Skip to main content

Impressed?

Ajabdeh sat staring at the wall full of pictures in Jaivanta’s room. She smiled at the larger frame of Pratap and Shakti on ponies, as kids. Jaivanta followed her eyes to the wall.
“I didn't even realise when they grew up so fast.” Made her stare at Ranisa.

“You know Ajabdeh… After Pratap, I wanted a daughter. Then Shakti came and my health deteriorated. We even considered adopting when my mother-in-law said Bahu will be like your daughter….”
O shit! Ajabdeh gulped as a bell rang in her mind making her want to jump up and leave but she was glued to her spot.
“My sons, are my pillars of strength. They made me proud. I have no complaints about them no matter what the world says…” She stopped reluctantly as Ajabdeh realized she should speak.
“Umm…. I understand Ranisa.” Do I?
“ Please Beta.” Jaivanta smiled “Call me Ranima” In her head, Ajabdeh could hear ambulance alerts. She needed to do something real quick!

“Ranisa I wanted to tell you something.” She spoke in a hurry “We…”
“You know why I chose you for him beta?” made her stop and stare. No, she didn’t. Something in her wanted to know the answer. She waited for it as Ranisa smiled.
“Because the moment I saw you, I knew you are a dreamer, you dare to follow your heart, much like my Pratap.” Jaivanta’s words made her skip a beat as her fake smile faded into a frown.
“Because I knew not many understand his priorities, but he’s not wrong, he needs someone to understand him, and you are perfect in that. I feel you two will understand each other best and today, hearing you explain the one proved me right.”

Oops! Pratap is going to kill me! I impressed her. Shit!
“Umm, Ranisa…”
“Ranima…” she corrected.
“ I didn’t…”
“You said it like you believed in it Ajabdeh, we all saw that, even Pratap.” 
Did I? She frowned. I don’t even believe in such…. She stopped her thought. Anymore...

“My child is a dreamer but he dreams for others first. Mostly us.” Jaivanta caressed the frame with his and her picture on it making Ajabdeh smile. 
“ I always wanted him to have someone he could dream with you know Ajabdeh… he has a lot of potential… only different from what his father wants from him.”
“I know.” Ajabdeh blurted. “I mean…”
“I wish his Papa could see what you and I see in him.” Jaivanta’s sigh made her frown.
“Pra… Kunwarsa doesn’t tell Ranaji his dreams? But why?” She asked.
“He never shares his dreams or his good deeds with anyone on his own… and his social works and all don’t impress Ranaji. He wants business skills.”
“But he has business skills. I saw his…” Ajabdeh stopped wide-eyed at Jaivanta’s stare. “I mean…  Jalal said…”
“I wish the father and son understand each other better for my sake.” Jaivanta sighed making Ajabdeh look at her with worry. “Leave it, am ranting. Aren't you tired?” Jaivanta got up.
Ajabdeh got up to leave “Goodnight Rani…ma” Jaivanta hugged her in a warm embrace that made her feel heavy inside.

Pratap arrived at the palace to know from Shakti that nothing happened except that he spotted Ranima smile and talk to Ajabdeh and she in turn was unusually quiet. They had left for the cottages before he arrived back home.
“Woof!”
“What’s that sound?” Shakti sounded alarmed as Pratap inhaled feeling absolutely stupid, in the “excitement” of breaking the marriage he had forgotten the pup.
“Umm wait… I will be back.” He dashed off to the car again.
“Where are you off to now?” Shakti frowned.
“I need to… go… I will be back….”
“Kika?” He was about to get into the car when Jalal stopped him.
“Jalal?” He turned.
“Are you sure everything is fine?” He frowned as Pratap flashed a smile. 
“Yes, I wanted to tell you something.” Pratap put his hands in his pocket with a shrug.
“Yes?” Jalal waited for it.
“ We need a meeting with you tomorrow at your Udaipur office.” Pratap's words made him frown.
“We?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Ajab… umm… I wanted Ajabdeh to come along and I want to start that project ASAP.”
“Oh...kay.” Jalal narrowed his eyes and studied his face. “What’s the hurry?”
“Umm… I don’t know… I just felt…” He stopped. Motivated by her?
“You felt?” Jalal asked.
“That we should plan it, get the basic layouts of the hotels and heritage plaza at least.” He shrugged.
“All right.” Jalal stopped to think. 
“Come by at ten with Ajabdeh. I will also call my architectural and interior team heads over to give their inputs since you don’t want Udai Uncle’s team.”
“Yes, let us keep it a surprise for them” Jalal nodded.

