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Setting Goals

“And in the entertainment news, today we have a special segment, Jalaluddin Akbar and Rukaiya Begum said Qubool Hai!” Ajabdeh frowned at the news, which flashed pictures of the wedding as well as their honeymoon and turned off the television. She was happy that things went better than she planned but the talks of weddings were definitely not her cup of tea. To her horror, that was the only thing Heer and Hansa talked of nowadays. She knew Heer had a thing for weddings unlike her. She feigned happiness for the sake of it. Her living room was a mess, with papers scattered everywhere. She was finally on the couch with the final draft on her lap and her laptop on the centre table. She had to send the draft by the next day to the publishers. Brownie seemed too happy to be back home with his Humans and he was busy tearing up the pieces of paper Ajabdeh had scattered around the floor.

The wedding was a grand affair and Ajabdeh was happy for her own reasons. For in the morning of the wedding, KB had gifted her the most precious thing she ever got, his diary of Shayeris unpublished and raw. To Heer’s utter difficulty, Ajabdeh was lost in the notebook after the wedding and was mostly in her own world. Even Kunwar Pratap had to call her twice because Ajabdeh had forgotten to charge her phone. The date of the Engagement had been set a fortnight away by the priests of the Sisodias. With so much to be done in so little time, Heer frowned at her sister being lost in her own world. She seemed to have no interest in her own wedding plans. Heer was hopeful that once the drafts had been submitted Ajabdeh would probably get back the craziness she missed. Heer was looking after the business, while Hansa prepared for the double engagement with Jaivanta. With so much to do and Jalal and Rukaiya away for a mini honeymoon to the US, Shakti knew Heer needed help, even if she didn’t ask for it.

Heer was delighted to find him sitting in her office in the evening, with the papers of their day’s work neatly arranged, freshly brewed coffee and a smile to light up her day. She sank back in her chair, sighing.
“Don’t overwork yourself.” Shakti frowned at her tired pale face “You will fall sick.” His worried voice made her smile.
“I was thinking…” she stopped staring at her coffee “About Baba.”
“What about him?” Shakti frowned.
“Well… I… He’s…” Heer could not find the right words.
“I am not Ajabdeh, Heer.” Shakti made her stop holding both her hands in his across the table “You can admit to me what you feel; I know you were close to him, it is okay that you miss him.”
A lone tear trickled down her cheek as she closed her eyes at his words. That prompted Shakti to walk over to her side and hug her. “Tell me.” He persuaded.
“You see Shakti since we were kids I always thought, I was the one who was the protector. I used to save her from things and get scolded too… I had no idea that Maasa and Jija were actually hiding so much so that I could have a normal family life.”
 She stared at him as he nodded in silence. “He had been a good father to me. I can’t deny that. I can’t deny the fact that he actually did love us, me and Jija. Jija never saw that. Perhaps because she knew what she did, but he is a good father… He gave us freedom and pampered…”
“You want him at the engagement?” Shakti made her stop.
“I want him at our engagement, for the both of us, I want him to bless both me and Jija…”
“I understand that.” Shakti patted her head.
“You do? But…Will she?” Heer frowned “I fear I will hurt Maasa or Jija by asking for this, or worse, lose Jija’s trust over it.” Shakti smiled faintly. “I just want Jija to bond with Baba for once. Before we…”
“You have no idea what Ajabdeh can do for you.” He spoke up “I am sure she will understand this as well.”
“What if she…?”
“Let me give you a better idea. Let me invite him. That way neither Ajabdeh nor Hansa Aunty has to talk to or invite and you can still have him at the engagement. What do you say?”
“What if…” Heer sounded scared.
“Hum samhal lenge na, You never ask for anything Heer, and what you have asked for now, is not wrong.” He reassured. “Your Baba will be there at the Sagai. I promise.”

