Skip to main content

Memories

Image
By
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 insisted, “I am hungry.”
“Where did the kheer go?” He smiled, amused, eyeing her in the side view mirror.
He felt a soft slap of her hand, where she held his shoulder. He stopped at a fairly empty Dhaba and parked his bike. She got down to look around and walked to an empty table.
“Ghani Khamma.” A boy smiled at them “What do you want?”
“What do you have?” She asked, smiling as Pratap placed down the keys and helmet on the table and sat across from her.
“Lunch thali, rice, roti, Gatte ki sabzi, Kadi khichdi, Mawa khichdi, laal maas, ghevar, dilkhush, gujia...”
“Too many options.” Ajabdeh shrugged, staring at Pratap.
“Bring two lunch thalis.” He smiled at the boy watching him go. “You are sure you can have this without fainting and vomiting?” He stared at Ajabdeh, who frowned.
“I am just making sure....” He shrugged as the wonderful aroma of food filled the air, and the boy placed two steel dishes full of food in front of them.
“Dig in!!” She said, using her hand on the roti as he followed.
A group of musicians soon arrived at the Dhaba, making Ajabdeh stare at them eagerly.
“These people are usually very poor; they travel from place to place, with their families, the men sing, the women dance, and they earn free food with entertainment.” He stopped as Ajabdeh stared longingly at them, setting up their mats.
“I wish I lived like that.” She said almost in a reflex. “With nothing to hold me back yet.... having everything.”
“You have no idea how tough their lives are.” He shrugged at her innocence.
“I feel, nothing is hard, as long as the people who matter are with you. In the journey.” He looked at her walk up to them as he followed.
“I think if we are done here, we should...”
“Stay and listen to them sing.” She made him stare at her smile. “We can for some time at least.”
“We can.” He agreed and watched her smile and stand at a corner, a little away from the newly gathered crowd of onlookers.

Luk Chipp na Javo ji, manne deed karavoji, Pratap stepped up beside Ajabdeh in a corner of the crowd, carefully placing him between the crowd of onlookers and her, as she almost danced to the beats, Aree Kyun tarsavey ho, manne Sakal dikhav ji. He had never seen Ajabdeh smile so content. It made him smile as she stared back at him. Thaari Shararat sab jaanu main Chaudhari, Mahaarey se levo na pangaaji main kehan lagi. She smiled back as he removed his eyes from her and to the dancing women and girls. One of them was pulling people from the crowd to join them, and she came up to him. He shook his head, making Ajabdeh frown. Maahrey hivdhey mein jaagi dhaunkani, Rae chandaa main thaari chandni he saw Ajabdeh readily go with the girl, as he stared a little wide-eyed, smiling, amused as she tried in vain to match steps with them. Maney daaman mein baandhi khusi, Rae jhoom, jhoom, jhoom jhoom baa jhoomi!
“You had no idea what you were doing, right?” He smiled, amused as she handed the girl some money.
“But it was fun, why didn’t you join?” She asked, shrugging.
“Because it makes me self-conscious.” He shrugged.
She frowned at his words and said, “Let’s go.”
“Where to, now?” He asked.
“I chose the Dhaba, your turn.” She shrugged.
Pratap smiled. He knew exactly where he could take her.

“This is beautiful.” She stood looking up at the waterfalls in awe. “In the middle of the jungle! I didn’t know such a place existed.” The pool at the foot of the waterfall gave way to a narrow stream, and on the other bank were two swans, frolicking.
“Neither did I," He shrugged “Patta told me a legend, and I asked him where this was.”
“Legend?” She sat down on a rock with her feet dangling in the cool water of the stream.
“Yes.” He came to sit on the rock beside her, but she shifted a little, making enough space for him. “Of a hero in disguise who saved the villagers from bad people; someone by the name Sakhaveer.”
“Superhero!” She smiled. “And?”
“He used to meet his partner here. She was a warrior in disguise, too. Baijilal.”
“Sounds like too good a plot to be true.” She frowned, “Although I wish I could do something like that!”
“Save people in disguise?” he frowned, surprised.
“No, meet someone like that.” She stared at the waterfalls, “In disguise.”
“Excuse me?” he stared at her with a hint of disbelief in his voice “What exactly is the princess of Surajgarh doing now?”

