Skip to main content

People's Princess

Image
By
Pratap was surprised to find that instead of the stable, Patta was at the gates waiting for him. He was about to ask when the boy grinned at him, saying, “Baisa Hukum told us to wait here. We are going on a tour of the NGO with her.”
“We?” Pratap frowned at Patta’s words as the boy nodded and jumped on the back of his bike.
“She is getting ready. The driver and Chundawat will go with her in that big car.” He pointed at a maroon-coloured Rolls-Royce vintage edition with Surajgarh’s emblem on it. Pratap shook his head. As much as he was eager to see her accept her duties, he was not ready to neglect Chetak for it.
“But she was supposed to start riding and...”
“I gave Chetak his balm and fodder.” Patta spoke, “And Baisa said one day’s rest won’t harm him.” 

Pratap shook his head slightly and stared at the porch where Chundawat appeared, waving his hand at the driver, cleaning the car, to bring it up on the porch.
Another figure appeared behind Chundawat, as Pratap’s eyes widened slightly and Patta gasped in awe. Ajabdeh Punwar was draped in a white muslin saree and a blue velvet blouse with elegant strings of pearl around her neck, and a pearl and gold bracelet adorned her wrist. Her hair was tied up and covered with the loose end of her saree as she held it close to her abdomen. Wearing the same shades that she wore the first morning, she looked around and waved in their direction with a smile. Chundawat promptly followed her gaze and walked up to them.

“Follow the car through the estate, stop where we stop and do not talk until spoken to, understand?” He frowned at Pratap’s lack of response as he watched the princess get into the car.
“Yes.” Patta readily nodded back as Chundawat gave one more glance at Pratap, who nodded slightly at him, starting his bike while Chundawat went to take a seat beside the driver. The car drove off, and Pratap followed it closely on his bike.
“I still feel we should have taken at least one guard with us, Baisa Hukum.” Chundawat shook his head.
“We are going to meet our own people, Chundawatji, I don’t want to be guarded against my own.” Her voice was firm. Remember to treat them like you are one of them; you have to make them believe in you through your actions. She smiled as she remembered his words.

“Who taught you so much diplomacy in a day, Hukum?” Chundawat’s voice was almost like admiration, which made Ajabdeh smile. In the rearview mirror, she could see the bike following.
“I never asked where you stay. Who do you have at home, Chundawatji?” Ajabdeh spoke, changing the topic. The man was taken aback, for in the past few years that he had served here, none of the royals had asked him more than what was needed.
“... my mother, wife and two children.” Chundawat spoke, “I stay near Salumber. It takes an hour or so...”
“Your children wait for you to get home?” She smiled.
“Yes, every night.” He smiled back warmly. Ajabdeh reached out to her purse and held out four toffees she could find “Here, give these to them.”
“No No Baisa Hukum... I...”
“Take it. Tell them Ajabdeh Jija gave them.” She stared out of the window as he accepted the chocolates, a little taken aback at her gesture.

“We will stop at the Welfare centre for children and women. Many widows and orphans work there, and there is also a home for children.” Chundawat spoke in an official tone after some time. Ajabdeh nodded faintly. She stared at the row of huts, bound by a compound wall and gate where the car stopped. Not waiting for Chundawat to open the doors for her, she got down and removed her shades. Pratap stopped his bike a few feet away as Patta jumped off and he removed his helmet. 

He stared right at her and nodded reassuringly, as she flashed a smile and turned to the huts. Patta and he had followed them around in relative silence. There wasn’t much for them to do here, except hear Chundawat speak. Ajabdeh had talked to a few women. Some were very old yet working. She then inspected the orphanage and instructed some changes to be made and repairs to be done, which Chundawat noted down.

After spending an hour or so, Patta almost whispered to Pratap, “Why are we here?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged at the boy.
After the tour was done, Ajabdeh Punwar stared at her watch. It was almost time for sunset.
“I wish to go meet Meera Guruma now; you may leave with the driver.” Chundawat frowned at her words and stared at the equally taken-aback Patta.
“But I do not know of a gathering today, Baisa Hukum.” Chundawat frowned.
“Oh, you don’t stay in the village Chundawatji, how will you know? There is a gathering, isn’t it, Pratap?” Taken aback at her words, Chundawat and Patta waited for his answer. All Pratap could do was nod.
“Pratap can drive me there, and Patta can take his bike home. Go home, Chundawatji. I am sure your family is waiting.” She smiled a genuine smile that made Chundawat nod.
“You are very kind, Baisa, you think of everyone.” He left bowing.
Patta grinned at Pratap and snatched his keys.
“It is rented, so be careful.” Pratap warned him, “One scratch and tomorrow you will tame Chetak on the grounds, you understand?”
“Yes, Bhaiya, I will just drop it off at your place, I promise.” Patta gulped.

