Skip to main content

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?



READ ALL CHAPTERS HERE
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Of Faith and Fate

Series Announcement! Historical Fictions are special, so here is one, short but special tale close to my heart after a really long time! This story is a special one because it is completely historical fiction with very little connection to the fan fiction I have written previously. However, I have maintained the sequence of events, reading history books on the context.  This is not a story of a man and a woman, their love and trust. This one is about the tests time often puts people through, forcing them to change. My protagonists in this one are hence, two princesses of the same age. Ajabdeh Punwar or Ajbante Kanwar Baisa, as she is locally called is the princess of a very significant district of Bijolia in Mewar. Bijolia lies in the seat of political events, at the border of Bundi and Mewar. Having her lineage from the mighty Chauhans, her forefathers once ruled Mewar. Her father is an officer in the army of Mewar under Rana Udai Singh and she is a lady of princip...
Post a Comment
Read More

Preparation

It has been a tradition since time immemorial in the face of the earth that the men marched to war, seeking glory for their states and kings, adorning their bodies with bruises no less gaudy than the most precious gems of the land, while the women waited and prayed for their safe return. No war was easy or certain. At least that is what they grew up learning. But does it stop the war? Or the need for power? Absolutely not. The royal blood demands shedding it. Kumar Viraj could have left Maanwari as a child but Maanwari had not left his veins. That was perhaps why he was braver and more skilful than men his age. When Adhiraja Ishaan Dev offered him Neelambargarh’s mighty troops to capture Maanwari, he knew they would surely outnumber his uncle’s one by hundreds. But he made sure he refused Adhiraja's personal help. Battles made Ishaan Dev’s adrenaline rush. He wanted to lead Kumar Viraj to victory. But when Kumar Viraj said that it would only demean his claim to be ready for the thr...
Post a Comment
Read More

Eternally Yours

Ajabde woke up to find neither the pillow nor the husband beside her. That was really unusual. Has she overslept? No, it was dark and the first birds were singing. She sat up to find that he had neatly arranged the pillows and made his side of the bed and put his blanket over her. She checked the changing room. No, he was not there, but unlike other days his clothes were not in a mess. She freshened up and reached the dressing table. His brooch was not there. Where is he? Has the war... Her heart skipped a beat. What if he had left and not even woken her up? " Daasi? Daasi?" She called as one of them walked in. " Ji Kuwaranisa?" " Where is Kunwarsa?" " He left early in the morning for Dangal and then a visit to the village. Do you need anything?" " No, You may go now." She put on the sindoor in a worry. Maybe something urgent has come up. She walked to the Puja room and was shocked. Her garlands were made, the Chandan was in place and ...
7 comments
Read More

Sadh Puron

  Rasmo ka mela yaha pe khel rahe hai saare Aaja shamil ho isme zara thoda muskura de Seven months into her pregnancy, Bondita realised, almost to her amusement, that there were certain prejudices that even Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury gave in to. Ever since Koeli arrived, to help her out, as instructed by Kakababu, to her utter surprise Aniruddha gave in to Koeli putting a kajal tika behind her ear every time she stepped out, to avoid bad omens. He even willingly gave up the bedroom at one phone call from Trilochan insisting that the woman needs her space during her pregnancy. He ended up having a makeshift mattress as a bed, in the middle of the living room in the apartment, and he was more than willing to sleep there while Koeli stayed with Bondita. Although she liked to have the entire bed to herself, she sometimes missed their pillow talks. Aniruddha also made sure the household never ran out of supplies of pickles and sweets. Koeli didn’t lose a turn to tease Bondita about how th...
Post a Comment
Read More

The New Capital

“Some dreams are once broken often come back as haunting nightmares.” The Padishah Begum received the news of the birth of a baby boy to Harka Bai at Sikri. She had arranged for a feast and celebration at Lahore and thanked the Almighty herself for this happiness. She prayed that the boy was safe. Hamida Banu had herself sent a messenger to the Padishah Begum at Lahore. The ladies celebrated for a week. The Padishah Begum had given away coins, and clothes to the needy and new clothes to the kin. The Emperor was on his way to Sikri as well. She had smiled at the happy faces savouring the wine and sweet dishes. She greeted and congratulated everyone around the Harem. The Timurid blood would be safe on the throne.   Jalal had visited once in the past few months, giving her the good news of Harka Bai conceiving again. He feared that people were conspiring at Agra. Hence, Harka Bai’s firstborns died, unnaturally. Ridiculous rumours were spread, about the Emperor killing his o...
Post a Comment
Read More

What If...