Ajabdeh had frowned at the doorbell. Once. Twice, Thrice. The person on the other side surely had some urgency. To top it all, Brownie had started to bark. She reluctantly left her spot on the sofa and walked to the door, where Brownie was already sniffing.
“Tum?” Her disappointed frown was well contrasted by Brownie’s happiness as he jumped on Pratap wagging his tail. Pratap calmed the excited animal down with a few pats before nodding “Main. Can I come in?” Ajabdeh moved from the door, still frowning while Pratap entered the room and stared at the mess.
“I was…” She waved her hand and was cut short by his “I know.”
“Maasa is not here.” She announced, “In case you need coffee or tea, feel free to make it yourself.”
“I know she is not here, Ranima met her for some plans and shopping, I dropped them off at the mall and came by.” He sat down after removing a few papers from the couch.
“Why?” She sat down moving aside her laptop, on the centre table, facing him. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?? You seem to have gone incognito Ajab. You don’t pick up calls, you are most of the times, unreachable… and…” his tone was complaining.
“I was reading.” She said matter of factly, “and catering to a deadline.”
“I know that. I tried to keep off your space as much as possible ever since we came back” He shrugged.
“I appreciate that!” Ajabdeh genuinely meant it.
“But a lot has happened and we need to talk.” Pratap seemed disturbed.
“About what?” She frowned.
“Whom.” He corrected.
“Whom?” She repeated clueless.

“I should tell Dadabhai about this,” Shakti spoke. “He can make her understand that it’s your wish and…”
“But Kunwar Pratap? Are you sure he can…”
“If anyone can, Heer, we both know it’s him. Let me call.” Shakti reassured.

Ajabdeh was laughing till her stomach ached and eyes teared up, much to Pratap’s annoyance. He had just informed her that Dheer Bua had asked for Shallavan’s details the day they had arrived back in Surajgarh before she headed home. Much to Pratap’s dismay, she found Shallavan to be a perfect match for Maan who to his horror was blushing at the idea. Pratap’s throat felt dry. Not only because he could not come to terms with the fact that the man he was keeping away from Ajab, would practically be family now but also because his little sister was all grown up and ready to love someone. He freaked out at the idea and wanted to talk to Ajab who was lost in her own world. He stared at her laugh again, grunting disapprovingly.
“Oh God Princy!” She said at last “This is good news.”
“Are you kidding me, Ajab? Shallavan? Of all the people in the world? He is snobbish and flirty and…”
“Responsible and sincere…” She added making him stop. “You know what your problem is Princy? He is just like you.”
“What? Never! I…” Pratap protested as Ajabdeh smiled at him.
“She will be happy. Trust me.” Ajabdeh placed her hand gently over his. “I like this possessive brother in you though.” She smiled as he sighed. Somehow, Ajabdeh always spoke what he wanted to hear, and she didn’t fail to this time around too. His phone rang as he walked away to receive it while Ajabdeh entered the Kitchen with Brownie in toe.

Shakti and Heer had been greeted at the door by Brownie, but there was no sign of their siblings. Frowning a little Heer sniffed the air. It smelled of something burning. She stared a little alarmed at Shakti as they ran to the kitchen. The kitchen was smoky, and Pratap stood terrified, scrutinizing a black lump of food that had just come out of the oven. Ajabdeh was in an apron, her face and hands, covered with flour, while she explained “But the video told to…”
“Jija!” Heer’s alarming call made her stare at the door.
“Look Heer, I made a cake!” She smiled gleefully.
“She means a corpse. She made a corpse.” Pratap pointed at the black lump even Brownie refused to sniff at.
“It’s just a little burnt Princy! You should have made it instead.” She defended.
“Just a little?” Shakti smirked at it and then at Pratap.
“I made tea, that too with masala.” He reminded her “You could drink that, in my defence.”
“Jija. You have never even made a cup of tea, why did you try to make a cake?” Heer stood in horror. She was thinking of the excuses she had to make to her mother now on behalf of her sister.
“We are celebrating Maan’s….” her words were cut short by his “We still don’t know if Shallavan will approve.” He wished the man didn’t.

