The Gift

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. 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 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 had been waiting for the bike for some time now. She kept peeping out of her window, from where the stable and lawn were visible. For a moment she stood there lost in thought. The sound of the bike made her look at the back porch where it was being parked. She sneaked out, shutting her door behind her after telling the maid she would be napping. She ran towards the stable and stopped in front of the gate where he stood holding a packet. She snatched it from him in anticipation and opened the dress. Her eyes shone as she smiled “This is so pretty. I have never worn such clothes before.” She frowned seeing he was busy on the lookout for people and didn’t pay any attention to what she said.

“I am going into the barn and changing into this.” She smiled at him. “How much for it?”

“Don’t.” Pratap stopped her as she was about to take out her purse “It’s a gift.”

“A gift? What for?” She frowned.

“Just, for being my friend.” He smiled “You considered me as a friend that is...”

“Thank you then, I will take this.” He nodded without looking her way as she went away.

“How do I look?” Her words made him turn as she stood there under the sun, in the lehenga, the dupatta in her hand. “I don’t know what to do with this.” She stared at him.

“It goes around, tucked to your waist.” He showed pointing his finger.

“Here?” She asked confused.

“There.” He pointed to the opposite side, “Then it goes over your head.”

“Here.” She threw the dupatta at his face “You do it.” Pratap’s eyes widened a little as he caught the dupatta in time before it hit his face and stared at her words.

“Help me!” She shrugged. A little reluctantly, he put the dupatta over her head, covering her face, the semi-transparent veil on her face as eyes met and he looked away carefully taking the other end around her, and stopping at her waist. Her eyes didn’t leave his face as he put the corner of the dupatta in her hand and said “Here, tuck it in.”

“I can’t see anything.” She frowned making him smile amused. “Stop laughing at me.”

“How did you see that then?” He asked amused.

“I felt it.” Her eyes narrowed at his from behind the veil. “Let’s go.”

“Bike?” He asked suspiciously. “People can spot me easily.”

“What else can we do?” She shrugged “We can’t take the cars.”

“I have an idea!” He smiled as she followed him clueless. “I will be back.”

“Time for your first ride.” She turned to see Chetak coming out with him, in his reign and saddle ready to go. “Get up, I will walk him to the mela, it is not far.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!”

He taught her to put one foot up on the foot stand and sit on the saddle. She promptly held his rough hands with her soft ones for support and was on Chetak’s back. The moment Ajabdeh sat there, she felt like it was a view she had had before, perhaps in her dreams, or imagination. She smiled in anticipation as Pratap pulled his reign and he started to walk slowly.

“Let’s see how fit he is,” Pratap remarked patting his shiny skin.

In about half an hour they were at the grounds. “Listen, don’t wander here, you can get lost. Follow me.” Pratap stopped at her not paying attention to his words.

“I want to try the merry-go... Ferrier’s wheel....oh sweets... Pratap, can we have some?” He stared at her indecisiveness as he tied Chetak carefully.

“Let’s go see what is there.” He pointed at a crowd gathered for a puppet show.

“I want to see that too!” She sounded excited.

“I am sure you do.” He shook his head. “But first, take my number and give me yours, in case you do get lost.”

She promptly handed him her phone, and snatched his to type her number and save it with “Ajab.”

“Don’t you dare change it!” She warned giving his phone back “Let’s go.” He shook his head and followed.

After watching her go on the merry-go-round and taste jalebis, Pratap warned softly “Be careful, this food won’t suit your health.”

“You think I am some poor pampered princess who doesn’t have immunity!?” She frowned.

“I never said that!” He frowned “I was just warning you that...”

“Bhaiya?” They were alarmed at the familiar voice behind them. It was Patta with some of his friends grinning at them “Who is she?”

“She is... umm... Badima’s guest.”

“Ohh.” Patta looked at him with a suspicious grin “Enjoy the mela.”

“You too.” Pratap frowned as they watched him go.

It was almost four in the evening when Pratap tied a tired Chetak to his stable and gave him a pail of water. She came out of an empty stable in her usual clothes and the lehenga in her hand.

“I really enjoyed today.” She smiled.

