pratap followed her gaze.

“Kunwar Pratap, aap apne hi parivaar pe aise aarop laga rahe hain?” Dheerbai managed a smile.

“Ajeeb baat hai.” Kunwar Shakti spoke up, “Jab baat parivaar ki hi hai, toh parivaar mein hi suljhegi na, Chotima.”

“ Chotima. Theek hi kaha apne, waise aapse puchna tha… aapko kaha mili thi yeh chitthi?” Kunwar Pratap smiled.

“Hum e… Jija ke kamre….” Dheerbai dreaded that smile.

“Aap uss waqt unke kamre mein kyun gayi?” Kunwar Shakti didn’t let her finish.

“Ji?” Dheerbai asked, watching everyone frown at her. She was not a favourite in the Ranimahal, and now Ranaji was frowning at her too.

“Hum… Hum e itna yaad nahi…”

“Jhoot!” Kunwar Pratap’s voice boomed in the hall. “Aap jhut bol rahi hai Rani Dheer Baisa.”

“Kunwar Pratap!” Her voice was surprised as everyone gasped.

“Aapne Ranima ki likhi hui chitthi badli taaki aap humare avartamaan mein Ajabde ko mahal se nikal sakti. Taaki aap ka raj ho Ranimahal mein?”

“ Kunwar Pratap, yeh aap kya…” Udai Singh was disturbed as Rawatji stopped him.

“Kunwar Pratap sahi keh rahe.” Veer Bai’s timid voice made everyone look at her.

“Veer Baiji.” Dheer Bai warned her.

“Hum ko shama kar dijiye Jija, Ajabdeh Baisa. Hum chup rahe, hum ne apne swarth se darr ke chup rehna sahi samjha. Hume Shama….” Veer Bai’s folded hands made Jaivanta Bai hug her.

“Kaisa darr, sach kya hai Dheerbai ji?” Udai Singh was clearly angry.

“Sach wohi hai, Ranaji, jo Kunwar Pratap bol rahe hain.” Veer Bai sobbed. “ Dheer Jija ne badli chitthi kyunki woh nahi chahti thi ke Ajabdeh… Hum e shama….”

“Shama toh Dheer Bai ji mangengi” Udai Singh’s voice made everyone look at him, shocked. “Jaivanta Bai se. Aur Ajabdeh se.” made Ajabdeh look up.

“ Humm…. Shama…..”

“Mangiye shama…” Udai Singh was calm and strict as Dheerbai looked at a hall full of people.

“Hum e shama kar dijiye, Jija.” Dheerbai folded  her hands, acting sorry as Jaivanta Bai looked away “Aapko shama Ajabde se maangni chahiye; unke jeevan se khelne ke liye unke paer padhke maangni chahiye…”

Kunwar Pratap and Jaivanta looked at each other, satisfied, as Dheerbai walked up to Ajabde rather reluctantly.

“Umm… Ajabdeh….”

“Kunwaraniji boliye behena.” Sajja corrected her.

“Kunwarani Ajabdeh Baisa.” She stared at the girl she had once defeated and now looked up at her, fearless.

“ Hum e shama kar dijiye… Hum ne apko….”

“Nahi Ranisa. Shama aap kyun mangengi, aapne toh wohi kia jo aapse apekshit tha, hume aapse shikayat nahi. lekin yaha aurbhi log hai, jinke vyavhar apekshit nahi thi. Kuch jo humko hum se behtar jante the.” 

Ajabde looked at him as Kunwar Pratap closed his eyes to check himself.

“Shama toh apko Kunwar Pratap se bhi mangni chahiye, Dheer Behena.” Sajja Bai interrupted.

“ Unhone aap pe itna vishwas aur samman barsaya aur apne….”

“Nahi Manjhli Maasa. Humari galti thi ke humne kisi ko koi spastikaran ka afsaar hi nahi diya…” He stared right at Ajabdeh, who looked away. 

“Isliye humein lagta hai ke bohot der ho chuki hai shama mangne ke liye.” 

His voice choked as he looked away. Ajabdeh felt like her heart stopped beating for a moment as Pur’s hand in hers tightened. Kunwar Pratap walked up to Ajabde, all eyes on him, and folded his hands, making her look up.

“Hum e pata hai jo bhi hua usme humara utna hi dosh tha jitna chotima ka, aap pe aarop lagae, apki baatein nahi suna, aur bina samjhe hum ne… Hum e pata hai hum sirf apke nahi, Raoji, aur Hansa Masi ka bhi bohot bade gunegaar hai. Lekin Ajabdeh, itna sab kuch hua uske baad bhi humari vivah hui thi na, kya hum ko, hum dono ko ek aur baar nayi tareeke se jeevan arambh karne ka bhi adhikaar nahi?” Ajabde stood silent as Jaivanta Bai hoped she would speak up.

