Corrections

The Punwar home was decked up for the much-awaited royal engagement of Kunwar Shakti with Heer Kanwar Punwar. With the media waiting for bites outside, inside the well-decorated house, the closest of the families of the Punwars and Sisodias had gathered for the occasion in the evening. A traditional tilak rasm was to be followed by an engagement with the exchange of rings. Hansa Bai was running around, instructing the servants and making sure everything was proper. Shakti waited in the hall, surrounded by a teasing Jalal, an amused Rukaiya, a blushing Maan beside an awkward Shallavan, Dheer Bua’s hawk eyes over the details, his Ranima helping Hansa Bai while his father chatted in a corner with Bairam Khan.

“Humko lagta hai kuch aur mehmaan bula lena chahiye tha.” Dheer had murmured several times since the arrival, “After all Surajgarh ki…” She had stopped at Jaivanta’s stare. She had received the news of Kunwar Pratap and Ajabdeh calling off their much-hyped wedding from Maan. She had rolled her eyes, gasping at what they had decided instead. She called up Jaivanta and reminded her of the traditions of the royals. But it was all in vain, for as far as Maan knew, their plans were still unaffected.

The wedding date was fixed after a month, much to everyone’s happiness. Rukaiya had decided to be in charge of this wedding and give the couple their chance at a fairytale. Heer was in her room, decked up in the finest designer pink lehenga for her big day. She anticipated that her father would come any minute, and she would make Jija talk to him, no matter what. She also wanted Jija to do Kunwar Shakti’s Tilak rasm.  Ajabdeh peeped in to see Heer smile nervously at her. She walked up to Heer with a bowl of chillis, for her Nazar Utran. Heer frowned, surprised.

“This is the first and last time I am doing this for you.” Ajabdeh had read her stare as she nodded, pleased. She put the drape of the dupatta over Heer’s head and smiled at their reflection in the mirror. They were twining in the floral lehengas.

“Jijaa umm… sab aa gaye?” Ajabdeh frowned at her words.

“Shakti is here, and the pandit is too. I will come and get you once the tilak is over. She had left Heer with a sign.

Ajabdeh obliged with the aarti thaal, much to everyone’s happiness. She welcomed the guests, ignored Pratap’s stares, and did the tilak rasm just as the pandit ji told her to. Shakti smiled at her beaming eyes as she fixed the brooch they had gifted on his turban.

It was time for the engagement, and she went to fetch Heer. She held her stone-cold hand and made her walk down the stairs, her heart making nervous leaps. They were almost at the last step when the media outside was creating a hustle as a car came into the porch. Heer smiled as she saw her father make his way out of the car.

Ramrakh Punwar had received an invitation to what was once his own house from Kunwar Pratap. The card mentioned the Sagai of his younger one with Shakti and had no mention of their older siblings. He had frowned at it. He had been in the darkness about them for too long now. Neither the mother nor the daughters had reached him. He didn’t expect them to either. He had tried in vain to reach Heer. But when Kunwar Pratap reached him with Heer’s wish, he was hopeful. That his favourite one would understand. Heer was the easiest to convince. The key to Ajabdeh, and back to the property that was once his.

Heer had suddenly let go of Ajabdeh’s hand at the end of the staircase and walked up to the threshold where her father stood, her eyes twinkling and her smile genuine. Ajabdeh clenched her jaws. Her gaze met Pratap’s as he nodded his head at her, making her inhale. It was a test of her patience now.

“I am glad you reached me, Kunwar Pratap. Heer, I knew you would understand me even if no one else did.” Heer frowned at his words like he was a stranger. “Congratulations.”

“Thank You.” Shakti read the uncertainty in Heer’s voice. Ramrakh hugged his daughter. And stared across the room at the older one, who ignored his glances.

“Jija?” Heer extended her hands, making everyone stare at Ajabdeh. “Come meet Baba.”

Pratap eyed Shakti once while a reluctant Ajabdeh walked to the threshold.

“You are getting published, I heard, congratulations.” Ajabdeh was quiet. Hansa stood scared for a moment as Jaivanta held her hands reassuringly.

“I know that I…” Ramrakh frowned at Ajabdeh’s smile.

“Heer. Let’s do the engagement now. Since all YOUR guests are here.” She snapped, making Heer gulp.

“Welcome, Mr Punwar.” She turned to walk away.

“Ajabdeh.” Ramrakh’s voice was firm, making Heer stare. “Beta…” he realised he had spoken with authority. The authority he no longer had.

“I am not your…” She stopped without turning.

“Wow.” Ramrakh’s voice had a hint of amusement “You, of all people, are judging me.”

Ajabdeh frowned, turning to face him as Heer’s eyes narrowed.

“You… whose longest relationships are counted in days, I was at least a responsible father to both of you…”

“Baba.” Heer’s voice was almost like a whisper as Ajabdeh’s face was unreadable.

“Ajabdeh, when was the last time you were truly responsible? Your sister and mother protect you always, but what about you? When are you truly into something? When do you behave appropriately?” Pratap’s eyes widened. Did the man not know his own daughter? Probably not.

“And if I am not mistaken, you must have called off your own engagement. Because you are commitment-phobic. You run away from everything. That’s your nature. You can’t blame me for your own nature. Or maybe you are just like me. You can never stick to one place, one thing or one person…”

“Bas kijiye bohot ho gaya.” Heer’s voice made everyone gasp. The girl had probably raised her voice for the first time, that too against her own father.