Ajabdeh waved at Patta, leaving as Pratap sat at the wheel and stared worriedly at the boy riding away.
“Don’t worry, he will do fine.” Her words made him turn to see her sitting behind him, in the back seat. “Let’s go.”
“But there is no gathering.” He frowned.”And Badima is probably at the temples for her evening prayers.”
“I know.” Ajabdeh pulled off the end of the saree from over her head and checked her hair in the rearview mirror “Drive to somewhere from where I can see the sunset.” Pratap frowned at her words.
“I think you forgot I am equally new here as you are and...” Pratap stared at the wheels “Good lord! I am driving a Rolls-Royce.” 
This made her chuckle at his words, and she said, “Mandakini Kund. I asked my maid, and she said it is a small artificial lake from where the sunset can be seen between two hills. I will give you the map.” She took out the maps app and pushed it into his palm. Pratap reluctantly started the car.

“You must be thinking Why did I get you to do all these random things for me?” She smiled, watching him in the rearview mirror.
“No.” Came a short protest.
“It is because I know you won’t tell people. My secret is safe with you.” She murmured. “And I owe you thanks.”
“For what?” He frowned.
“For making me believe that I can be my people’s princess too.” She stared out of the window at the scene of meadows and trees passing by.
“I just said what I felt was right.” He shrugged.
“Did I do a good job?” She asked, looking ahead, pointing to a signboard that said “Mandakini Kund” and pointing left, where the off-road was very narrow.
“How will I know? I have never seen a royal before.” He shrugged matter-of-factly, stopping the car “I guess we have to walk from here, Ma’am.”

In between the shrubs and bushes was the road that led to a water body in sight, the banks of which were once carved with glorious sculptures, now standing in ruins. It can easily be said that the place is not maintained, but the water being used is clean.
Pratap walked ahead, eager to catch a full glimpse of the kind, while Ajabdeh struggled on the muddy road with her saree.
“Wait.” She called out. “Give me your hand, I hate these heels.” She stretched out her right hand to him, carefully holding her saree with her left as he stared awkwardly at her hand and at her.
“Do you want me to fall down? Hold my hand.” She almost shouted at him as Pratap looked around to see if anyone could hear her. In this sudden alertness, he reached out and grabbed her right hand with his left one. Her skin was soft, her long nails painted, and her fingers cold.

“Are you feeling cold?” He frowned.
“No, why?” Ajabdeh stood beside him, on the broken bank, sighed and let go of his hand.
“Your umm... fingers...” He looked awkward.
“Oh.” She rubbed her hands together and spoke, “I was just nervous about the day. I am glad things went well.” She smiled at him and at the yellow sun. “How much time till sunset do you think?”
“Umm... ten minutes.” He said, looking at the yellow sun.
“Then we should sit down.” She opened her purse, took out a handkerchief and laid it down on the broken stairs that led to the water. He sat down on the stair below hers, his hands on his knees.
The birds were chirping in the trees that stood on the other bank of the kund, overlooking the hills, returning to their nests. The water shone in the light of the setting sun that was finally turning a little orange, and the serene nature was otherwise wrapped in silence.

“Sunsets or sunrises?” Ajabdeh broke the silence almost with a whisper. “What do you prefer?”
“Sunsets.” He said, staring into the horizon.
“I thought you were a sunrise person.” She frowned.
“Why so?” he asked.
“Who else takes riding lessons at 6AM?” She shrugged, “And doesn’t even let me ride.” The second part came almost like a murmur and complaint that made him smile slightly.
“You could have just told me 6AMs are difficult for you, and we could do somewhere around 8 then!” He shrugged.
“No, let it be.” She shook her head. “Why do you like sunsets?”
“I don’t know. I never gave it much of a thought.” Pratap shrugged.

