A Call to Make

"Nandini?" Ajabdeh sounded alarmed at the phone call. "Are you alright?" She asked.

"I am. I called to congratulate you. And also … we are planning a family. I wanted a child, so Laura and I decided to get a donor. I have conceived."

"Wow." Ajabdeh sank back in her chair. "That's great. Congratulations."

"So what's up with you?" Nandini queried.

"The business is slowly making up for the losses and …"

"No, no." Nandini interrupted. "I heard about you and Dadabhai." She sounded excited. "Congratulations."

"Oh." Ajabdeh sounded awkward "Thank you."

"Honestly, I knew it the moment I saw you two together." She gushed at a much surprised Ajabdeh. "Oh, he held your hand and whisked you away when we were escaping. It was so romantic."

"We were helping you." Ajabdeh reminded her rather plainly.

"Yes, and then you fell in love."

Ajabdeh's heart skipped a beat at the word. A lot has been happening that day. She had just spent the morning at a doctor's clinic that was bigger than her old apartment. For the first time, she had lied to Pratap about her plans for the day. The man had asked her rather uncomfortable questions about her sex life, or rather the lack of it, in front of Sajja. She knew all the information would travel back to Jaivanta. The doctor wrote down some tests that were run, and the results would arrive in the evening.

As little as she cared about it all, Ajabdeh felt anxious. She hoped everything was fine with her. Not that she ever wanted to indulge in their ideas. But it's been ages since she had ever thought of her own health or functionality. Her periods were timely, and that was just about it.

"Nandini, I am at work. Can I call you back?" She tried hard to shake off her sudden feeling of overwhelm.

"I actually needed you." She said, "I told my parents that I was pregnant. I think they are ready to accept us back."

"That's…"

"They will also host a proper reception for us. Will you do it for me?" Ajabdeh wanted to refuse. She had no will to face his aunt or their drama.

"My mom will talk to Badi Mausi if you want…"

"No, that's not needed. Let me know the date, and I will see what I can do." She said politely.

She sat down at work and couldn't concentrate. She felt like she had deceived Pratap that day. In some way or the other, talking about their private life behind his back, even if it's about the lack of it, to a professional seemed like a violation of trust. There was nobody she could talk to about it. Nobody who would understand her justification for staying out of trouble with Jaivanta would mean lying to Pratap. Right now, she was willing to choose that for her peace of mind. She knew Pratap would react if he learnt about his mother's intrusions. He would shout and accuse, and disrupt the peace of the house. She would furthermore lose the little connection she made with Jaivanta. She couldn't get the two years' time out of her head.

Jaivanta had called them to her chambers. Ajabdeh received her test results, which were normal, and felt relieved. Especially under the scrutiny, she would have faced if she were not physically fit. However, when Jaivanta summoned them, she thought she was going to discuss the results with Pratap. She waited for Pratap to arrive back home late that night and informed him. He dropped his things and strolled to her study, followed by Ajabdeh in tow.

Jaivanta was waiting for them. In her nightgown, perhaps made of the finest silk Ajabdeh had seen, she removed her reading glasses and looked up at her son.

"Did you just come from your office?" She gave him a disapproving glance.

"It's late. I didn't want you to wait for me." He explained. "You wanted to talk about something?"

"Oh yes." Jaivanta looked past him at Ajabdeh, which made her heart skip a beat. "Do sit down."

"No, we are fine." He spoke, "Tell me. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is just fine." She nodded, "Your Mausi called me to inform me that Nandini is expecting a child." She said, almost disgusted, "Now god knows whose."

"It's a doner." It was Ajabdeh who spoke out of turn, making Jaivanta stare at her. "It's a method where the donor… umm… donates the sperm…. Like in the case of IVF or surrogacy, there are... different methods..."

"How dare you speak of such things in front of your mother-in-law?" Jaivanta's scolding almost shocked Ajabdeh. She narrowed her eyes. A week ago, this lady was dictating to her when to conceive, and now she is embarrassed to discuss the methods with her. Ajabdeh stopped. Pratap looked like he had lost his patience.

"So?" He asked, hoping Jaivanta would come straight to the point. "So she wants Ajabdeh to do a reception event, and I said yes."

Pratap looked a bit disappointed at his mother's choice of words.

"It's her professional matter and choice, what she wants to do." Ajabdeh was glad that he spoke for her, though she didn't approve of his tone.

"This is a family matter. That's my sister. She can't refuse…"

"She can refuse whoever she wants to. Especially someone who broke into her office." Jaivanta's lips trembled a little at Pratap's words. This was getting out of hand.

"It's okay. I talked to Nandini." Ajabdeh said, hoping to defuse the situation, "I told her to send in the dates."