Woof! 
Jalal stared at the closed window of the back door of the car as the pup jumped making him stare surprised.
“Is that a dog?” Jalal asked amused. “You got a dog.”
“It’s a pup and It’s not for me. I will see you tomorrow.” Ignoring Jalal’s judgmental looks at him he drove off to the Cottages.

Heer frowned as the car stopped. She stared at the one sleeping like a log and back at the car.
“Jija!” She gave a gentle push.
“Ummm let me sleep…. Five more minutes.” was the mumble.
“Ohho Jija Kunwarsa is here.” She pushed again.
“What?” she frowned eyes closed.
“Pratap.” Made her rub her eyes and sit up. "Where?"
“Heer pulled her up. “Outside, go now!”

Woof!  The pup jumped making Ajabdeh jump harder in surprise as she opened the cottage door.
“Oh my god.!” Ajabdeh sat on her knees as the pup pulled at her Mini mouse-drawn pyjamas. “Puppy!!!!!!” She caressed his neck making him roll over as she laughed. Pratap stood at the door staring at the scene before interrupting with “Can we talk?”
“Where did you find him?” She picked up the pup like a baby as it licked her hands.
“Chavand.” His answer made her frown.
“Is everything okay?” Her voice was concerned.
“Why do you ask?” He narrowed his eyes.
“Chavand….” She raised her eyebrows.
“I went to tell him… about the project… meeting… tomorrow.” He stared at the pup and not at her.
“Oh haa! When are we going?” She asked excitedly.
“We will leave at eight AM. And reach around ten” He smiled at her excitement.
“Okay. Am so happy you are doing it.” She smiled.
“Me too.” He smiled back.
“Okay, good night.” She extended the pup back to Pratap who put his hands in his pocket. 

“He’s yours.” He studied her face going from a night lamp spark to thousand light bulb glitters.
“What?” Ajabdeh asked with a silly smile.
“Yes, yours, gift hai.” He smiled shrugging.
“But… why?” She stared at the pup which was busy chewing at the top, but she didn't mind.
“Because… “ he paused “He needs a home. You can give him... A home... and Love.” She smiled at him as it reached her eyes and Pratap smiled back staring into them. His smile didn’t reach his eyes, Ajabdeh noticed.
"Something I... can't" His voice trailed off as he patted the pup making it growl at him. He was already in love with Ajabdeh it seemed. Or her top!
“Are you sure you are okay?” She frowned.
Ha, babah.” He smiled. “Why is everyone asking me that!"
"Who else?" Ajabdeh raised her eyebrows.
"Jalal" Pratap shook his head, "Waise why did Ranima call you?”
“She was telling about….umm… the family and she wanted a daughter and…” she stopped.

“I hope it wasn't emotional and awkward,” Pratap smirked. “She has that habit.”
“No not that…” she saw him turn to leave.
“Pratap…” he stopped to turn back.
“Hmm?”
“We are not going to hurt everyone are we?” Her worried face made him walk back to the porch.
“Ajab.” He held her shoulders, puppy in between. “That momentary pain will be better than our lifelong compromises right?”
Her mouth went dry as she said “Right.” She shook her head to make the heavy feeling go but it didn't. Is that how guilt felt like?
“Goodnight.” He smiled “and stop worrying. You sound better as carefree!”
“Goodnight” she giggled back.
“Woof!”
“Ha good night to you too.” made her laugh. He smiled back waving, She saw the car drive away.
“Come, baby! now, let’s meet Heer Mausi and think of a name for you!” She led the pup inside. 
“She will be stunned to see you!” Ajabdeh giggled. "Or scared" she grinned.
And I need to think of a return gift as well for Princy!