“I like sunsets because, despite the nature separating the day and night for the whole time, the day finally decides to plunge into the darkness of the night, at sunset, with dusk.” Pratap stared at her face as the red hues of the sun fell on her calm face and made the pearls and her eyes shine. “The day is not scary anymore, to unite with the night. Much like two completely different people in love.” She stopped, realising he was staring at her in disbelief as she cleared her throat, making him look away.
“What?” she frowned at his lack of response “...was that too much?” He shook his head.
“I am beginning to feel Badimaasa will have quite a disciple in you, Ma’am, finding romance in a sunset.” Pratap spoke, staring at the sun going down, “That is....rare.”
“I am rare Pratap Singh.” She smiled, “I am the Princess of Surajgarh.”
“I thought you weren’t, " he shrugged, "Because you were average and...” he tried to remember what she said.
“Only to people who know me, I will never be a princess first.” Ajabdeh stopped him as he stared at her.

 “I am trying to figure out if you are the same person I met at the meadow.” He narrowed his eyes at her and checked his watch “Come, let me drop you home, Ma’am.” She was about to follow him when he turned and said monotonously, “Oh, and these were extra work hours, I hope I get paid for them.”
“It will be taken care of.” Ajabdeh reassured as he offered his hand for assistance, but she shook her head with a small “I will manage, let’s go.” As she walked ahead, and he followed her, the dusk slowly plunged into more darkness.



Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

My Everything

By
Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda amidst uncertainty and chaos. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rawat Chundawat, and some other chieftains stopped the ongoing Raj Tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani hadn't expected Kunwar Pratap to show up, that too, despite her conveying to him his father's last wish of crowning Kunwar Jagmal. Twenty-one days after Udai Singh's death, she was finally close to a dream she had dared to dream since Jagmal was born. He was not informed about the Raj Tilak as per Dheerbai's instructions. She eyed Rawat Ji. He must have assembled the chiefs to this revolt against her son, against the dead king. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing, Chotima?" A disappointed voice was directed at her. She could stoop down so low? For the first time, an anger...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Six

By
Bondita opened her door in the usual hours of the morning and found Thamma and Jyatha Moshai on the couch in their living room, sipping tea. She had half sat on her bed, leaning against the pillow all night, imagining her plight when she faced Aniruddha in the morning. What if he did not think of it as much as she thought of his actions? What if that was his uncomfortable way of comforting her because she was upset? But what about his eyes, his gestures? Had she misread all of it? Bondita blushed to herself the moment she remembered how his eyes followed her around for the past two days. Bondita was hurrying through her daily chores, eyeing the clock, for she would be late for work and overheard Trilochon lament about things not changing since Binoy left. He thought that things were getting better at home, but as soon as Aniruddha had left for Sunderban, Binoy informed him that he had changed the attorney in charge of his case. Bondita frowned slightly as her hand stopped at wearing th...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Five

By
“The bride is older than the groom.” Aniruddha heard one of the older villagers speak in a judgmental tone. “No wonder the higher castes don’t attend such atrocities.” He eyed the younger man he was talking to, who smiled. Aniruddha was sitting beside them on a bench in the open courtyard of a house where the wedding rituals were taking place. Tirio and Tumdak were playing rhythmically in a corner as some women danced to the tunes surrounding the new bride and groom. The men sat on the other side of the courtyard.  “Forget about the Brahmins, we don’t expect them to come.” The younger man shook his head. “As for traditions, what is wrong if the bride is older?” He smiled sheepishly at the older man. “What’s wrong? Everything. Master Moshai, you can be educated, but our ancient traditions have reasons. The groom must be older than the bride. It has some reason.” He shook his head. The teacher, in turn, educated the man that it was a perfectly normal Santhali ritual to marry older wo...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Seven

By
“Why will Bondita not come for Holi?” Asha asked as she inspected the colours, Abir, Pichkiri and balloons Somnath had ordered from Baro Bazaar. He shrugged. “She is scared of colours, I think.” Asha smiled, a little amused at her clueless husband. “She is not ten anymore.” He looked up at her words with a sheepish smile, “Well, I never saw her play Holi, perhaps Dadabhai knows the reason.” Asha contemplated her husband’s words. She did not share a relationship with Aniruddha frank enough for him to share things about Bondita. It would be easier for her to ask Bondita instead. “If you wish for her to come,” Som said, like he could almost read her mind, “Perhaps you can invite her. She won’t say no to you.” Asha nodded. “It will be good to have the whole family together. It's not been so since the wedding.” She smiled. Som agreed as he matched the list with the things. “Yes, and Baba will be coming too, he told me not to tell Jethu, but I was surprised by that.” “Maybe because he an...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Eight