"Good. She has clearly more senses on this than you." Jaivanta spoke. "Also, I decided that Ajabdeh needs a proper introduction into the society as a member of the Sisodiya house." Pratap was quiet, but Ajabdeh felt conscious. She remembered all the gossip that was talked of about her.

"So I proposed a social marriage of you two to Udai. He thinks it's a good idea, too."

"There is no need for anything of that sort." Pratap protested, "What matters is the legal one and…"

" You don't decide that." Jaivanta snapped. "To live in a society, one must follow certain rules. She can't go about without vermilion, and you with your theories all your life."

"I am not participating in a circus wedding to show off to random people that we are already married." He retorted.

"Okay." Jaivanta looked calm. She knew that she needed to get this done. "But you need to do this so that you can start a normal married life. After Nandini's reception, you and Ajabdeh choose what you want to keep and omit, but some rituals need to be done. I don't want an argument on that." She looked at Ajabdeh "We can always reach a middle ground." She nodded.

Back in the room, Pratap looked cross. Whether it was because he was against them marrying for a show-off or about them being married socially, she couldn't tell. Ajabdeh waited a while for him to start a conversation as he went about his routine, then walked through the connecting door to his coffee machines. He stopped putting his wet towel on the bed the moment he realised she was in his room.

"I thought of something for Nandini." She said. Pratap expected her to talk about their expected social wedding instead. But then this was Ajabdeh being herself.

"Is that so?" He asked. "What is that?"

"We can plan our first event at Bijoliya mansion with that one." Her eyes sparkled. "The place holds memories for them, and it is a family occasion for close ones, so the Mansion would have a more personal touch. Don't you think?" She managed to make him smile.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked, taking the coffee from her hand. "Is this a business idea or an emotional one?"

"What makes you ask this?" She looked surprised.

"Well, if it's a business idea, it's a brilliant one. If it's an emotional idea, I am honestly surprised at something so romantic coming from you." There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Let's stick with the business idea, then. I like to believe I am brilliant." She smiled. He smiled in agreement.

Sibling's Day

Shakti always had a very strict sibling equation with Pratap. Though they were only two years apart, the siblings had very different tastes and preferences. For Shakti, Pratap's disciplined and well-planned life looked like he was missing out on a lot of things. He sometimes didn't even approve of how impulsive Pratap was when he was emotional. Shakti, on the other hand, prioritised experiences over plans. He never found a need to feel deeply for anything the way Pratap did, and over the years, mostly in Pratap's absence from the family, he had managed to find a way with his parents. But he didn't really have any other elder sibling figure. All his cousins' sisters were close to him and younger. But with Ajabdeh, he had developed this very strong connection over the past few weeks. As a child, Shakti's playmate in the house used to be Sajja, while his father worked, his mother ran NGOs, and Pratap was always found with his head in a book. Ajabdeh was up for an...

My Everything

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...

Purnota: Chapter Forty Four

Aniruddha tapped his black loafers on the Italian marble floor of the entrance as he eyed his watch. It was almost half past five. He checked himself in the full-size mirror beside the coat hanger, looking fresh as he shaved and bathed, set his hair, chose a white summer blazer over his black shirt and trousers and abandoned the idea of a tie. He cleaned his glasses with the handkerchief, contemplating whether he should knock at Asha’s door, telling Bondita to hurry. He wondered what the women were doing there for such a long time. He could hear them giggling and gossiping as he walked past the room. He wondered what huge deal a party was that a woman needed another to help her dress up. He took out his phone and wondered if he should call her downstairs instead to avoid the awkwardness of knocking on the door. It was then that Aniruddha heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up in a reflex. He would give her a piece of his mind for wasting precious moments, especially when they...

AAYA TERE DAR PAR DEEWANA

Pratap was outside the gates of Meera Girls College in Udaipur by the next afternoon, unsure of whether to go in and ask for her. He spotted a few girls walking out, and one of them kept staring at him suspiciously before approaching him. He stood in his spot, still awkward as she asked, “Aren’t you that ASI guy that Roshni met?” “I… what?” Pratap narrowed his eyes “I am sorry, I don’t remember you.” “I am Mahek.” The girl waved her hand and smiled, “I was with her at Chawand.” “Oh, I see.” Pratap sighed. “I found some information that might help her …err… project.” He stopped at Mahek’s suspicious frown. “So I thought…” “You came all the way here to give her some information about her project?” Pratap cursed himself inwardly. Indeed, that sounded lame when she repeated it. “Why didn’t you call her?” “I…” He cleared his throat “I lost her number, so… I was hoping that she would be interested in an on-field internship…” “Oh, wait, I will give you her number. But she isn’t here, and I do...

