It's a Plan!

Meera smiled at Pratap, putting on his neatly ironed lavender shirt over a pair of black pants and combing his hair. She glanced at the watch and asked, turning her beads between her fingers, “Where are you off to?”

“Umm... Rajkuwarisa has called. For some... work?” He frowned at his own words.

“Was that a question, Pratap?” Meera seemed amused.

“No. No. It is about Chetak.” He shook his head and reached for his watch.

“I am sure it is,” Meera murmured and went back to her chanting.

Pratap’s hand stopped at the watch, and he smiled slightly. He didn’t know why the princess’s sad eyes were so haunting. It was like he felt an instant sympathetic connection to her. He had heard the villagers speak of her. Of how she was never part of her family rituals and celebrations, and how, even though she was the heiress, all her duties were carried out by her sister. Somewhere, she was alone and wanted to be appreciated. He felt that longing in her words and eyes. Pratap wanted to help her. He didn’t know why he felt like the princess needed it. Pratap checked his reflection in the mirror, took his keys and left.

Patta was returning from work, whistling his way through the village meadows, when he saw Pratap’s bike zoom past him towards the palace. He frowned at it for some time and made his way home whistling again.

Ajabdeh Punwar had unlocked her childhood bedroom. She planned to shift there for the last week of her stay and was inspecting the cleaning by the maids. On the wall were pictures of her and her parents. When the maid took out some old copies and books to put them in a box, she stopped them with a hand gesture. Putting a handkerchief over her face, she sat down on the floor, not caring about her pants or the top, tying her hair up, as she explored the old copies. Some of them even had drawings of animals, trees, and people. None like the ones she had found in the attic. But she was now sure that the drawings were indeed hers.

It was only when she heard the noise of a familiar bike that her eyes fell on the clock. She had totally forgotten about Pratap coming over.

“Rama, is there anything I can wear around here?” She asked, scrutinising her clothes. Rama had just come up to inform them that Pratap Singh was here to see her.

“I can check Choti Rajkumarisa’s room if there is anything...”

“I will come with you.” She agreed. Knowing Heer the little that she did, she was sure Heer would be too happy knowing she wore her clothes. Heer always tried her best to be warm to her sister. Ajabdeh felt it was perhaps the lack of warmth on her part that they weren’t close.

Ajabdeh selected a white ankle-length Indo-western dress and teamed it up with an anklet she found in her jewellery box. Letting go of her strands that beautifully complemented her highlights, she wore some kajal and mascara and stared at the clock.

Pratap was bored with the designs on the carpet he was tapping his feet on. He had by now counted the stairs, the number of statues there were in the hallway, examined the swords that were on display and stared at the clock thrice. It was half an hour, and he was running out of patience.

“Sorry.” Her words made him look up as she descended the staircase, slowly and gracefully, and shook her head. “I totally forgot I invited you and...”

“That is fine...” Pratap felt awkward at her words. He should have listened to his mind and not come in the first place. Maybe she was just being polite for his help the other day. “I will leave.”

“No, no, no!” His eyes widened a little as her voice echoed in the empty hall. “Please, sit.” She had clapped her hands for the nearest maid and asked for tea. He sat down where he was sitting, and she sat opposite him, eyeing his empty wrist with an amused smile. He realised so and was awkward, hiding his wrist in the sleeves of his shirt quickly.

“So, tell me, how is Meera Ma? And your father?” She watched him stare at his shoes and then at the carpet.

“They are fine.” He had briefly lifted his head and stared at her.

“And your job?” She narrowed her eyes.

“I... think I lost it.” He shrugged.

She shook her head and smiled. “Send me your resume; I will take a look at it.”

“I... Thank you, but... I really don’t want a favour, and besides, I don’t know when I will be at all able to go back to any city. Badima...”

“So you will stay here and look after Chetak for the rest of your life?” She frowned. “You'd better find another alternative at least.”

“I am working on that.” He was honest in his answer. “But Badimaasa is a priority. I can’t leave her again. And I am not able to give her any solid grounds to come with me.”

“Why did you leave the first time?” She frowned.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged.

“I am glad I am not the only one who doesn’t know.” She smiled.

“Well, the rumours around here, I can tell you.” He offered the tea as it arrived.

“Shoot! Tell me.” She had handed him a cup.

“Some of the villagers believe you were spooked by some ghost.” His monotonous voice made Ajabdeh laugh. Her laughter rang through the empty hall, and he stared at her with an equally amused smile.

“What else?” She shrugged.

“Better lifestyle?” He narrowed his eyes suggestively “Can be.” Ajabdeh thought, “Am I not glad that I will go back, or what!!” She sighed. “Back to the city and my life.”

“Won’t you miss home?” He asked almost like a reflex.

“This is not my home, Pratap.” Her voice was firm, and he immediately regretted speaking. “I am sorry I...”