Shakti exchanged an amused glance with Ajabdeh while Heer pushed the three of them out of the Kitchen in the living room, and started making some snacks to serve them with tea.
“Ajabdeh, we need to talk.” Shakti eyed Pratap as the two brothers sat side by side in front of her. “Now what did I do?” She frowned.
“It’s about Heer.” Pratap was calm as he spoke and in a way, Shakti was happy that he was not doing the talking.
“What about…”
“I want to invite Ram Uncle to the Sagai.” Pratap studied her face. It was emotionless, only the smile on her face and eyes faded. “Heer wants her father to bless her and it’s for…”
“If Heer is happy with that, it’s her choice. Her father can come and bless her. I have nothing to say. And it’s also your engagement and you can call whoever you want to.” Ajabdeh stood up to find Heer with a tray at the threshold. She stared at her sibling and then at Shakti and added plainly “As for me, that man is a stranger, don’t force me to talk or meet him even if he is in the same room.” To Heer’s worry, Ajabdeh left for their room and shut the door behind her. For a moment the three of them sat silently lost in their thoughts.

“I will…” Pratap was the first to speak “Leave. I have to pick up Ranima and…”
“I will go with you.” Shakti nodded. “And call up…” He stared at Heer who was still silent.
“Don’t worry Heer.” Pratap’s words made Shakti smile as she stared at him “She just needs some time.” He reassured as Heer nodded with a faint smile. “Thank you.”

Ajabdeh had spent a sleepless night and so had Heer. After pretending to be asleep for a whole hour Heer had finally spoken to her.
“Jija?” Her voice was about to choke and Ajabdeh grew alarmed as she hugged her sister. “Don’t you dare cry!” She snapped.
“I am sorry Jija I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just wanted you and Ba…”
“Heer.” She drew away from the hug and wiped Heer’s tears. “What you want from me can never be, I can never forget the kind of man he was to Maasa.”
“But Jija, when we talk of second chances, can’t it also be that Baba does repent what he had done and he does want to apologize?” Heer reasoned “He had tried to reach out to me too many times Jija and I just want to know if I am right.”
“So be it.” Ajabdeh smiled at her sister “I just don’t want you to cry.”
“Me neither.” Heer smiled faintly as she hid her face in Ajabdeh’s bosom and she hugged her sister like a mother hugs a child.

The news of the engagement of the Princes of Surajgarh was soon in the air. As a result of the sensational news; a crowd of reporters honking and shouting outside the gates of the Punwar House, woke a much sleep-deprived Ajabdeh. She sat staring at the mayhem outside with a frown. Heer walked in with breakfast and smiled a “Good morning” before adding “I took a day off Jija, it's you and me…”
“And them!” Ajabdeh pointed outside with a poker face.
“What do you want to do?” Heer smiled.

“We are not kids anymore Dadabhai.” Shakti sulked. “Come up with better ideas than playing Monopoly please!” Pratap stared at his brother sitting on the couch “It’s a day off; I want to do something with you.”

Heer was surprised. In fact, surprised would be underrated, she was shocked. Ajabdeh had chosen to spend the day having cooking lessons from her. Hansa had stared at her daughters laughing while making a batter in the kitchen in the early hours of the morning much to her surprise. Heer observed how Kunwar Pratap’s existence changed Ajabdeh beyond her own understanding. Heer was in a way pleased that her Jija for once had started behaving like a more responsible adult ever since she met him
“Then?” Heer was startled out of her thoughts at Ajabdeh’s confused question.
“Then we bake this.” Heer poured the batter onto the bowl “Tell me Jija, does Kunwarsa like cakes?”
“I don’t know.” Ajabdeh shrugged “I love them!”
“If this one tastes well, we can take some to…” Heer spoke up setting the oven.
“To Shakti.” Ajabdeh smiled “He will love it.”
“And Dadabhai Pratap.” Heer added.
“Oh, I know!” Ajabdeh clapped her hands making Heer stare “We can act all Masterchef and also ask them to guess who made which one. Huh? Huh.” For once Ajabdeh’s silly idea didn’t seem so silly to Heer. She smiled.