Purnota: Chapter Forty Five

Aniruddha stared at the clock on his chamber wall for the third time and verified its working condition by checking it with his watch. He had asked Bondita to come to his chambers at six. It was almost six-ten and there was no sign of her. The peon he had sent to call her in had also left. He wondered if she had gone home earlier than usual. But then would she not have informed him? He eyed the partnership deed he had prepared to be signed, going through the terms one last time before he decided to go downstairs and see where she was for himself. As soon as Aniruddha got up, taking the coat from behind his chair to go, gathering the paperwork of the deed, a knock resonated on the door as he straightened his glasses and found his most professional voice to ask her to come in. Bondita looked a little breathless as though she had run up the stairs and apologised in a hurry, “Sorry, sorry… Meghna had some issues with her computer.” “There is a tech guy for that.” He narrowed his brows slig...

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabdeh looked visibly displeased at the ladies who ran around. " They are at the fort gates, and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red lehenga and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maasa Maasa... 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., " Ajabdeh." 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!" ...

The Adventure of PI Ved: The Case in London

There is something funny about the phrase “as dead as a doornail.” Why? Because I am dead and I don’t look like a nail of any sort. I lie on my living room carpet, hands stretched out, the knife stuck to my back...such a backstabber. I hated them all my life! And what is the purpose of killing me? It is not like I would have lived much longer, I was eighty-five, for God’s sake! I lay here, the blood turning thick as I stared at the painting on the wall. It is such a hideous painting. I bought it for so much money, I was duped. I am waiting for the morning when my caregiver arrives to discover me on the floor. But I feel they are still around, looking for something. Searching every room. It is around 7 AM that she rings the bell. She bangs the door. She yells out, “Mr Smith!” Oh no, she is going back. Come back here, you fool! The criminal must still be upstairs. I hear them come down the wooden staircase and exit from the back door. Now the useless caregiver lady is back. Oh, she ...

Purnota: Chapter Forty Three

Trilochon and Kalindi were having tea in the morning in their living room when Binoy walked downstairs in his Pajama Panjabi, pipe in hand and found them. Watching him unusually in his home attire, Trilochon frowned. “Are you sick? I thought you had already left.” Binoy sat down on the single chaise chair beside the couch as Kalindi poured some tea for him. “ I told you, Dada, I am here to retire.” He said, putting his pipe in his pocket. “Today, Som is going alone. We will see how that goes.” Their conversation was interrupted by Asha coming into the house in a white and red saree, with a red sindoor Teep on her forehead. She had a basket with her, and Koeli was accompanying her as she offered them the sweets she had taken as Prasad. “Since it’s his first day at the new position, we went to the temple together.” Asha narrated to Kalindi. “He left for work from there.” “Do you not have school today?” Kalindi enquired as Asha shook her head. She smiled, eyeing Trilochon, who narra...

Purnota: Epilogue

“Hello?” Saudamini’s voice was heard on the other end of the telephone as Aniruddha breathed in. “Mini, this is Aniruddha.” “Oh, Ani, how are you? How is Bondita?” Her voice changed from doubtful to excited. Aniruddha was standing by the couch in the living room with a phone book on the coffee table and a sheet of paper with a guest list in his hand. The mention of Bondita made him involuntarily eye the visible corridor to the dining area, where he could hear her voice, instructing Koeli. Ever since the marriage, she seemed to have taken up the job of ordering everyone around the house like a true landlord, and even he was not spared from her occasional orders. That is exactly how he had landed on the couch with a phone book. “Umm… she is good. Everyone’s good. I’m calling because…” “Oh, do tell her I truly apologise for not attending the wedding. I know she was disappointed with me and thought it was some payback for her not attending mine.” An amused smile formed on Aniruddha’s lips ...

Embracing Truths

Rana Udai Singh had sent his Senapati Kunwar Partap back to Chittorgarh because Dungarpur had summoned them to the battlefield. How did a friendly visit culminate in a war? Rumours spread faster than wildfires in Mewar. Rana Udai Singh was attending a Mehfil where he liked one of the King’s best dancers. He wanted to take her back to Chittorgarh, and the king, who took pride in art, refused to part with his best dancer. Udai Singh, at the height of intoxication, abused the king, insulted his dynasty and almost forced the dancer girl to follow him, leading to an altercation. What he expected now was for Kunwar Partap to lead an army to Dungarpur, wage a war and force the king to apologise. Kunwar Partap was appalled by what he heard from the soldier. Could the Rana not understand that he could not make any more enemies? He asked his troops to prepare to leave and informed Raoji. Ajbante Kanwar ran down the corridor to her chambers as fast as she could. She did not care if anyone saw her...

RAABTA

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