“Ooh! Don’t be so formal!” She shrugged it off. “I have no home. But let me tell you a secret.” She almost whispered, “I will surely miss some things here.”

“Like?”

“Chetak. He is the only attachment I made here.” She said reflexively, making him stare at her, “I guess Chetak will miss you, too.” He smiled as she stared at him and tilted her head “Tell me, if you ever go to Udaipur, will you meet me?”

“Will you remember me?” He smiled faintly.

“Of course, I will.” She frowned “You are the only friend I made here.” Somehow, she could feel her words were not convincing enough for him.

“I don’t think I plan to visit Udaipur soon.” He said matter-of-factly.

“Well, if and when I visit Jodhpur, I will surely contact you.” She smiled. “I can visit your riding school, maybe.”

“You will be most welcome, Ma’am.”

“Ajabdeh.”

“Pardon?”

“It is Ajabdeh. Not, Ma’am.” She looked at his reluctant face with a chuckle. “God forbid, Pratap, no one will kill you if you take my name!”

“I am not convinced about that here.” His serious tone made her chuckle again.

“You are scared!”

“No, I am not.”

“Yes, you are.”

 She stopped smiling, watching him stare at her, confused as she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing.” He shook his head, but the frown didn’t leave his face “I just felt like I had had this conversation before.”

“Huh?” She looked clueless and said, “Maybe you need an appointment with my psychiatrist; he is good.”

He stared at her, narrowing his eyes when she said, “So tell me, what’s in Jodhpur?”

“The fort is wonderful and the museum...”

“No, no, I mean, what is there for you? Like... in Udaipur, I have my social work, Nanosa’s memories, a house, the business...” She stopped at his stare.

“No people to go back to?” He asked a little reluctantly. She smiled faintly. “I don’t do people, Pratap; that is not me. What about you? Someone to go back to in Jodhpur, apart from your dad?” She saw his awkward face as he shook his head with a short “No.” Before sipping his tea.

“I... never had many people in my life as well.” He stared at her between sips. Ajabdeh offered him the snacks on the plate, which he politely refused.

“You kept your word and came here, so thank you.” She smiled.

“Why don’t you... umm... visit Meera ma?” He said, sipping his tea and keeping the cup noiselessly. “At home?”

“She keeps telling me not to leave so soon, and I can’t tell you why...But I feel like listening to her.” She shrugged.

“Then don’t leave.” His words made her look up. “Your sister will be getting married, I heard. And Chundawat said they are coming next week; meet them.”

“And what will I say, Pratap?” She asked with a frown. “Why am I here?”

“Badima said you shouldn’t have to explain why you came home.” He smiled. “Just say you are here.”

“They won’t understand, Pratap. Besides, once they arrive, I will barely be able to breathe on my own without permission. I am free now, doing things my way, chatting here with you... Once they arrive, I...” She stopped as their eyes met briefly.

“They are your family. I am sure talking will help you. And who knows, you can leave with a home in your heart this time, right?” He smiled reassuringly. Ajabdeh nodded.

“If I do that, do you promise to take me to the fair?” Her words made him frown.

“What fair?”

“The fair Patta was talking of in the morning.” His eyes widened at her words.

“No, no! That is too risky!” He got up as she stood up before him. “Five villages come together there, and if you are mobbed or something.”

“We will go in disguise, and no one will know me.” Before he knew it, she was blocking his way “Please, Pratap!”

“I feel you befriended me only to land me in trouble.” He sighed at her amused glance. “Come on now!” Ajabdeh shrugged. “Be a sport; you know I can’t ask anyone else here.”

“Why there?” He asked cluelessly.

“Because I want to taste the village life before I go. I want to see it. Have rides, have street food.” Her eyes sparkled. “Buy cheap stuff from there.”

“And how do you plan on the disguise?” He asked, crossing his arms with a sigh.

“Simple! You arrange for a lehenga and we...”

“Wait a minute.” He shook his head. “I will arrange for a LEHENGA? Are you out of your mind? Where will I get a lehenga?” He frowned.

“Buy it, big deal!” She shrugged.

“But the whole village will know I bought a lehenga, and Badima will ask me why.” He looked confused.

“Say it is for me!” She said with a shrug.

“No! NO! I can’t do that.” He shook his head.

“Why?” She frowned.

“Because she will think...” he stopped at her clueless stare, "I...”

“Okay, done. Come with the lehenga tomorrow around noon, and we will go on your bike.” She was firm.

“I didn’t agree to this.” He said softly. “And you can’t order me, because you said I am your friend.”

“Yes! You didn’t deny either.” She giggled. Before Pratap could say anything, he saw her smile in excitement and say, “Thank you, you know what, Pratap? I haven’t been this happy and felt this free in a long, long time.” How could he say no after this, but buy a lehenga? He gulped.