Ajabdeh, played all night with the newfound puppy who was already keeping her on her toes. First, he jumps into the trolley bags and inspected her clothes, alarming Heer and making her laugh. He had fallen in love with a pink lingerie Ajabdeh tied to his head like a bow, laughing harder as he tried to open it, going in rounds. Heer saw her carefree laughter with a smile. She may not like the guy, but he did make her sister laugh. Heer shook her head. Something in her felt really awkward as she cleared her throat to ask "Jija??" "Hmm?" "Do you... umm... like Kunwar Pratap?" Heer looked scared to ask. "What?" She frowned and then smiled as the puppy licked her face. "Of course I like him! He is a friend." "Jija I meant..." "Good night Heeriye." She hugged her sister then picked the pup up and snuggled in her blanket as Heer stood watching. "Let's name you baby?" She heard Ajabdeh talk. "Umm...
Post a Comment
Read More

Understandings

After counting days, Ajabde was happy that she was going to Bijolia. She knew how eager her mother and Ratan would be to know about her new life. She couldn't wait to hug her mother and feel like... Home. She was selecting gifts for her parents and her siblings as per Ranima's instructions. Then suddenly an idea struck her mind. Her new family welcomed her with so much love and support. Especially Ranima and Majhli Maa Sa. She wanted to give them something. Suddenly she remembered that Ranima had loved her embroidery work on dupattas back in Bijolia so she called a Dasi and ordered some plain Chunris and embroidery threads. She had a lot of work to finish in a day before leaving.   Kunwar Pratap came back into the room to see her on the floor, right in the middle of the room with red, green, yellow, and pink all sorts of dupattas scattered. " What's all this?" He asked not sure if he should be asking. " I am making gifts. For Ranima, Majhli ma, Rani Dheer Bai...
2 comments
Read More

Neelambargarh

  The fort of Neelambargarh was named so because it stood on a cliff above the low-lying plains surrounding it as if it was ready to touch the sky. The fort was surrounded by hilly forestland on three sides and extensive plain lands used for agriculture on another. The road winding up to Neelambargarh was guarded by three gateways and a secret tunnel, known only to the Neelambargarh royal family, led down from the five-storey palace to the river in the forestland. The kingdom of Neelambargarh was known across the land beyond the Heemdevi Mountains for its art and architecture. True indeed, like the myths it held, the stone walls of the fort and the castles shone in the sun like fire swayed by the wind. The gateways had extensive architecture and tales of Neelambargarh’s rich past and kings, engraved in stones, alongside nymphs and the several forms of their chief deity, The Wind, and his tales of miracles. Above the gate in local scriptures was poetry written in honour of the past ...
Post a Comment
Read More

Patralekha

Mujhse ye rishta jo, aa usse hai sawaare Chal sayane se thoda nadan bann ja tu Ashapurna walked out of the room with questioning eyes as Somnath shook his head. He had called Aniruddha as soon as Bondita complained of pain and uneasiness. He was already off to court and his house owner had reassured him that the news would reach him soon. He was supposed to come with the allopathic doctor. “I think it is time.” Ashapurna almost whispered to Somnath as Koeli rushed in with wet towels to comfort Bondita who appeared in a lot of pain. “Talk to Jetha Shoshur Moshai, please.” Somnath nodded and rushed downstairs where Batuk paced the room as Trilochan and Binoy sat on the couch. Ashapurna’s mother had taken Ashutosh with her for the day as soon as she heard.  “What do we do now?” Somnath broke the silence. “She was not due so soon.” Batuk frowned as his uncle gave him a disapproving stare making him stop. “Som, go and call Dai.” He insisted as Somnath remained frozen in his place. “We c...
Post a Comment
Read More

Trouble In Paradise

Kyun na jaane teri chinta ho rahi hai mujhe Har ghadi ab kyun hai dhyan tera. "Eyes on the road." Aniruddha scolded almost in a reflex, putting his right hand vigilantly over the steering wheel. Bondita's painted hands were on the wheel but her eyes kept wandering to the cattle on either side of the road. "You can't be distracted while driving. You will kill someone." He said in a rather monotonous voice. His hand didn't leave the steering wheel nor did his eyes leave the road. But he made sure instinctively that his hands stayed furthest away from her touch. Bondita breathed in as the morning breeze hit her face. She had removed the saree from over her head when they had stopped by the road to exchange places.  "If you push the car into a tree again, it's your last lesson." He had warned while she giggled.  Bondita couldn't tell Aniruddha why she was distracted the last time. It was almost dusk and while he instructed her on the wheel,...
Post a Comment
Read More