Skip to main content

The Promises


“Love comes unexpectedly, like a gust of wind in the summer afternoon.”

The morning was gloomy at Bijoliya. Rawat Chundawat and Rao Ramrakh Punwar sat with dejected faces that showed that they had been insulted enough for their idea of peace by the Rana. Kunwar Partap sat rubbing his hands with a frown. Kunwar Shakta fumed at his father’s irrational behaviour.
“I apologize.” Kunwar Partap broke the silence “On his behalf, for your insults.” Rao Ramrakh looked up at the crown prince joining his hands before him, in shock.
“No No Kunwarsa!” He held his hands humbly “You need not apologize. Ranaji is right. This is his decision, we cannot…” His words faded out as Rawatji placed his hand gently on his shoulder.

“It cannot be his decision if it is Mewar’s future at stake Raoji.” Kunwar Shakta fumed. Kunwar Partap shot him a warning glance that made him stop. Kunwar Shakta was angrier at what Rawatji mentioned. Their father had even gone to the extent of breaking personal ties mentioning “There will be no marital alliances with Bijoliya henceforth”. Kunwar Shakta clenched his jaws. He was sure the news had reached the Ranimahals, and Badima and Maasa would be disheartened. And what about Ajbante Baisa? For the past two days, Kunwar Shakta had observed changes in his Dadabhai’s behaviour towards her, with hopeful eyes. He had seen Dadabhai praise her cooking, and hear her read to her siblings. He hated his father now. The man had no right to decide for people.

Hansa Bai wiped away her tears as she heard her daughter approach. She had heard the men speak from behind the jharokha and she was sure so had Ajbante. She did not know of wars and politics but the mother in her was worried about her daughter’s uncertain future, and how to face her. She looked up at Ajbante’s calm face. She had no hint of pain in her eyes.
“I came to ask you what we should serve the guests for dinner Maasa.” She spoke in her usual compose.
Hansa Bai did what she had never done in her life. She hugged Ajbante tightly to her chest and sobbed. Ajbante closed her eyes to stop the coming tears and held her mother tightly in her arms.
“Everything will be fina Maasa.” Her words made Hansa Bai stare at the girl. Did she actually believe it?
“How can things be fine Ajab?” She asked between her sobs.
“Even if it doesn’t go exactly like we plan, life always falls into place and things are eventually fine Maasa.” She smiled reassuringly “You can never fight destiny.”
“Only Eklingji knows what is in your destiny.” Hansa Bai hugged her daughter tightly. Ajbante Bai let out a sigh, hoping her mother wouldn’t notice. She was in a way relieved. It was going to happen someday and it did, just not the way she thought it would. She placed her hand gently on her mother’s hands and smiled “Let me see what to serve for dinner.”

On her way to the kitchen, Ajbante stopped at the strategy room. Kunwar Shakta sat on the floor as Kunwar Partap was arranging the marks. She realized that they were going to make strategies for the impending war, and rubbed her hands thinking of his invitation for her to help them out.
“With Bijoliya not going to war” Kunwar Shakta’s voice made her frown “We will be some thousand lesser.” Kunwar Partap agreed in silence. His mind was preoccupied.
“Why won’t Bijoliya go to war?” Her voice startled the princes as she realized she had overstepped her boundaries “I apologize …” she looked away.
“You tell me Baisa if you were at your father’s place would you go after such an insult?” Kunwar Shakta’s voice was harsh; Kunwar Partap looked at his brother warningly. “I won’t!” Kunwar Shakta shrugged.
“I would.” Her words made Kunwar Partap stop at his marking and look up at her “For my service to my country doesn’t change with who is sitting on the throne and my personal issues. When my country needs me…” She stopped “I will talk to Daata. Maybe he is taking an impulsive decision, but this is not right.”
“Dhanyavaad.” Kunwar Shakta stared at his brother and back at the princess who nodded understandingly.
“What do you think of this strategy Baisa?” Kunwar Shakta pointed at the map in front of them “Dadabhai made it so be careful before giving your insights.” He chuckled to lighten the mood as Ajbante smiled slightly at him and Kunwar Partap shook his head with a smile at him and moved away for her to inspect his markings. 