“ Hum e pata hai aap ko samay chahiye hoga itna bada…. Aap…. Hum…” he stopped to gather his words. “Hum agle hafte aayenge Bijolia gaune ke liye.” 

His words made everyone smile as Pur stared with hope at Ajabdeh. Her face was hard to read. “Aagar apko srikaar nahi toh gaune ka shagun maat bhejna hum… samajh jaenge.” He walked out of the hall in a hurry, and she watched him go.

“ Maasa.” Pur’s voice made Sajja smile as she welcomed the princess into the guest chambers. “Ayiye.”

“Maasa.” She stared at her mother. “Hum e wapas jaane ki taiyyari kar leni chahiye. Jija bhi kal jaa rahi hai, aur jab tak woh gaune ke liye nahi maan leti yeh vivah ka swapna aap na hi dekhe toh…”

Sajja, hearing this, left the two alone.

“Lagti kya hai woh aapki?” Pur’s mother fumed.

“Woh Mewar ki Bhabi Maharani hai, Maasa.” Pur left her mother fuming as she called the maids to pack for home.

“Hum e lagta hai yehi sahi hoga ke hum wapas jaaye, aur Ranaji ke sandesa ke liye…” Pur’s father spoke up.

“Waise koi sandesa aane se rahi.” Her mother looked troubled.

Ajabdeh was packing her belongings. She had decided to leave early at dawn the next day.

Her eyes stopped at a ring. His gift. She hurriedly put it inside the box, where it belonged, before his words came to her mind, “Yeh aapko humare paas rakhegi jab aap Bijolia mein….”

The knock on the doorknob made her turn.

“Ranima?” She looked surprised. “Ayiye na.” She cleared the sitting area for her. Jaivanta Bai smiled, dismissing the Daasis.

“Jaa rahi hai aap kal?”

“Haan.” She answered softly.

“Ajabdeh. Aaj hum aapse kuch baatein batne aye hain. Sambhavta aise baatein humne Sajja behen se bhi nahi kia, par aj jo kuch bhi hua humko lagta hai ke hum e aapse yeh baatein bolna avashak hai.”

“Kya baat hai, Ranima?” Ajabde asked, worried, placing her cold hands over Jaivanta’s colder ones.

“Bhabisa kal wapas jaa rahi hai, Dadabhai, aapne unse aisa kyun kaha? Agar woh gaune ke liye apna srikriti nahi di toh?”

Kunwar Pratap was quietly staring out at the night sky as Shakti looked troubled.

“Humare saare prayas vyarth ho jaenge, Dadabhai. Aap sunn bhi rahe hain?”

“Wohh shagun bhejegi Shakti.” His words came out clear and determined.

“Kya? Aap itna kaise…”

“Hum jante hai…” He smiled faintly at the night sky. “Humare Ajabdeh ko. Hum se chahe kitni bhi bhool ho, woh humari parchai hai, Ranima ki parchai hai. Unka gussa bilkul sahi hai, par Ajabdeh kabhi apne uttardwaittyo ko nahi bhulengi, unke vachan humne toda tha, par ve kabhi nahi torengi.” Kunwar Shakti smiled and left his brother alone.

“Ajabdeh, aapko pata hai, aapse bhi kam umar tha humara jab humare Daata aake humse kahe ke Ranaji se humara vivah tai hui hai. Is vivah se Rajputana ka bhavisya sudhrega, Jalore aur Mewar ka samridhi hoga. Banbir se jeetne ke liye yeh avashak hai. Tabh humne sirf aur sirf apne matribhoomi ka socha tha.” She stopped. 

“Kuch hi mahino mein, Sajja behen bhi ayi, hum dono saath saath rehne laage, such dukh baatein par kabhi Ranaji ko samajhne ki prayas nahi kia, nahi unhone koi chesta ki hum e janne ki. Hum Maharani ke uttardwaittya nibhane lage, Pratap aya, Shakti aye, uttardwaittya badhne lage hum ulajte gaye.” 

She stared at a confused Ajabdeh. Smiling, she continued, “Jab Pratap thode bade hue, humne unki prasikshan ki baat ki Ranaji se; humne pehli baar kuch maanga unse. Dheerbai ne samjhaya Pratap bohot chote hai. Ranaji ne kaha humko ke baad mein sochenge. Dukh hua, par humko laga shayad yeh Dheerbaiji ki mamta hai.” She sighed, continuing.