She stared back at him, realising what he said, and her eyebrows arched up with a little hint of amusement. “Oh. Oh.” She smiled, amused, and chuckled at herself as he shook his head and smiled, watching her laugh at herself. She stopped laughing, watching him stare, and her smile slowly faded into a blush. At that moment, Pratap looked away, at the waters.
“But I didn’t get you a thank-you gift for all the efforts here.” He said. “This is perhaps the most memorable birthday I will ever have.”
“How are you so sure?” She frowned “The next can be better.”
“I don’t think so.” He shrugged. “So tell me what I can do for you as a return gift?”
Ajabdeh stared at him with a twinkle in her eyes that made him suddenly aware of some impending danger.
“Dance with me.” She said. “Let me see how conscious you are.”
“What?” He frowned, “No. I ...” She held him by the wrist in an attempt to pull him up and failed to make him move an inch from his place. “Come on... “ She sulked “Be a sport.” She poked suddenly at his waist, making him jump up at the ticklish feeling as she chuckled.
“What are you doing?” He frowned, “I can’t dance!”
“Let me teach you then!” She said, “It is very easy.” She insisted on facing him, holding both his arms, putting one on her waist.

Almost like a reflex as his hand touched her bare skin, Pratap moved it away and stepped back. She frowned at him. “Come on. Can’t you just let go, for one day, for me?” Her words made his heart beat faster. He could, perhaps. He could take this day, each and every moment, and turn them into lifelong memories. He nodded, much to her surprise, giving her his hand. Ajabdeh took it firmly, with a smile lingering on her lips.
“But music?” He smiled slightly as she shook her head.
“Pratap Singh!” She suddenly came closer, making his smile fade “ You hear the sound of the water... And here.” She took his hand in hers and pressed his palm against the fast beats of his own heart, thumping in his chest. “That’s our music.”

“I will teach you how to dance also.” She clapped her hands as he frowned at her words.
“I don’t like that, it is girly.” He snapped. “And you said we can play.”
“We can play, ride, and dance.” She smiled, “Now that we are friends, we have all the time in the world.”
“We have?” he asked, surprised.
“Of course. I will see you the day after tomorrow once the swing is ready.” He had nodded at her hopeful smile.

Ajabdeh's eyes smiled at his. She stepped back, making him step forward, smiling, and covering the distance between them, and his eyes were not hesitant to meet hers. His cold fingers touched her smooth, bare waist, as they trembled a little perhaps against her skin, making her shudder. So she grabbed his hands, in hers, perhaps to ease the hesitance in his conscience. She twirled, holding his hand, and he pulled her back, towards him, their eyes twinkling. He had stepped back, giving her both his hands, as she took them firmly, and then held his collar, as he put his hand back on her waist, a little more confidently. Ajabdeh could feel his breath on her skin. Her cheeks reacted with sudden warmth. Pratap could smell the lavender shampoo on her hair now. It made him breathe heavily, made him want to hold on to the feeling and her. He dreaded his own thoughts. All of a sudden, he had realised they were so closely entwined that an onlooker would think they were in an embrace. Ajabdeh’s eyes twinkled as he stared at them. He had suddenly let go of her hand, making her stare as he turned with his back to her and stopped. She held him back by his wrist, coming closer, with a faint smile. He half turned to her and looked into her eyes, scared, if he stayed here a minute longer, it would make him weak, it would perhaps make him say and do things he would end up regretting. She read his fears like her own, perhaps, as gently she let go of his wrist.
“We should...” He cleared his throat. “We should... go back?” His voice was hoarse and a little rough, and she stared at him as he repeated, “Let’s go back.” More firmly making her smile. She had expected this.
“Okay.” Ajabdeh agreed to watch him hurry to his bike and hold the helmet out for her. She took it and sat all the way back to the back gate of the palace, in silence, holding his shoulders firmly.




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

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

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

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