Ajbante stepped in, to the place where he stood and read the map.
She asked frowning.”Does Mewar have enough allies?”
“Allies?” Kunwar Shakta asked “yes there is Sirohi and Jallore.”
“You think we need more?” Kunwar Partap’s question surprised his brother as it was directed to Ajbante Baisa.
“I don’t know. Asking smaller states can be of help. I wonder what Marwar is thinking.” Ajbante spoke absent-mindedly.
“What do you mean?” Kunwar Shakta frowned.
“Would you agree to a war, just over fallout over a marriage?” Ajbante frowned.
“This is more about Rao Maldeo’s personal ego clash with Daajiraj Hukum.” Kunwar Partap spoke.
“They forget they are kings. Kings should never have personal wars.” Kunwar Shakta blurted.
“Or perhaps, Marwar wants to show it is mightier than Mewar, to the growing power of the Turks.” Ajbante frowned “I heard Rao Maldeo had once promised Humayun some help when he lost his empire.”
“He did not give any thought.” Kunwar Shakta shrugged.
“Maybe that is why he wants...” Kunwar Partap’s voice trailed “To serve his ego and his...”
“I do not understand how people survive with such false pride.” Kunwar Shakta spoke in remorse before walking out.
Ajbante watched him leave and worry swept across her face. She was about to follow him out as well.
“Let him be, he is impulsive, he will come around.” Kunwar Partap stopped her on her track as she turned to face him.
“I am sorry if my words upset him.” Ajbante Kanwar was worried.

“He is upset about something else altogether.” Kunwar Partap bit his lips as soon as he said it making Ajbante Kanwar look up at him briefly. ” Actually Baisa, I am sorry, because of me Raoji…”
“You need not apologise Kunwarsa, it is our duty to serve Mewar, and we will continue to do so.” She smiled reassuringly, but there was a tone of formality in her voice that disturbed Kunwar Partap.
“I…” he thought if he should speak of it then remained silent. Ajbante understood and smiled “It is good that it happened this way, either way, someday or the other…”
“I did not expect him to be so insensitive towards…” Kunwar Partap stopped at his own words. Emotions? Did he care about her emotions when he wrote a letter of rejection two years back or did he think of the consequences? Was he even the right person to judge his father for doing the same? Kunwar Partap’s eyes travelled to the girl in front of him. In the flickering light of the lamps at dusk, her face was calm. In an eerie way, she reminded him of Ranima today, and how she handled family crises. He was sure her mother was hurt too, and here she was, worried for Mewar more than her own uncertain future. In his heart, Kunwar Partap always admired Ajbante’s efforts and self-esteem. Today, he respected her soul.
Ajbante smiled faintly “It is time we probably need to focus on the war, and do not worry. Before you leave, I will convince Daata to go with you on the war; it is a Samanth’s daughter’s promise to the Senapati of Mewar.”
Kunwar Partap felt relieved at her words. “I… we will be leaving the day after tomorrow.” He said rather monotonously. Yet something in him felt restless as he looked away from her and focussed on the map.
Ajbante’s smile faded a little as she murmured softly “Excuse me, I should go and check if dinner…” She walked away from the room, in slow dignified steps, as her eyes twinkled.