By
Trilochon was so overwhelmed that Binoy came for the Pujo and Kirtan on Dol Purnima. Their neighbours, friends and acquaintances had all gathered in the Thakur Dalan, first for the pujo when the idol of Sree Radha and Sree Krishna were worshipped in the Dalan, and Horir Loot of Batasha and Naru were distributed. Unlike in the village, people here, especially children, did not fight over the Horir Loot . Bondita and Batuk took part in the ritual like they used to as kids, counting the number of Batasha each of them had, amusing the elders who reminisced about their childhood and how Batuk snatched Bondita’s share and ran as she chased after him, shouting. The Kirtan followed the pujo, the tales of Sree Krishna’s prowess, his Leela and Radha’s sacrifice were sung with the sounds of Dhol and Khanjani . It followed the devotional songs praising Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his praises to Lord Krishna. Bondita not only liked the stories of Kirtan but also how the crowd joined in the singing and...
Read More

Scheme of Things

By
The ousting of Shams Khan and his troops from Chittorgarh earned Kunwar Partap Singh overnight fame across the land as tales of his bravery made their way through the dunes and hills, across rivers and borders to lands far and beyond. At thirteen, he had commanded an army troop to take over the fort of Chittorgarh and restore Mewar’s borders to their former glory. People started comparing him to his forefathers, the great Rana Kumbha, who built forts across Mewar and his grandfather, Rana Sanga, who had united all Rajputs against external threats. As bards sang praises of the prince, gossip soon followed. Gossip was the most entertaining one could get in the mundane city lives and village gatherings, and it often travelled faster than the fastest Marwadi horse. So alongside the tales of his absolute bravery and how he hoisted the Mewari flag on the fort, were the stories of how his life was in danger, the king and queen did not quite get along and how he was made to live in poverty by ...
Read More

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Four

By
“You are cheating, he can’t play!” Bondita was attracted by the commotion downstairs as she opened the window of her room. She walked out to the balcony to inspect it. It was Sunday, and Padma had promised to make Chicken Curry, knowing Bondita had invited Tapur to join them for lunch. In the courtyard was a group of boys, probably Sidhu’s friends, with a broken pipe for a bat, a wooden plank for a wicket kept between two bricks and a rubber ball, arguing over a game of cricket. Bondita’s eyes stopped at Aniruddha, marking a line with chalk and then measuring feet using steps to mark the boundaries. Bondita looked amused at the sight. “Batuk. You went out fair and square; give me the bat.” Bondita put her hands on her waist as she commanded. Batuk refused to part with his new bat. Som frowned at his brother. “She is right; it was a clean bowl. Give her the bat!” Som commanded. “I was not ready.” Batuk shook his head. “She knew that.” “It's still out.” Bondita frowned. Aniruddha wal...
Read More

The Difficulties

By
“The best of our characters are often reflected in our children.” Kunwar Shakta had visited the court at Udaipur after a Turk marriage offer was turned down by Rana Udai Singh for the third time for one of his Princesses. The Ranimahal at Chittorgarh buzzed with rumours of him warning his father about the consequences of enemity with the Turks and also about the impending doom of Mewar. He had apparently irked Kunwar Partap by suggesting a peace alliance with the Timurids was beneficial to Mewar. Rana Udai Singh, in his anger, had banished him from his court. Kunwar Shakta had sworn not to be associated with the royal family any further and to join allies with the Turks. Rawat Chundawat was calm enough to pacify the angry prince and offer him to shift to Bassi and give his decision a second thought. However, Kunwar Partap had refused to abandon Chittor, defying his father’s orders for a shift to the newly founded capital with his Ranimahal. He wanted to stay at Chittorgarh, which...
Read More

Towards You

By
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...
Read More

Endless

By
Kunwar Pratap reached the Dangal. Ranima had ordered Ajabdeh to practise regularly. She was nowhere around since he woke up that morning. He had assumed she was with Ranima for the morning prayers, but then she was not in the Dangal on time, either. Ajabdeh was never late. He felt a little uneasy as he picked up the sword. A thunder made him look up at the gloomy sky as he felt the first drop of rain. A little wet, he ran through the corridors.   Ajabdeh had woken up feeling unwell. He was sleeping after a tiring day, so she decided against calling him and, more, worrying him. She bathed, hoping to feel better, performed her puja and went to the gardens for some fresh air. Still feeling uneasy in the gloomy weather, she decided that playing with Parvati might make her feel better. After some talk with Bhago and playing with Parvati, she stood up from the floor and felt dizzy. Bhago caught her hand. " Are you all right?" " I just felt a little dizzy. I don't know why...
Read More