“I am glad you did.” He smiled. “Tomorrow you can try riding Chetak with my guiding and...”

“Ummm... Pratap?” She sounded low as he turned to see her and ask with a worried “What’s wrong?”

The doctor inspected the princess in her bedroom as Chundawat, Patta, Pratap and the guards stood patiently outside the door and the maids inside.

“ I believe the water and food here aren’t suiting her.” The doctor told Chundawat “There is nothing to worry about, I have prescribed medicines, she had also vomited twice, but it is fine.”

“What did you people serve her?” Chundawat was agitated at the clueless maids. “I told you no extra oily food in her diet.”

“We should leave, call us if you need,” Patta spoke as Pratap agreed and offered him a ride back in his bike.

Once home, Meera came out on the porch to ask Pratap rather restlessly “What is wrong with her?”

“Oh nothing, I guess the heat and junk...Ummm” He stopped carefully “She is not accustomed to our food.”

“Poor thing” Meera shook her head “I hope she is fine.”

“She is don’t you worry Badima, I am hungry, give me dinner now.” His words made her smile.

After dinner, Pratap lay awake in his bed staring at the ceiling. He sighed. He was wrong. This Royal was not at all stubborn. She was so genuinely interested to be like the villagers. He smiled remembering her enthusiasm. His phone rang startling him as he grabbed it to answer quickly before Badima woke up.

“Hello?”

“How rude are you!” He checked the caller's name in the voice and frowned “You? Are you okay?”

“Yes, but you should be calling and asking me rather than me telling you, how rude of you!” Her voice was disappointed.

“But... I asked the doctor!” He sat up with a frown.

“Is the doctor in pain or me? Is he your friend or me?” She sighed.

“I was going to ask tomorrow. Why did you have to call so late?” He asked confused.

“Let it be Pratap, I will skip lessons tomorrow.”

“Okay then.”

“But you have to come! Help Patta.”

“I will.”

“Goodnight.” He heard her disconnect as he stared at the screen and sighed.

“I don’t get her at all.” He murmured to himself. Pratap lay on the bed, in the darkness, thinking about the happenings of the day and smiling to himself about it unknowingly.

Ajabdeh sat on her bed and sulked at her boredom. She searched her bag and took out the pair of earrings she had bought in the fair, careful enough not to wake up the maid waiting, outside her chambers. She went across the room, tip-toeing to the mirror and put them on. Then taking the dupatta of the lehenga from the cupboard, she placed it over her head and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Suddenly the sight of his surprised glance at her in a lehenga made her smile to herself as she stared at her own reflection. Watching herself blush, her smile faded, into a sudden fear. Ajabdeh Punwar didn’t do people, trust and relationships. She didn’t do dreams. She was firm on it. Was she changing her mind?

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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

Towards You

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were friends. He didn't feel awkward sharing his plans and thoughts with her anymore. She was more than happy to advise him on everything. She was happy he listened to her advice before taking or discarding them, be it on what to wear to Padmavati's Sagai or how to befriend the revolting Bhils. He loved the way Ajabde always used metaphors from Puranas and Ramayanas to explain the toughest things so easily. She expressed herself so well, so easily that it amazed him. The Afghans were now led by Mehmood Shah. They have made secret territories in the forests and waited to attack. Rawatji and his spies had confirmed the news and Udai Singh had warned Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. And 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. One of his aides

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 quite in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just 16 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 Si

She Left...

The war was over and so were the hopes of regaining Chittor. The Battle at Haldighati had robbed the Rana of all his wealth, and brave men, and bruised him for life. Trying to match up to Akbar or rather Raja Man Singh's army with one-third its strength had cost his bravery dearly. He had lost his friend and companion. He had brushed past death. The only good thing that this war ensured was that Akbar accepted that he cannot have Mewar. His army retreated and left the country in peace after almost two decades and seventeen wars. This war gave something else too. Kunwar Shakti came to help his brother in his time of need. He lived up to his brother's expectations of being loyal to his family. A heavy-hearted Rana Pratap Singh was overseeing the construction work on his lost friend's memorial right where he died, trying to save his master. The Bronze statue of the life-like Chetak stood tall but was no match for the void Chetak has left behind. He was lost in his thoughts as