“Are you scared, Shakti?” Pratap smirked holding the basketball. “I haven't lost yet.”
“I love to face challenges Dadabhai. Bring it on.” Udai and Jaivanta smiled at each other watching the brothers at a game of basketball.
“Wow! Mine looks better than Heer’s, Right Maasa?” Hansa was staring at the two cakes laid before her. Heer had dressed hers with icing on top while Ajabdeh used Gems to decorate with a smiley. Both looked eatable as Hansa stared with an appreciating smile at Ajabdeh.
“I can’t believe you…” Hansa started as Heer smiled proudly at Ajabdeh. Sometimes, in moments like these, Hansa often forgot which of the two was older.
“I win! I Win! I WIN!!!!!” Shakti jumped in the air as Pratap smiled panting a little.
“Haan haan main toh jaan bujh ke haar gaya!” He shrugged. Jaivanta came with two towels for her kids while they sat down on the ground.
“Go and get ready both of you!”
“Now who is coming home?” Shakti frowned hoping that the reporters had left.
“Heer and Ajabdeh.” Jaivanta smiled as the brothers exchanged a surprised look “I invited them to lunch to celebrate the engagement announcement.” She added.

“So basically, what if we…. Say wrong?” Shakti scrutinized the faces of an over-excited Ajabdeh and a rather amused Heer. He was scared.
“At your own risk,” Ajabdeh whispered with a devilish smile.
“What is happening here?” Pratap frowned as he entered the study to find Shakti sitting at a table with two boxes in front of him.
“Take a seat Dadabhai.” Heer indicated at the chair beside Shakti’s who looked perplexed. “We are just going to show you something.”
“What if… we are wrong?” His words made Heer chuckle a little as Ajabdeh smiled the devilish smile again much to his fear.
“I am sure you won’t Dadabhai” Heer assured totally ignoring Shakti’s frown at her. Heer revealed the two cakes, while Ajabdeh stood in excitement. Pratap and Shakti peeped into the boxes. One was a perfect icing, with flowers on top, and another was a chocolate cake with a smiley of Gems on top. They exchanged glances and stared at Heer who shook her head with “I told you so!”
Pratap and Shakti started laughing much to the annoyance of Ajabdeh “Aree! Hasne wali kaunsi baat ho gayi! Aree bolo na! Who made which one?”
“Really Ajabdeh?” Shakti managed between his chuckles. “Anyone who has ever seen you can say this. A smiley, really? What are you? Ten?”
Ajabdeh narrowed her eyes and promptly cut out a piece of her cake, stuck out her tongue at the duo and said “Chalo Heeriye!”
“Aree, wait.” Pratap stopped laughing as she narrowed her eyes “Let’s see if this one is after all a cake!”
Haan!” Shakti agreed “Dadabhai you taste, I can’t risk it!”

In the next ten seconds, Shakti’s shirt was smeared with the piece of cake in Ajabdeh’s hand as Pratap stood wide-eyed and Heer helped him get it off.
“You don’t mess with Ajabdeh Punwar, Kunwar Shakti!” She smiled a smile Pratap dreaded as Heer smiled at a helpless Shakti.

