Decisions

Pratap was putting the reign 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 timider 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 off 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 can 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 reign and saddle on Chetak waiting for Ajabdeh to sit on him.

“Chetak?” Ajabdeh frowned as he shook his head and held Chetak’s reign. “Are we angry still 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. Heer waved 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 had 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, come to 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 that 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 reign.” 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 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 stop 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 go and tapped Heer on her shoulder.

“I am not feeling too well in this heat and crowd.”

“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. “Please spare me my space and my job 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 waves through her entire being. His words stabbed her heart more than anything else ever did.

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Chapter One: Masquerades

“Reginald Dyer is yet to apologise for the incident which was criticised worldwide. Punjab is on high alert.” The transistor in the living room broke with the morning news. “On other news the League of Nations…” Meera wiped the already clean surface of the showcase for the second time while listening to it. One of the servants came around and switched the channel to a station where a Raga played. Meera tip-toed up to the transistor and looked around before lowering the volume. She was standing outside the door of the Magistrate’s home office, clad in a saree borrowed from Nimai’s mother, who worked at her Pishima’s house. “I need it for my maid back where I work.” Meera lied with a straight face. Nimai’s mother did not care; she was getting Didimoni’s beautiful blue Jamdani instead of her tattered clothes; she would not think twice about this unharming exchange. Meera tried to listen. The gardener sang outside, tending to the flowerbeds as his scissors snipped the bushes back to shape

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

Protibimbo: Characters

Before Indian Independence Movement gained its prominence and momentum in the year 1930 across Bengal with the weaponry loot by Surya Sen, attacks across the offices of British Raj in Bengal by Bengal Volunteers, Jugantar Dol and other prominent anarchists, and Binoy-Badal-Dinesh stormed into Writers' Building, the 1920s were a built up to the movement when several large and small scale anarchist groups worked underground to strike the system of British Governance. It was a time when Indians realised that conferences did not bring independence to colonies, they had to pick up arms against the British Imperialists. This story is fictional. But in its core, every character represents several hundred unnamed heroes and sheroes of our freedom struggle whose names do not appear in the pages of history. " Protibimbo " meaning reflection is a story that reflects on relationships, freedom, sacrifice and battles fought within the society of that time. Characters: Abhaya: 15-year-o

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

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

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

Chapter Two: Catastrophe

Abhaya was suffocating as she could now taste the soot and ash in her mouth. She could see the smoke engulf her. The boxes around her turned into shadows in the blurred vision. She opened her mouth to breathe but the choking air wanted to make her cough. She ran, stumbling upon some boxes and utensils towards the window on the other side. It was shut firmly and her weak hands could do little to move it an inch. She placed the end of her saree over her face and coughed, hoping not to be heard from the outside. The sound of chaos and footsteps outside was increasing. She heard a scream. Was it her mother? Her sister? Or one of the sisters-in-law? Were they escaping? Should she try too? She tried to find something to break the window with, but instead, she froze at the sight of flames entering through the cracks of the door she had shut behind her. Abhaya said a soft prayer. This is how it ends. This was not the country her father served. This was not the country her mother read stories o

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

Struggle of Thoughts

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde had both by the first week known each other's schedules well and they made sure that their timings didn't clash, be it in the puja Ghar, dressing room or elsewhere. They tried to stay out of each other's way as much as possible, giving each other the space they needed. Ajabde had learned that Kunwar Pratap preferred cold sharbat and desserts over steaming hot food, he liked to wake up with the first bird's call at dawn, he didn't like any disturbances at work or at the Dangal Sthal, and he loved his mother the most. Kunwar Pratap had learned that she was intelligent enough to decipher unsaid words between the lines of any novel, epic or book she read. She was very much into spending most of her time reading or sewing and when outside he always spotted her in the garden tending to flowers with his sisters. What he saw was how similar her lifestyle was to his mother's in a very weird way. She liked things simple, preferred to make her own

Love?

“I swear I can kill that Sakhaveer.” Balwant swung his sword at the Dangal as Ratan and Ajabde looked on. Ajabde hid a smile as Ratan looked amused. “Like you did last time?” Ratan’s chuckle made Ajabde press her hands with a soft no as Balwant stopped his sword and looked angry. “What do you know Ratan?” He roared angrily. “What do girls know anyways about fighting??” “Jija can fight better than you.” Ratan looked angry and defensive. “Ratan! Leave it.” Ajabde insisted. “No!! Jija, I saw you, you are better…” “Then let’s have a duel Jija.” Balwant insisted. “No.” Ajabde looked surprised and shaken. “It’s been such a long time since I have …” “No excuses Jija, teach him! That girls can be…” Ratan insisted as Balwant handed her a sword she took rather reluctantly. She tied the corners of her dupatta together and her braid in a bun. Kunwar Pratap was making his way out at the Dangal when he heard swords clash. He gathered the father-son duo would be at the Dangal

RAABTA

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