RAABTA

Ajabdeh had been awake all night. As dawn cleared the darkness, she had stood in front of the mirror and promised herself that she was never again going to let her guard down in front of Pratap. She was not naive to the fact that it led nowhere in the future and that he could be in danger because of her impulsiveness, if anyone found out. This was Surajgarh, and the rules were different in this world. Ajabdeh promised herself, clenching her jaw, to stop her tears, that she would be the strong girl that she always has been, shutting people out of her life. She was sure Pratap would want just that; he had made it clear with his actions that he wanted to be here for Badimaasa and wanted no trouble. Patta had fastened Chetak’s saddle and waited for Pratap to come, but there was no sign of him. Ajabdeh arrived at the stable to find Patta alone, and it was past 6AM. Her heart skipped a beat. “Where is he?” Patta shook his head with a shrug. Ajabdeh dialled his number in vain and frowned. “...

Pratap felt her hand on his shoulder as soon as the bike was on the village road. But he didn’t stiffen at her touch. It was midday, and village women who were coming back home with water and cattle watched them zoom past, and so did the children at play. He had insisted on her putting on the helmet for safety. She had frowned, saying it hurt her where the Mang tika was placed, but she had obliged. For once, he meant it only for safety. For once, he didn’t care for all the people who spotted him zooming away with a girl on the back of his bike. A turn from the short way, and they were on the fairly empty highway as the board of Surajgarh disappeared behind them. “Where are we going?” He asked at last, as she removed her helmet, making the dupatta fly slightly in the wind. “Where do you want to go?” She asked, looking at him through the side glasses. “Anywhere is fine with me.” He shrugged. As long as you are there. “Then we will first have lunch at a roadside Dhaba.” She insist...

“What’s the occasion, Bhaiya?” Patta asked as Pratap offered him some sweets from the temple. “It’s... my mother’s death anniversary today.” He said nonchalantly. “I usually go to the Chamunda Devi Temple at Jodhpur each year, but this year Badima took me to the Hara Gauri Temple in the village.” “I am sorry...” Patta spoke, taking the sweet “I also miss my father...” Pratap nodded in silence, giving him a caring pat on his shoulder. The sound of footsteps behind them made Patta rush on with his work of cleaning, while Pratap saw the figure approach him with a smile, and her smile faded into a question, seeing the sweets in his hand. “It’s my mother’s death anniversary today, so... I went to the temple.” He said as he placed a bit of the blessing on her palm. He then turned to go about his work and take Chetak out while she waited by the fences. Ajabdeh patted Chetak with a smile as he put on the saddle. She got up on his back, as Pratap held her hand firmly, and let go as so...

“And now she is your friend?” Meera smiled as Pratap went about cleaning his room, talking to her. “She is a royal and...” “So? Who laid down a rule that two humans cannot connect if they want to?” Meera frowned. “Anyone can be friends, what is the harm?” “Badimaasa.” He shrugged, “Your rules don’t apply in this world.” “You are the wrong Ladesar, my rules are universal, just like love is. They have been so for ages; it is this society that keeps changing its rules.” She smiled. “I don’t know. I feel she has been lonely all her life, and she just needs people to open up to.” He shrugged. “She has a heart of gold.” His hand stopped at work as he looked at nothing in particular “She is trying so hard and not wanting anyone to see it too. She wants everything she never had... family, friendship... love...” “You seem to know her quite well in these few days.” Meera spoke plainly, making him go back to dusting, “She talks a lot with you?” “No.” His voice was protesting, and Meer...

Pratap was brushing Chetak when Patta bowed to someone behind him, making him turn. “How are you, Baisa Hukum?” Patta asked as she eyed Pratap and smiled at Patta, “How nice of you to ask Patta I am fine.” She gave him an eye roll and sat down on the haystack. “I will go get his fodder.” Pratap declared to no one in particular as Patta stood waiting for him to leave. “Hukum!" Patta sounded excited. "I think Bhaiya has someone.” Patta giggled in a whisper. “Huh?” Ajabdeh frowned “Meaning?” “Like you city people say. Girlfriend.” Patta nodded matter-of-factly, making Ajabdeh raise her eyebrows, as her heart made a funny leap. “Is it so?” She wished the boy hadn't noticed the colour fade a little from her face. “Yes. I saw them yesterday at the fair.” Patta couldn’t understand why Ajabdeh chuckled, amused and said, “That is interesting, but don’t tell anyone.” “No, I didn’t. I told you.” He shrugged. “Promise?” Ajabdeh asked, giving Patta her pinky fing...

The shopkeeper narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the young man in front of him. He had just opened his shop, and the market wasn’t open yet. This young man seemed to have been waiting for a long time. He walked in as though he feared being seen and said in a rather low voice, “Do you have lehengas?” Now he was cluelessly inspecting three lehengas, not sure which one to choose.“First timer?” The shopkeeper asked, amused. He nodded. He wasn’t from this village but knew everyone around. He hadn’t seen this young man here before. He gathered that this man could be a traveller. “I... Yes.” “For your bride, I will suggest...” “What?” The young man looked awkward “No, no, not my...” “Sister?” “No.” “Mother?” “I... no.” “Then?” The man frowned. “Friend. Pack this one.” He promptly picked up a pink and green one without much thought “You must be from the city.” The man grumbled on his own, “Friend!” He packed the lehenga, took the money and watched the young man go. Ajabdeh ha...