It was around dusk when Pratap was giving Heer a tour of the about-to-be-inaugurated Heritage wing of the Hotel. Ajabdeh on the other hand had managed to find a place on the roof of one of the still-in-construction cottages while Shakti sat near her, hearing her talk of Heer’s childhood. Pratap stopped reaching the door of the Sheesh Mahal and turned away briskly “And we are done here.” He said to Heer politely “What do you think?”
“I love it.” Heer approved. “This Punwar Sisodia Mughal alliance will be worth it!”
“Okay, let’s head back then.”
“Dadabhai…” Heer smiled faintly “I know about that.”
“About what?” Pratap frowned at her. She pointed at the door as he turned a little awkwardly.
“That’s a sweet gesture.” She approved making him smile a little.
“I have never…” He stopped unsure. Was it after all a good idea to share his feelings with this one? Heer stood listening. He added, “Done this before…”
“Well Dadabhai, not everyone was your soon-to-be wife.” Heer’s words rang like an alarm in his head. It was not until that moment that Pratap realized the kind of commitment he was getting into. Yes, he loved Ajabdeh. He never accepted that aloud but he did, and he didn’t want to lose her. But the mere word and tag of marriage were disturbing. Something suddenly bothered him.
“You don’t get married every day Ajabdeh!” Shakti smiled “Why not make the most of it?”
“I find it irrelevant to show off jewelery, clothes and grandeur for the sake of it Shakti. Had it not been Surajgarh I would have preferred a registry if at all.” Ajabdeh shrugged. “The money can be put to better use.”
“If at all?” Shakti caught her words. “You mean you had no plan of…”
“Not at all. Heeriye on the other hand always had that dream.” Ajabdeh spoke rather seriously making him frown “I don’t feel marriage is necessary or for that matter enough for a relationship to thrive. It’s just a way of pleasing society with our own lives.” Marriages fall apart yet people stick by. She had seen it all and in some corner of her heart, as much as she loved and trusted Pratap she saw the past come to haunt her at times.
“Dadabhai said the same. Had it not been for our plan you two wouldn’t have agreed!” Shakti chuckled as Ajabdeh snapped “What plan?” Shakti realized that words once spoken couldn’t be taken back. He gulped at her cold stare.

“We need to talk!” Pratap and Ajabdeh frowned at their words that came out simultaneously. Pratap stood in his pyjamas on the roof of the Mahal, after a quiet dinner when Jaivanta insisted the girls return home the next morning. Now Ajabdeh was in one of Jaivanta’s flowing Kurtas.
“A plan?” Pratap had allowed Ajabdeh to speak first. He couldn’t believe that their families had tricked them.
“There is no such rule that the one marrying first will…” Ajabdeh shrugged matter of factly.
“What now?” Pratap frowned as he sat down.
“What was it that you wanted to talk about?” She asked.
“I… was… umm….” He stopped staring into her eager doe eyes.
“You were?” She asked with a slight frown.
“I don’t know. It’s nothing.” He shook his head.
“Come on now Princy, don’t play this game with me. We both know you will say it anyway.”
“Well, I can, if you don’t get offended.” He asked a little alarmed.
“I won’t I promise!”
“It's just that… remember the first day we talked of Marriages?”
“Umm Hmm”
“It’s just that I realized that my view on weddings is still the same Ajabdeh, it’s not about you or commitment or the fact that…” He couldn’t find the right words.
“I understand.” She cut in making him stare.
“You do?” He asked a little surprised.
“Yes. I feel the same. We don’t need a socially approving marriage to validate our relationship; we can do it when we feel like it if at all, right?” Her words made him stare at her in admiration. She did reflect his soul.
“So?” He asked shrugging, holding her hand in his.
“So, we let those two get married. Give them their dream wedding.” She smiled.
“What about us?” Pratap for a moment was scared. Because Ajabdeh sounded like they were drifting apart.
“What about us?” She asked him instead. “We have the families, our dreams, Brownie, Sheesh Mahal and each other. Am sure once we tell the parents they will understand. Everyone has their own ideas of life. Ours is a bit different than theirs.” She assured him. He had nodded in approval.
“Let’s drink to that, I feel so much better now.” Ajabdeh smiled. Pratap led her by the hand to the bar and served her his favourite wine.

