RAABTA

T he living area of the South Delhi apartment was scattered with photographs, envelopes, and a tab opened with a note-taking app. The couch, the centre table, the carpet, everywhere, there were pictures. Of happy couples. And perfect weddings. She sighed, dismissing yet another one. Sitting on the carpet, beside the table, leaning against the couch in a casual Kaftan kurta and jeans, she looked confused and tired. Shaking her head for the umpteenth time, she gathered her hair up and made it into a bun. Her eyes looked stressed, like she hadn’t slept soundly, and her face wore a frown that refused to go from her doe eyes. He came out of the kitchen with the tray, in his baggy denim and a casual T-shirt. He placed down the tray, with two cups of brewed coffee, hers black and sugarless, his milk and two cubes, along with the diet biscuits she had been having lately. She was sitting with her head resting on the couch lightly, eyes closed. He frowned at her disturbed face. “Ajab?” ...

It was early dawn, on Saturday morning at Surajgarh. Kunwar Shakti had just stepped out of his room and was shocked at the number of people running about the main hall. Ranisa Jaivanta was running around the halls too, overlooking the preparations for the arrival of the guest. He smiled with a little shake of his head. “Ranima, what’s happening?” “Shakti, beta, do me a favour and check if the room upstairs is fine for Ajabdeh?” Jaivanta looked stressed. “I don’t want her to lack anything. The way she left the last time…” “Ranima. Ranima.” Shakti held her shoulders with a laugh. “Breath.” They smiled at each other. “I am so happy”, Jaivanta patted his head “I hope, for now, these two become friends…” She whispered, smiling, “Jalal has promised me…” “I know Ranima, we all want them to be together.” Shakti smiled, “But let’s not make it obvious. When will she arrive?” “I don’t know.” Jaivanta shrugged. “Pratap said Early morning, why don’t you ask him?” “Dadabhai?” Shakt...

“Ma’am.” Heer’s assistant walked up to her rather reluctantly as she looked nervous, straightening her formal skirt and scarf. “The press meet will start in five minutes. Sir is calling you.”  She received a nod from Shakti, who was sitting opposite her chair. “She will be there in two minutes.”  He handed her a glass of water, “Here, calm down. You are confident. You can do it.” “Please come along, Shakti.” Heer sulked. “Look, Heer.” He smiled faintly, staring into her eyes, “ It’s a Punwar Mughal alliance. I will be at the side wings with Ajabdeh. We have faith you can do this. This is your first of many, okay?” “Okay, Okay. Jija is here, na?” She made Shakti gulp. “Yes, she is.” He lied. “Go on now. All the best.” He hugged her. As Heer left to meet Jalal, he dialled Ajabdeh. “Hello??” She seemed like in trouble. “Where are you, Ajabdeh?" Shakti sounded worried, " Heer …” “Shakti… beta… I think I am lost.” She sounded tense. “Lost? What the…” Shak...

“Jalaluddin Mohammad’s cocktail party is themed “Evening in Paris' is being held this evening at the Oberoi UdaiVilas Palace, Udaipur. We are bringing you live coverage of the event from the lawns of the hotel premises itself.” The page three reporters looked ecstatic at the entrance behind her. Udai Singh frowned at the dramatic nature of the report. The ladies, Jaivanta and Hansa, though, seemed very eager to catch a glimpse of Jalal’s plan. Udai Singh just shrugged and made himself a drink while the ladies sat comfortably in the living room of their Udaipur farmhouse, the latest buy that Shakti had insisted on. He walked out of the over-dramatic TV show, to the library to read and sip in peace. “We have been told that the French event organiser, Lucas, had been roped in by Jalaluddin on this very special party. TV Entertainment Page has also heard from very reliable sources that Jalaluddin Mohammad will announce his engagement to his girlfriend and colleague, Rukaiya, tonight, ...