Popular posts from this blog

Purnota: Chapter Eleven

Bondita opened her window to find Thamma and Jyatha Moshai missing from the lawn. The chairs were empty. Was she sleeping till late? She checked the clock and shook her head. Taking the towel, she hurried towards the bathroom, countering Kalindi on the way. She was reading the newspaper with her rimless reading glasses on. “Umm… why are you here? Where is Jyatha Moshai?” Kalindi raised her eyes briefly and sighed without putting the paper away. Her lack of response puzzled Bondita as she made her way to take a bath. When she came out in a pair of jeans and a shirt, rolling her sleeves up, Kalindi observed her keenly. “Will you be going somewhere?” She enquired. Bondita nodded.  “Ah, yes, the District Office, some of my paperwork for the Bar Membership needs to be signed by a Gazetted Officer. Jyatha Moshai knows someone…” “Don’t go by their house… he is in a bad mood.” Kalindi placed some Chirer Polao in front of her and spoke as Bondita rubbed her wet hair with a frown. “Why?” “Oh...

Purnota: Chapter Thirteen

Aniruddha eyed Trilochon, sitting at the desk in his room, attending to some paperwork. His reading glasses were on his nose, and he appeared engrossed in a financial document. He stood at the threshold, a bit unsure and glanced over his shoulder at Somnath, Batuk and Bondita. She gestured at him to go on. Aniruddha cleared his throat. That prompted Trilochon to look away from his document at his nephew. “Jethu, if you are busy, I can come back…” He suggested unsurely. “Come in and close the door.” Trilochon glanced over Aniruddha’s shoulder at the others who walked away hurriedly. Aniruddha closed the door, and Bondita tiptoed to place her ears on it. Batuk and Somnath stood at a distance. “So you met her?” Trilochon spoke while cleaning his glasses. Aniruddha nodded. Somnath had introduced them to Ashalata. Bondita, Batuk, and he had met them in a Dhaba off the highway. Although Bondita did most of the talking, initiating a friendly gesture to put the nervous Ashalata at ease, he had...

Purnota: Chapter Twelve

Bondita woke up to the alarm clock ringing as she struggled to get her hand out of the quilt wrapped around her. She sat inside the mosquito net, rubbing her eyes and staring at the clock, trying to remember why she had set the alarm at 3.45 AM. Then her eyes shone in delight. It was Mahalaya. She remembered that during her days in Dehra, she had educated her roommate on the tradition of starting pujo with the voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra echoing through the air. She was uninterested, and Bondita had borrowed her headphones to hear the program and deeply missed home. She remembered that as a child, while her father was still alive, he would gently wake her up, and take her on his lap to the huge Banyan tree near the Panchayat where people gathered near the Pradhan’s radio, putting flower garlands and lamps around it and folding their hands as they heard Mahishashur Mardini killing the Asura. When she arrived in Kolkata to get her law degree, she thought things would be different. B...

You Deserve More

Ajabdeh woke up with the song of birds as she felt something warm on her hand. Her eyes went wide. Her hand was on the pillow in between them, between his hands, clasped as he slept. She thought of removing it slowly, but he was holding on to it so tightly. Ajabdeh's heart beat faster and faster. What do I do now? How do I not wake him? What if... why is my hand in his? She was utterly confused.   " Am I...In love?" Pratap was staring at the sleeping figure on the bed as he stared back at the rain. Then he frowned as he noticed that she shivered. He closed the windows of the room to make it cosy, then sat on his side of the bed. A lamp flickered on her side like always, and he stared at her sleeping figure as he put his blanket over her as well. She shifted a little in her sleep to make herself cosy again. Her payals and bangles made a rhythmic sound, breaking the silence of the room. Her hand was out of her blanket and on the pillow in between. He tried to slowly put it ...