It was way past midnight when Pratap led Ajabdeh to the Seesh Mahal. She smiled at the mirrors reflecting their images on the wall and roof. He had led her to the adjoining apartments as well. The private area of the Heritage wing was ready. She had smiled at each Jharokha and peeped through them. She had twirled as he stood smiling.
“This feels the way I want to feel.” She had said in a slightly tipsy tone.
“And that will be…?”
“A home made of Love.” She smiled. He held her hands and pulled her into an embrace. Ajabdeh could feel his heartbeat as her head rested on his chest.
“Ajab.” Pratap had found his voice. Ajabdeh had stared at him, their noses touching. He removed the locks of hair from her face and rubbed her warm cheeks with his cold hand. She leaned slightly at his touch as his other arm entwined around her waist.
“Ajabdeh.” He whispered in her ears.
“Hmm?”
“Will you move in with me?” Pratap said it in an impulse. Her eyes were confused at his words as he repeated them more like an answer “Move in with me, here. Together, we will make a dream home.” Ajabdeh’s eyes widened. She knew he was serious.
“B…But… what about…”
“I will talk to everyone, just say yes. Until we feel it’s the time right for nuptials, stay with me. Let’s share lives. I promise I won’t disappoint you.” His grip around her waist had tightened like he didn’t want to let her go. Ajabdeh’s hands rested on his collar. She could feel his breath as deep as hers.
“Yes.” She whispered.
“Yes?” Pratap was not sure whether he had heard her right.
“Yes!” This time Ajabdeh’s answer was more confident as her eyes smiled at his. Pratap at the moment cupped her face with the hand he had rested on her cheek. He leaned to touch lips softly, and tenderly. Ajabdeh inhaled. This was not the first kiss of their lives. Yet, the whole feeling of it was new. He had stopped only to be pulled into a deeper and more passionate smooch by her. When they stopped Ajabdeh frowned at his eyes. They shone like they had tears. Her hands travelled to his cheeks a little worried.
“What happened?” She asked.
“This… This is what love feels like.” He said with a lingering smile.
“I guess so.” She kissed his nose making him smile.

Something in her eyes was so captivating that his wandering heart had found a home. He knew he should stop, or perhaps move away but he didn’t. Neither did she. His hands travelled over her back to the chain of the long kurta. He stopped at it. Her kiss sealed the approval he needed. He had for the first time, carried someone to bed. Let her rule over him, surrender to her desires before his. He had for the first time felt content every time her body responded to his.
Ajabdeh didn’t know that she could actually feel shy, or unsure. Neither did she ever imagine she would cry at the moment she felt his love. Pratap was scared by her tears. Had he hurt her or crossed his limits? He had stopped with worry swept across his face. Ajabdeh’s hug had proved him otherwise.
“I love you.” They had smiled in unison and union.
He felt at peace as he watched her sleep. Her long hair falling over her bare back and her content face made him feel that Home was… where Ajabdeh was. He suddenly grew worried. He had a family to convince to their decision.

The first lights of dawn had fallen on Heer’s face through the half-covered curtains. She frowned at the bed beside hers. By the looks of it, Ajabdeh hadn’t come there all night. She frowned. A knock made her stare at the clock. It was half past six.
Shakti entered with a frown and eyed the well-made bed before turning to Heer.
“You don’t know where they are?” He sounded alarmed.
“Why are you so worried?” Heer stared suspiciously. “What happened?”
“I kind of screwed it up.” He confessed sitting on her bed as Heer frowned “What?”

Udai was pacing the study. Hansa and Jaivanta’s eyes were fixed on the door. Shakti stood like a guilty person in a corner sulking. Heer eyed him coldly and rather disapprovingly. Jija hated lies; worse, Heer had no idea where she was. Jalal and Rukaiya had walked to the scene with Bairam in toe. Shakti had called them in an emergency. It was way past midday and everyone had just received a message from Pratap “We need to talk. Palace Study. @2” Confused and not knowing what to expect Rukaiya had held Heer’s hands worried.
Khan Baba broke the silence “What were you thinking?” His voice had an accusing tone, not towards Shakti but the elders.
“I…” Udai spoke only to stop.
“First, you give your children the independence to choose, and then you trick them like this? To marry? I mean yes, they met each other because of your matchmaking but that does not mean you rule their lives? They can get married when they want to.”
“But…” Jaivanta spoke rather worried “Where are they?”

