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…”

OH 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 realised 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 were 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 understood each other better for my sake.” Jaivanta sighed, making Ajabdeh look at her with worry. “Leave it, I'm 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 had 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 pockets 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 in surprise.

“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.

“Oh 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 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 pockets. 

“He’s yours.” He studied her face, going from a night lamp spark to a thousand light bulbs glittering.

“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 on 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 feels?

“Goodnight.” He smiled, “and stop worrying. You sound better as carefree!”

“Goodnight”, she giggled back.

“Woof!”

“Ha, good night to you too,” he said, making 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!