Unpredictable

" Ohho Dadabhai! I can not walk anymore!" Shakti was panting. Clad in a commoner's attire they had hired a cart for some distance and were now walking to Bijolia. " You have to! We have to go back tomorrow morning otherwise they will be sure we were not at the Kelwara region but elsewhere." He said in an indifferent tone. The stone on the path indicated they had reached Bijolia. " There! Look Dadabhai a mandir!" He smiled. " Thik hai ." Kunwar Pratap shook his head a little displeased. " You can rest a little before going into the main township." " Paani!" Shakti was panting as he sat on a solitary part of the Radha Krishna temple as Kunwar Pratap walked in to seek blessings. At Shakti's cry for water, he started looking around and found a pond visible in the distance. " Stay here!" He ordered his brother even though he knew very well Shakti won't move from his place. He was at the bank looking at the c

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rao Ramrakh and Rawatji stopped the ongoing Raj tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhattiyani hadn't expected this son of Mewar to show up that too twenty-one days after his father's death. He was not informed as per Dheerbai's instructions. She looked at Rawat Ji. He must have gone to Raoji at Bijolia. 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 came. She could stoop down so low? " We were about to inform you..." She spoke up in her defence. " When Dheerbai ji?" Maharani Jaivanta Bai, clad in white entered the hall as people bowed before her. " After your son's coronation?" " I did nothing Badima I swear!" A low voice came from Jagmal. " Maha

The Chosen Ones

“How you see the outcome of a war often depends on whose side you are on.” The forestland of Bhilwara was dense. It was also the border between Mewar and Bundi, the most powerful states of Rajputana. The borders were being constantly patrolled by the guards of Mewar, owing to the recent win over the Afghans. Sher Shah Suri’s general had been defeated at last at Chittorgarh, the capital. But the borders in this area were never safe, especially with so many villages near it. Apart from enemies, there were looters and dacoits on the route too, who often troubled the travellers . Not far from the forestland was the Chambal basin of the Aravallis. It was a very hot summer afternoon. The guards stopped beneath a tree, tired and thirsty in search of water. Two travellers were resting there, one was an old man, who seemed to have weak limbs, and another his son, probably. “Are you looking for water, Brother?” The younger man asked. “Yes.” The soldiers were pleased with the

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in court with Rana Udai Singh. The Mughals were conquering a huge part of the north courtesy of Bairam Khan and Mewar on their routes to the ports of Gujarat. " Dajiraj we need to secure the roads leading to Agra and also towards the west. The attack-prone areas should always be under surveillance." " Yes Ranaji. Baojiraj is right." Rawatji agreed. In the Rani Mahal, everyone was preparing for a grand lunch. Ajabde was making a sweet dish for the princes and princesses and in a hurry, she forgot to add the Kesar and Badam on top. As she served the smaller princes including Kunwar Jagmal, Dheerbai came to inspect her eldest son's food. " What is this? Who made this? Kokoiaji?" She stormed to the kitchen with a bowl of sweet dishes. " Kunwaranisa did." Came a scary answer, from Veer Bai. " Ajabde Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabde walked up

The Difficulties

“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 was

Oaths

Ajabde had never realized her family was so close-knit in a unit until today. She thanked god as she watched her parents and siblings in her room with a faint smile. “ Ranaji is calling everyone to the Durbar.” Broke the family moment as faces turned grim again. She remembered his words as she veiled her face and held Ratan’s hand firmly. Rana Udai Singh was at the Durbar with a letter in hand. “Kunwar Pratap. Step forward and read this.” He looked serious. “Rawatji send this.” Kunwar Pratap did what he was told and read aloud. “ Ranaji, while patrolling the Western borders, I have come across something. There were two incidents of a sudden attack on our Sena Camps and a few soldiers were killed. We fear they are Marwar soldiers who also looted a few villages. I think they are trying to take parts of our territory this way. However, we can not charge Rao Maldeo Rathore because there is no evidence.” Kunwar Pratap frowned at the letter. “ We need to answer them D

RAABTA

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