Ajabdeh woke with a startle at the unfamiliar surroundings, and then she remembered everything as her cheeks grew hot and she blushed. He was not there and it made her frown. Dressing up, she stepped out of the well-furnished room into the sheesh mahal. On the table, was a note with breakfast. “Be back soon” She frowned. Where was he? She ate the bread and stared around the place. If they were going to make a home out of it, things needed to be sorted, especially her library and a room for Brownie. She was suddenly worried about how everyone, especially Ranima would take it.
Pratap rushed to his office and finished up some pending work to leave for the day. As he was leaving, an Instagram story from Ajabdeh Punwar grabbed his attention. It was a selfie of theirs at the RukLal wedding. #settinggoals made him smile. When he arrived back at the residential wing, Ajabdeh was on the floor of the sheesh mahal, going through her emails.
“I have news.” He had almost startled her with a peck on her cheek. “So do I.”
“You first.” He suggested.
“I am getting published this winter!!” She smiled. “That’s like ten months from now.” She hugged him tightly as he smiled back. “Now your turn”
“I called the elders to talk about an hour from now,” he said looking at his watch.
“What? So soon?” She frowned surprised.
“Why? Are you thinking of changing your mind?” He asked adding “You can if you…”
“No!” came a firm reply that made him smile “Ekbar jo hum commitment kar dete toh…
“Bas! Bas!” he shook his head. “We will move in after their wedding.”
“Done.” She hugged him back.

The door of the study opened as Ajabdeh walked in rather confidently with Pratap in toe.
“Where were you?”Heer’s words were met by her smile.
“I am getting published this winter. And we decided something, for ourselves” made Jaivanta exchange a scared look with Udai and Hansa.
“Heer and Shakti are getting engaged and married,” Pratap said rather monotonously.
“But” Jalal was about to speak when Khan Baba stopped him, amused at the rebels.
“What about…” Rukaiya spoke up.
“You two?” Shakti finished scared.
“Us?” Ajabdeh had stared at Pratap who had held her hand making Hansa and Jaivanta stare at them.
“We are moving in together.” Pratap had said.
“What?” It was Hansa and Udai who had spoken in unison.
“We will get married when we want, how we want, IF we want.” Ajabdeh spoke calmly “We love each other; we have you all that is enough. We feel our relationship doesn’t need social validation as of now.”
“It’s still a bird that doesn’t know how to fly; we can’t cage it with Log Kya Kahenge. We never cared for that. Our families know that too.” Ajabdeh was rather pleasantly surprised at Pratap’s use of a metaphor.
“And that’s your final decision?” Udai asked with a disapproved look.
“Yes, we are making a home out of the Residential suite at the Heritage wing of the Hotel,” Pratap answered.
“But… But…” Hansa had stared at her firstborn.
“Maasa.” Ajabdeh had walked up to her mother. “We are not saying we won’t ever get married, who knows, someday we will. But right now…”
“Let us fly freely, together.” Pratap finished. Shakti stared in disbelief at what his words had caused. He expected Jaivanta to be hurt. But instead, she smiled at her firstborn and hugged Ajabdeh.
“Whatever makes you happy.” She had said.
Khan Baba on the other hand let out a chuckle and hugged a much-surprised Pratap and Ajabdeh.
“Well done! We need more children like you! Hansa Ji, Udai, you should be proud of these kids.”
Pratap walked up to Heer “I know you won’t approve of this, and you are overprotective of her, but I promise you, Heer, she won’t regret this. And also …”
“There is a royal wedding in hand to take care of, so be happy at least for yourselves.” Ajabdeh added and stared at Shakti “You get married once, hopefully. Right, Shakti?”
“But… are you…” Heer asked with a frown.
“Sure?” Shakti finished as they stared at each other briefly.
“Trust me when I say this Bhai, I have never been this sure in all my life.” Pratap held Shakti’s upper arms before hugging him.
“Me neither, Heeriye, trust me.” Ajabdeh smiled at her sister.
“I do.” Heer hugged her back as everyone smiled at each other.

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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 her 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 colourful. K...

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...

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....

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, ...

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...