“ Dusri baar, hum ne manga unse ke Kunwar Pratap ka rajabhisekh rok de. Unhone samajhne ki prayas hi nahi kia humko. Teesri baar, hum ne aapko manga Kunwar Pratap ke liye, tabh bhi unhone Dheerbaiji ka saath dia.”

“Ranima….”

“Kabhi kabhi hum ko aisa lagta ke shayed hum bhi unko nahi samajh paate. Apne dwaittyo se uljhe huye hai bas. Hum ko iss rishtey se humara Pratap mila, wohi humare liye sab se badi baat thi. Hum ne tabhi soch lia tha Pratap ko hum waise banaenge jaise hum chahte the, veer, sahasi, apni matribhumi ke liye jeene wale.”

“Hum ko aap mili, toh hum ne islie aapko apne bahu ke roop mein nahi manga kyunki hum ko pata tha ke Kunwar Pratap aapko pasand karte. Hum ko aap pasand islie thi, kyunki humare Pratap ko humare sivae bas aap hi samajhti. Aur yeh samajhna unke liye bohot avashak hoga bhavishya mein. Bohot katheenayi aenge unke raste mein. Aur hum nahi chahte humare jaise, humare bête bhi risto ke uljhan mein ulajhke apna sapne, astitwa aur sikh kho de. Unke sapno ko aap ka saath chahiye, Ajabdeh.” She stopped holding Ajabdeh’s hands like a request.

“Hum e pata hai aap sahi hai, islie hum bas apko bol sakte hai, ke humare Pratap ko aapki avasthakta hai, Mewar ko aapki avashakta hai, aap unse….”

“Ranima.” Ajabde smiled faintly. 

“Humari maa hamesha kehti hai ke hum aapki parchhai hain. Aur hume pata hai, humare nijhi samasya ko hum kabhi apne dwaittyo mein nahi aane denge.”

“Aapka aur Pratap ka rishta inn dwaityo ke ghero aur galatfaimio se upar hai. Ajabdeh hum bas aapko yeh samjhane aaye the, ke bohot kam aise hote hain jinko apna atma maano jaise kaach ki tarah kisi aur mein spast dikhe, aap dono waise hain.”

“Hum…” Ajabdeh looked away. “Jante hai Ranima.”

“Toh…” Jaivanta Bai got up, looking at Ajabdeh.

“Hum Maa se kahenge ke shagun…” Ajabdeh looked away, a little red as Jaivanta Bai hugged her.

“Jija.” Pur entered awkwardly as both ladies wiped away their tears.

“Shama kijiye, Maharanisa, hum…” Pur apologised.

“Aree nahi nahi humari baat puri ho gayi.” Jaivanta cupped her face. “Waise hum ek baat aapse bhi bolna.”

“Ji?” She stared at the lady in awe, an epitome of grace in herself. Jaivanta Bai indicated a maid in waiting, and she brought her a box. Jaivanta Bai took out her favourite navratna Kangan from it. “Yeh aapke liye humare taraf se.”

“Lekin maharanisa… hum kaise yeh…”

“Behena. Ranima ka ashirvaad hai, swrikaar kar lo.” Ajabdeh insisted as Pur’s smile faded, making her question, “Kya hua? Pur Behena? Aapko kuch bolna hai?”

“Hum… wapas jaa rahe kal… aapke jaane se purv hi shayed…” Ajabdeh and Jaivanta Bai shared a glance as Pur smiled. “ Aap gauna kar lijiye, jija.” Ajabde hugged Pur tightly as Jaivanta smiled, “Avashya kar lenge, phir unko aapki aarti karke chittor jo lana hai, haina Ajabdeh?” Ajabdeh nodded in approval, as Pur smiled, surprised. “Aap maan gaye?”

“Aap kal jaiye apne ghar, aapko lene baraat jaegi.” Ajabdeh smiled, holding her hand. “Yeh vachan hai humara.” Pur looked troubled at the smiling Ajabdeh, as Jaivanta knew how much Ajabdeh valued her promises and smiled.

Epilogue:

“Suno! Suno! Suno! Kunwar Pratap aur Kunwaranisa Ajabdeh Baisa ki Gaune ki khushi mein Ranaji ne sab ke liye upahar ka ayojan kia hai. Suno! Suno!”

Sitting in the room that was now hers, Ajabdeh looked troubled. Her bridal attire made her look pretty as she sat waiting for Kunwarsa, and yes, there was the nervousness of the first night, and so many unsaid things to be said, but here, she was worried about what she was going to ask.

“Yehi sahi rahega.” She paced the room, rubbing her hands. “Hum aapse kuch maangna chahte hain.”