Purnota: Chapter Ten

The rain clouds gave way to the scorching sun the following day as Bondita woke up as the first rays of the sun hit her face and disturbed her sleep. She cursed herself for keeping the window open and sat inside the mosquito net with a sleepy yawn. She eyed the alarm clock on her desk that said 6.30. Bondita scratched her head and pulled the mosquito net up to search for her slippers. She heard the bell ringing from Thamma’s room and the chanting of mantras. A smile came involuntarily to her lips as she realised that she might have come after ages, but everything in Chandannagar seemed to have been at a standstill. She grabbed the Kurti from the chair to change from the top she was wearing and wondered what she could do for the day. For the first time in a long time, she was free from the routine of boarding houses. Her eyes fell on the mess around her room since she had not unpacked the day before. Bondita decided to spend the morning unpacking her belongings. She opened the door of h...

Dreams and Wishes

At dawn, the Bhil women took the girls to the Kalika Mata Temple and the Jal Kund. Dressed in white, a nervous Heer followed everything Ajabde knew and did, trying to explain the significance of the rituals to her. They prayed to Lord Ganesh. Kunwar Shakti and Kunwar Pratap were staying at Punja Ji's place, as they were not supposed to see the brides before the wedding. Ajabde was dressed in her mother's lehenga, a mang tika Jaivanta Bai gave her as a family heirloom and the simple nosering Pratap had gifted. They made their hair into a simple bun with wildflowers before putting on their dupatta. Heer was dressed in traditional Bhil jewellery of silver and beads that the women had gifted her. They made her wear a red and white saree draped as a lehenga and a red chunri with it. She looked like a pretty, colourful Bhil bride. Kunwar Shakti was a nervous groom dressed in a traditional bhil dhoti, kurta and cap. The bhil shawl hung from a side, making the white attire colourf...

Purnota: Chapter Sixteen

It had been a month since Bondita had started working in the firm. With Somnath’s wedding date being set for winter, many things were keeping Trilochon and Kalindi busy as they took charge of the smooth running of things leading up to the wedding. They needed to shop for everyone, buy gifts and choose jewellery and sarees for the bride. Despite his attempts, Trilochon found Binoy reluctant to participate in his son’s wedding arrangements. Somnath took him and Kalindi to places they wanted to go, especially Kolkata for shopping, and Trilochon made arrangements to make sure that the first wedding of the generation was grand enough. Bondita tried to help as much as she could as she noticed Aniruddha being oddly aloof from the entire thing. She assumed it was due to Trilochon’s reactions to his lack of interest in marriage. Trilochon kept pestering her to enquire into his reasons while she kept stalling him with excuses. Bondita also failed to know more about Kalindi and Trilochon’s past, ...

Confrontation

Maine kahan tha saath rahunga Banunga main tera saaya Par tere saath kuch kadam bhi Main nahi chal paya Bondita got out of bed and left the room before Aniruddha woke up. She went about her chores and decided to ignore his presence until she found herself a logical explanation for her impulsive behaviour, good enough for him to forgive her mistake. She made breakfast and told the cook to note down who preferred what for when she would leave. She waited in the kitchen long enough for the breakfast to be served by the house help and eaten. His routine was fixed. He would go to the study room and leave for work in half an hour. Then, she wouldn’t have to put up with this hide-and-seek till late afternoon or evening. But things rarely go as planned in life. “Bondita? Bouma!” Trilochan’s call made her shake her head. She pulled the ghomta above her head and walked out to the dining area. Eyes met briefly as she looked away and spoke to Trilochan as if dismissing his presence altogether....

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. His spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...

Purnota: Chapter Fifteen

A week was all it took for Bondita to get used to work and the new routine. She would wake up early and hurry through her chores, helping Kalindi prepare a tiffin of either Chirer Polao or bread jam and then proceeding to the Roy Chowdhury house. She would arrange the day’s paperwork before Aniruddha arrived at the study room. Occasionally, she would hear him call out to Koeli for breakfast and pack her things, knowing he was almost ready to leave. He would walk into the chamber, check his list, and they would go to work. She would follow him from courtroom to courtroom. She would be sitting in the audience and learning. She would follow him to conferences and client meetings and take notes. They would discuss complicated cases. She would share the tiffin she brought from home. He would at first take a reluctant bite, then eat more than her. She often gave him her share of food discreetly. They usually stayed back after everyone was gone and ordered food for dinner. Some days, he woul...