Decisions

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Pratap was putting the reins on Chetak when he heard not one but two pairs of footsteps at the stable. Patta bowed with a smile, “Choti Rajkunwarisa Khamma Ghani," and he turned to see Ajabdeh being accompanied by another lady who acknowledged Patta. She looked nothing similar to Ajabdeh, except for the smile both of them shared, and she was indeed more beautiful. The gossip around the village was that she got engaged because she was prettier, and it hadn’t escaped Pratap’s ears. She looked far more timid and less confident than Ajabdeh.
“This is Pratap.” Ajabdeh flashed a smile, making him bow slightly at the lady.
“The man who tamed Chetak.” Heer smiled appreciating as Pratap looked at her, a little taken aback and at Ajabdeh, who smiled at her sister.
 “This is my sister, Heer.” Ajabdeh stared at Pratap, who immediately withdrew his eyes from her.
“Congratulations on your engagement, Rajkunwarisa.” He had smiled at Heer. “Ma’am, the horse is ready.” Ajabdeh frowned at his formality as he avoided her glance and walked back to Chetak.
“Heer, meet Chetak! Chetak, this is Heer. Say Hi.” Ajabdeh softly patted Chetak as he neighed, making Heer stare at him, shocked. “See, he neighs when I call his name.”
“Wow, Jija, I never thought he could be tamed!” Heer smiled. “I must say you did a good job, didn’t he, Jija?” Heer smiled at Pratap and back at Ajabdeh.
“Yes, he did, Heer, and I can’t thank him enough for it,” Ajabdeh spoke, stroking Chetak as Pratap stepped away, looking at the ground below his feet. “Every heart can change with a little bit of love.” Ajabdeh’s words made Heer smile as Pratap looked a little pale, and his throat felt dry.
“Rajkunwarisa, your Badal.” Patta had arrived with Badal from his stable, and Heer smiled, patting him.
“Let’s ride together, Jija. Patta, hold Badal for me, will you?” Heer smiled at Ajabdeh’s nod.
Pratap silently put the reins and saddle on Chetak, waiting for Ajabdeh to sit on him.
“Chetak?” Ajabdeh frowned as he shook his head and held Chetak’s reins. “Are we still angry about the accident? I said I am sorry...”
“No.” Came a soft reply.
“Then what is it with the Ma’am?” She frowned, imitating him as they now stood in the open meadow. He looked up at Heer, waving at Ajabdeh from Badal, in the distance. “Because she is here?” The question was met with silence. “Or people are not talking today?” She shrugged.
“Is everything fine in the palace?” She smiled at his question and narrowed her eyes “Yes and no.”
“Jija!” Heer had now instructed Patta to take her horse closer so that she could ride parallel to Ajabdeh “Your Chetak is indeed more handsome than Badal.”
“I told you!” Ajabdeh flashed a smile. “Where did you learn to ride?”
“During college days. Long back.” Heer smiled. “Umm... Pratap, is it?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He nodded with a slight smile.
“Where have you learned?”
“My father...” he stopped, “Ummm... he...”
“They have a riding school in Jodhpur. They stay there.” Ajabdeh interrupted as he glanced up at her, smiling and back at Heer.
“I see.” Heer stared back at Ajabdeh and at Pratap. “I wish to go back, Patta. The sun is too harsh today. Come, Jija.”
“You go on, I just started, I pay him for an hour, and his hour isn’t over yet,” Ajabdeh said matter-of-factly, making Pratap look away and shake his head.
“Enjoy your ride then.” Heer smiled, “Take care of my Jija, Pratap.”
“I will.” He acknowledged the princess. Ajabdeh turned to see her go.
“Let go of the reins.” She said excitedly.
“Don’t be silly, you can’t control him.” He said monotonously. “Wasn’t that day enough?”
“I can. You will see. Let go.”
“Stop being stubborn, it is risky.” He looked up at her disapproving glance.
“You are scared?” She raised eyebrows and made colour flush from his face as he looked away “Yes, I may lose my job if it repeats.” She frowned at his words.
“Chetak, stop.” He had stopped at her firm words. Ajabdeh got down from the horse and walked away, as Pratap hoped she would turn back once, in vain. He sighed, patting Chetak.

 “Will we be at the gathering today? At the temple?” Ajabdeh asked Heer, reaching her at the stable as Patta and Pratap took the horses away.
“I think so, Maasa said We will meet Guruma and seek her blessings for the engagement.” She blushed a little, making Ajabdeh stare at Pratap patting Chetak in the distance.
Ajabdeh walked up to Patta and instructed him, “There will be some guests arriving for the royal engagement. Friends, family, close ones. I want the stable to be clean and ready in case the guests want to ride.”
“Yes, Baisa Hukum, don’t worry.”
“I am off to the temple gathering with Maasa.” She eyed Pratap, who stopped patting Chetak briefly at her words before stroking him again.
 “My hour is over.” He stared at his watch and at Patta. Then nodding slightly at Heer, he left. Ajabdeh frowned, watching him go.

Meera was singing at the temple complex when Pratap sat a few feet away, staring at some children at play. The car’s engine caught his attention as he caught the first glimpse of the queen, accompanied by her two daughters. While the queen looked elegant in a saree, folding her hands and walking with dignity towards Meera, her daughters followed the younger one in a pink salwar, dupatta over her head, carrying a tray of perhaps gifts for the poor. The older one kept her distance and walked with slow, measured steps. She was in a light blue Anarkali and looked around at the crowd, searching. Eyes met as he looked away and walked away from her sight, towards the Kund. She stared at him and tapped Heer on her shoulder.
“I am not feeling too well in this heat and crowd.” She shook her head.
“Oh, Jija, you are not used to it, you want to go back?” Heer looked concerned.
“Umm... I will just take a stroll and go home. You stay here.” She eyed her mother waiting with folded hands in front of Meera as she walked away.

Pratap was on the lookout, on the other bank of the Mandakini Kund, towards the temple, as she walked up behind him, almost running into him.
She was about to speak when he looked around and back at her, alarmed.
“Why are you avoiding me?” He frowned, looking away at her words.
“I am not.” He spoke in a composed tone, “Why will I...”
“I don’t know! All I wanted was to talk...” Her eyes twinkled. He looked at her briefly, careful to move his eyes away from her and said, “It is because your family is here, and you aren’t... alone anymore. I don’t think they will approve of you being here... with me.”
“I don’t care!” She shook her head, “You know very well I...”
“But I do. I care about what people think or say, or what consequences your being here can cause.” She inhaled at his words.
“Please, Rajkunwari Ajabdeh Baisa.” He folded his hands and looked away, making her fume. “I am done entertaining you. Please spare me your antics that can land me in trouble and do the right thing.”
“The right thing?” There was a hint of amusement in Ajabdeh’s voice that made him look up at her. “And you will dictate to me what the right thing is?”
“I can suggest what is best for you.” He looked away.
“And what is that?” She frowned.
“Make friends who are worthy of your standards.” He had stepped back two steps. Carefully away from her, “I don’t deserve your friendship.” Ajabdeh watched him walk away as she suddenly felt a fit of rage run through her entire being. His words stabbed her heart more than anything else ever did.


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