“Kya?” His voice made her jump as she looked back at him, looking at her with narrowed, questioning eyes. “Aap humse kuch maangna chahti hain?”

“Ha?” Ajabde raised her brows “Haan, haan! Hum e woh…”

“Maangiye, adhikaar hai apka.”

“Hum…” She rubbed her hands as he scrutinised. “Pur behena ko yaha laana chahte hain.”

“Toh unko patra likhiye… Hum yeh kyun…” His eyes widened at his bride as he realised what she meant.

“Hamesha ke liye.” Her words confirmed his thoughts.

“Aap janti bhi hai aap kya keh rahi hai?”

“Hum ne unse vachan diya tha….”

“Ajabdeh.” He held both her hands in his, making her look up. “Abhi abhi humara jeevan aarambh hua hai aur aap kisi teesre ko humare beech laana chahti hain?”

“Nahi Kunwarsa. Aap galat samajh rahe hain.” She took her hands off his. “Hum humare beech kisi ko laane nahi chahte, kyunki woh toh sambhav hi nahi hai; humare beech kabhi koi nahi aayegi. Hum bas humara vachan nibhana chahte hain, jismein sirf aap humari madad kar sakte hain.”

“Ajabdeh.” He smiled hopelessly, in love with her all over again. “Baat manwana koi aapse seekhe.” Made her smile back.

“Hum ne apne dharm ki baaton mein uljha ke apni baat manwa rahi hain aap.”

“Hum e pata tha aap humko nirash nahi karenge.” She smiled, making his smile fade.

“Ek baar karke saza bhugat chuke hum.” His words made her stop him with her hands.

“Hush.” Ajabdeh stopped him. “Aaj ke baad koi uss baat ka koi zikar hi nahi karega.”

“Theek hai.” He smiled, kissing her forehead.

A month later,

“Ranima aap kamse kamm vivah tak ruk jaati.” Ajabdeh insisted with a sigh.

“Haan Jija, aapke bina koi vivah hua hai iss mahal mein?” Sajja spoke up as Jaivanta Bai packed calmly.

“Ajabdeh bohot acche se swagat karengi Pur Baisa ka, aur aap toh hain hi.” She smiled at the duo. “Aur Dheer behena se bhi aarti utarva lena jaise Ajabdeh ke gaune pe kiya thaa apne.” She smiled, making Sajja smile. “Unka chehra dekhne layak tha.” She giggled softly. “Ruk jaiye na, Jija. Vivah ek mahine mein hai…”

“Hum aapse ek vachan dete chaliye.” Jaivanta Bai smiled at Ajabdeh. “Hum apne nanhe Pratap ke naam karan mein avashya aenge. Theek?” Ajabdeh blushed a little, surprised at her; maybe Kunwarsa had told Ranima already.

“Kya? Itni badi khush khabri aapne humse nahi kaha?” Sajja got up, excited. “Mewar ka uttaradhikar”

“Inhone toh humse bhi na kaha lajja se behena, lekin inke mukh par yeh khushi dekh ke samajh gaye thee hum.” Jaivanta Bai smiled as Ajabdeh hugged her, “Hum ko aap bohot yaad aengi, Ranima.”

“Aur hume aap. Humare dono Pratap o ka dhyaan rakhna, aur apna bhi.” She made Ajabdeh blush.

A year hence,

“Jija? Jija?” Kunwar Pratap and Ajabdeh sprang apart just in time before Pur entered, overexcited with Amar on her lap.

“Behena.” Ajabdeh took Amar from her lap as she stood awkwardly, realising she must have interrupted something.

“Aapko vishram ke liye bola na Vaidji ne, aur aap Amar ke saath khel rahi hai?” Ajabde frowned.

“Hum woh…. Aa…. Amar …. Bolo jo hum ne sikhaya… bolo?” She urged as the child smiled at her.

“Kya sikhaya Amar Majhli Maa ne?” Ajabde asked as Kunwar Pratap waited too.

“M….Maa….. D…dah….dahhh….” Ajabde gasped as Pur clapped excitedly, “Abhi Majhli maasa bhi bolega haina, Amar?”

“Avasya bolega.” Ajabdeh kissed Amar’s forehead as he extended his hand to Kunwar Pratap “Dah….dahh….”

“Daajiraj bolna chahte!” Pur helped a clueless Kunwar Pratap, who smiled in surprise. Pur left the trio silently as Kunwar Pratap placed Amar down to crawl on the floor while he and Ajabdeh stared at their boy and smiled proudly, parents to the future of Mewar. He held her hand in silence as she beamed with pride, and he saw her happiness as his most prized possession.

“Sadev aise hi haste rahiyega Ajabdeh.” Made her blush.