As the moon shone through the jharokhas that night, and the wind brought fragrances of flowers from the garden, Ajbante sat holding her cushions tightly as she wept. She had dared to keep on dreaming of things much after they had ended in reality. She had put him on the throne of her heart, and no one could ever replace him there. A sudden thought came to her mind. This was probably the last time she saw him. Before she would know it, her father would surely fix her marriage elsewhere and he will eventually marry some princess. They would never meet again. Sending him letters would be inappropriate for her. Ajbante felt like she was losing a part of herself. In trying to prove him wrong, over the past two years, she had discovered sides of herself even she hadn’t known. She had found herself, trying to win his heart. She had promised him to convince her father, and she would keep her promise. She could probably take the path of God, much like Meera Ma did, but could she even be truthful to God, for her heart would always belong to him? Ajbante felt like she was losing her grip on her emotions. A part of her wanted to go and face Kunwar Partap. Tell him everything she ever felt. And a part of her wanted to tell him that she respected him immensely and wish him success. Torn between her thoughts Ajbante was restless. She couldn’t sleep till the first lights of dawn entered her chambers and she decided to wipe her tears and talk to her father and remind him of his duties.

READ CHAPTERS HERE
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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...
6 comments
Read More

Purnota: Prologue

2008. Kolkata. The autumnal rain swept across the gravelled streets of Kolkata. In the darkest hour of the night, the occasional thunder rumbled across the sky, now covered in thick grey clouds. The street lights reflected on them as though a shower of golden light was flooding the streets of South Kolkata. It was widely believed that such torrential rain with thunderstorms just before the Durga Puja was a sign of Maa Durga having a marital spat with Baba Mahadev, whose possessiveness and love for his wife made him want to stop her from coming home with the four children for the five-day extravaganza. The rain was her tears, and the thunder rolls were the arguments between husband and wife. Such was the tale told by grandmothers across Bengal when the children flocked around her, scared of the thunder god’s wrath.  As the raindrops suddenly changed course and rushed into the room of the boarding house near Southern Avenue with a sudden gust of wind, she was jolted from this romanti...
Post a Comment
Read More

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...
5 comments
Read More

Purnota: Chapter One

“The cyclone that hit Bangladesh on May 2nd, 1994, has left parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar devastated. Landslides have been seen in and around Northeast India, and Dumdum Airport has resumed its function after two days. Fishermen are still prohibited from going into the sea. The winds reached up to 215 km/h…” The men grunted at the radio news while sitting on the bench of the tea stall in Kobi Bharat Chandra Road in Chandannagar. One of the older men put away the Ananda Bazar Patrika, picking up his glass of tea while some of the others looked through a notebook. One of them had thick spectacles on and a pen tucked behind his ear while the younger ones smoked cigarettes and debated about the India-Pakistan match at Sharjah, which Pakistan once again won by thirty-nine runs. “I am telling you, Poritosh Da, they cheated.” A young man said, letting out smoke. “No way they could have won the final had it not been at Sharjah.” “Oh, stop your theories. Nobody except Kambli stood up to them ...
Post a Comment
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Two

“The car will not go beyond this point, Choto Malik .” The driver’s words forced Aniruddha to step out, and his feet landed in mud. “The wheels will get stuck. It seems like it rained a lot yesterday.” The driver added as he inspected the road in the dim light of the setting dusk.    “How far is the house?” Aniruddha frowned, contemplating. “I can walk.” “This is just the beginning of the area; we have to look for it.” The driver shrugged. “Should I bring out your luggage?” Aniruddha sighed. He had a trolley and a bag. How could he walk with them in the mud? Leaving the car there was not safe either. “Who are you looking for?” The childish voice came through the silence around them, though nobody could be seen. Aniruddha looked around, and so did the alarmed driver. “Whose house are you searching for?” The voice was heard again. The driver jumped back a few steps, saying, “ Bh… Bh… Bhoot… ” “What?” Aniruddha shook his head as the man looked scared “There is no such thing as…” ...
Post a Comment
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Three