“We are not saying anything, but that doesn't mean you keep saying humiliating things?” Heer spoke irked “I was wrong. I thought you repent, Baba. Which you clearly don’t.”

“Look…” Ramrakh was equally shocked at the way she spoke. Ajabdeh stood eyeing Heer. She knew Heer needed this.  But she was scared of Heer’s reaction. She frankly had no idea how her sister would react.

“My Jija is and never was like you. She can never be like you. You can bet on that!” Heer spoke rather irked.

“Heer.” Hansa’s voice was of reason. To stop her. The man meant nothing to her anymore. But he had caused heartache even today.

“And for your kind information, Mr Punwar, she did not call off any wedding; she is more committed to Dadabhai than you can ever imagine in your life. And they are moving in together. Now, Get out.” Her words were clear.

“But Heer, you cannot deny I am your father. I have the right over you and her, and your lives and to your kanyadaan and…”

“What right are you talking of, Mr Punwar?” Heer smiled, eyeing Ajabdeh, who looked away, disgusted at the man in front of her. “Actually, I don’t blame you. Women don’t stand with women. They readily accept someone else’s man. It allows men like you to treat them as disposable relationships. They often choose a man who could never be committed even to his own self-esteem, let alone to one woman!”

“Heer!” Ramrakh gasped, “Have you called me here to insult me?”

“I didn’t intend to, but yes, you brought it on yourself. And as far as rights go, our mother has the sole right to our kanyadaan. You may leave now.” Shakti walked up to Heer and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. Heer was trying hard to control her tears.

Ajabdeh had anticipated something like this could happen. But she was also hopeful that Heer would finally see reality. She just did not want her sister’s important day to be shrouded in such memories. She stepped back, watching Shakti walk up to Heer and in an impulse, she ran back to her room.

“Ajab…” She had heard her mother and Pratap speak together as she shut the door behind her.

Pratap peeped in, turning the doorknob. He frowned. The room was empty. He noticed Brownie sniffing at her heels, at the balcony, and her running shoes were missing. He ran to the balcony to see her ladder lowered.

Ajabdeh sat unsure, beneath the statue at Moti Magri. She frowned as if she felt breathless. The veil 

of stars and the cool breeze made perfect weather around her, but her mind was in the doldrums. As much as she tried to avoid it, her father’s words came back to haunt her. Will I eventually hurt Pratap? She tried to brush off the uneasy feeling as she sat alone, staring at the statue of his namesake.

“Why is it so that people and their opinions make us question our own ideas?”

“Because we are human beings.” The voice behind her made her turn, “Because we live in a society where our validation lies in the mind and words of others.”

“Pra…”

“You and I will make it Ajab.” He held her hand, making her stop. “You are not one of my many. You are my One. I know it, so do you.” He kissed her hand, making her smile.

“The rest of the world can go screw themselves!” Her eyes had the twinkle back. It made him smile.

“They are… not in the room,” Rukaiya spoke a little unsure.

“What?” Jalal frowned “How is that even possible…” He stopped staring at Heer, and Shakti exchanged glances.

“This is… ridiculous,” Dheer exclaimed. “What is happening here!”

“ Well, Dheer, we are making some really unique memories.” Khan Baba’s words made Jalal smile.

“I will go find them.” He had turned to leave.

“Bhaijaan.” Heer and Shakti spoke in unison. “We want to…” Jalal nodded.

Pratap and Ajabdeh were staring at the streets below in relative silence. Their hands were entwined, and more than once their eyes had met and smiled.

“ When are we…” Pratap asked, staring at the watch. “Everyone will be worried.”

“Just… a few more minutes.” Ajabdeh tightened her hand on his.

“You know Heer and Shakti won’t do it without us.” She nodded in agreement.

“Aree wah!” Heer’s voice made them turn and let go of each other’s hands. “Aap yaha baithi hai, waha sab pareshaan hai.” She frowned some more as Shakti walked past her, a little breathless, and sat down between his brother and Ajabdeh. He stared at her and then at them.

“Are we going or not?” Heer frowned with authority.

“This place is so awesome.” Shakti stared at Ajabdeh “It's so nice.”

“I know, right?” Ajabdeh frowned “But how did you get in?”

“I bribed the gatekeeper. You think she will jump across a gate?” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

“I was thinking the same.” Ajabdeh smiled at Heer. “Come sit.” She patted beside her.

“Jija, people are waiting at home!” she reasoned “Let’s go.”

“Let them wait a little longer.” Shakti dismissed her with a hand gesture, “I can’t walk anymore. It’s a long way back down the hill.”

“You want to hear a thought, Shakti?” Ajabdeh smiled.

“No!” Pratap and Heer spoke together and then stared at each other.

“Fine. Let’s go back!” Ajabdeh shrugged with a sulking tone and walked off. Pratap grabbed Shakti by his hand, and Heer followed Ajabdeh.

“Jija.” She said almost in a whisper, “ Are you all right?” Ajabdeh smiled, holding her hand with a nod.

“I am so sorry, Jija.” Heer spoke sincerely, “It’s because of me that…”

“Let’s go home, Heeriye. And forget this, you don’t get engaged every day.” Ajabdeh smiled, making the brothers stare at each other with lingering smiles.