“Did you ask for me, Dadu?” Bondita asked as the old man smiled at her. She looked fresh, with her hair neatly braided and a cotton pleated skirt, Thamma sewn with a faded top of one of her cousins, as she stood before the old man sitting on the porch. “Yes indeed, Didibhai, you didn’t come for chess yesterday.” The man smiled. “Oh, Pradhan Jyatha wanted me to look out for the …” She stopped as she saw Aniruddha walking towards them down the corridor. She eyed him as the old man followed her gaze. “Oh Aniruddha Babu, come here. This is Bondita Das.” Aniruddha smiled at the child as she looked away. “She is the only girl in the village who has appeared for her final examinations this year. She is very intelligent and…” Aniruddha nodded “She helped me a lot yesterday.” He made her look up, with a cold stare at him as he smiled politely. “Yes, I have called her here to show you around the village. He wants to see the affected areas of the Adivasis, Bondita.” The old man made her nod. “But...
Post a Comment
Read More

Destiny

The war was almost won. A few of Marwar’s soldiers were left on the field along with Rao Maldeo Singh Rathore, their king and leader. He was thinking of retreating at the end of this day. As his sword clashed with one of the opponent generals as he eyed the opponent King now open and prone to attack. A little hope flickered in his mind as his eyes instructed his closest aide. The opponent was in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just sixteen, yet his bravery and valour reflected his blood and upbringing. He mesmerised the opponents and even Rao Maldeo with his clever war strategies and sword skills. As Maldeo’s aide swung his sword at a taken aback Udai Singh, someone’s sword defended it as his body acted like a shield for the king. He killed the man in one go. “ Ranaji, are you okay?” “ Haan Raoji.” He nodded gratefully.  By half the day, the Marwar army had retreated as the air filled with “ Jai Mewar! Jai Eklingji!” From the triumphant soldiers. Rana Udai ...
1 comment
Read More

Secrets of the Hearts

Kunwar Pratap opened his eyes to catch a glimpse of Ajabde. She was sitting on the chair in front of the dressing table, filling her hairline with the sindoor. She looked freshly bathed and so serene in the light of the dawn, he stared with a smile meandering on his lips. He didn't get up or make her aware of his watchful eyes, but Ajabde seemed to feel it as she blushed slightly before putting on her dupatta and walking into the Puja Room without looking at him, although fully aware that his eyes followed her.   He dressed up as she finished her puja and he was heading out as she frowned. Usually, he waited to take her prasad and tell her the agenda for the day. He stopped at the door, aware of her confusion.   " I am going to Ranima, I will be back to take Prasad and my Dagger. " He smiled back as she nodded, keeping her Thaal as she went to place his dagger, sword and brooch right where he needed them to be. He stepped into Ranima's puja Ghar to find Hansa Bai and ...
9 comments
Read More

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabde looked visibly displeased at the daasi who ran. " They are at the fort gates and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red Jora and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maa sa Maa sa... who is coming with Daajiraj?" His innocent question made her heart sink. " Bhanwar Ji." Sajja Bai called out to him. " Come here I will tell you." Amar rushed to his Majhli Dadisa. " Ajabde." She turned at Jaivanta Bai's call. "They are here." " M... My Aarti thali..." Ajabde looked lost like never before. Jaivanta Bai held her stone-cold hands, making her stop. She patted her head and gave her a hug. The hug gave her the comfort she was looking for as her racing heart calmed down. Jaivanta Bai left her alone with her thaal. " Maa sa!" Amar exclaimed...
Post a Comment
Read More

Rishta Tera Mera: Prologue

  Chal raho pe ek nayi rah banaye Department of Law, University of Calcutta Class of 1942 She adjusted the black satin gown over her saree and straightened it. Her excitement knew no bounds. She was anxious, excited, sleep deprived and happy. They say dreams only become true if you dare to dream with open eyes. That she did. She had big dreams, bigger than what was offered to her. Everyone happened to see success in a success story. What about the journey? The hurdles and abuses? What does a person leave or face for a big dream? They don’t matter any more once someone succeeds. People look up to them. But then, the person remembers every moment like it was yesterday. Who had faith in them and who didn’t, those who supported them, and those who didn’t? Everything in life comes in a flash in front of their eyes. Today was such a day for her. If she believed in rebirth, she would have to believe this was her moment of being reborn. To fly and reach the skies. "She is our topper, and ...
Post a Comment
Read More