Comedy of Errors

The morning started with breakfast being served in the orchard and everyone praised the decorations. Ajabdeh was in charge of the place and she was busy instructing the subordinates.

Pratap mingled with some business contacts who according to Udai would probably help them with their textile expansion.

"Excuse me." Ajabdeh turned at the hint of amusement in Shakti's voice.

"How can I help you?" She spoke in a professional manner eyeing the men alongside Shakti.

"We wanted to know about the bachelor's party arrangement." He sounded excited.

"It is in the itinerary." She smiled. "I am sorry I can't tell you more." She shrugged. "But I am sure you will enjoy yourselves, sirs." Shakti looked hopeful at her words. "Excuse me."

Ajabdeh received a call from reception that someone was looking for her. She was surprised to find that it was Phool Kanwar.

“How can I help you, Ma’am?” She smiled politely.

“Hey, Ajabdeh right?” She smiled tilting her head “So we have become well acquainted now.” She said, lowering her voice.``I want the room number of Pratap Singh’s.”

A little startled at her request, Ajabdeh was quick to recover. “Sorry, Ma’am. We can’t give away our accommodation details. It is a guest privacy policy and we can’t change the rule for you.”

“But you don’t understand.” Phool shrugged “We came together.”

“Oh did you?” Ajabdeh smiled. “Then why don’t you ask him?”

“Things are complicated.” She shrugged “We were engaged. I kind of went to LA without telling him. Now I want to win him back.”

“I am sorry Ma’am I have no interest in your private affairs. I can’t give you his room number.”

“Fair enough.” Phool took a deep breath. “Call him from reception and ask him. If he agrees you can give me his room number. That’s a good idea right?”

Before Ajabdeh could barely speak a word, she went to the receptionist with her request. The receptionist nodded.

“Hello, Sir we are calling from the hotel reception. The Wedding Planner will like to have a few words with you?” The woman spoke handing the receiver over to Ajabdeh. Pratap frowned on the other end of the phone.

“Ajabdeh?”

He could hear the smile on her breath. “Hello Sir, Miss Phool Rathore is here to enquire about your room number.”

“She… what? Ajabdeh… I…”

“Should I give her your room number?” She asked flashing a smile at Phool.

“Are you mad?” He asked, almost irked “What kind of a joke is this?”

“Here.” She promptly handed the receiver to Phool “He doesn’t want us to. Have a good day.” Ajabdeh had no idea how the conversation between Phool and Pratap went, but she was amused.

"She is proving me wrong," Jaivanta spoke sipping tea as Udai smiled. "And you aren't happy?"

"It's not that." She shook her head. "I wanted someone more homely for Pratap because of his rebellious nature and she is…"

"Just like him." Jaivanta agreed to Udai's words. "Sometimes that is good too. Trust me."

Jaivanta fell quiet. "So she wins the deal?" Udai asked hopefully "No more saas-bahu drama in my house?" Jaivanta rolled her eyes at him.

Pratap decided to give the bachelor's night a skip so that his younger brother would enjoy it more freely. He had some unfinished work to be sorted and to top that he dreaded having to face Phool again. He was satisfied with the way he made himself clear to her.

Ajabdeh arrived back in her room, tired and satisfied when she saw the connecting door half open and knocked. He looked up from his work and she smiled.

"Looks like I am making the coffee today."

“You owe me one after you handed the phone to her.” His words almost came as a rebuke and she laughed. It’s been a long time since Pratap had seen her laugh heartily. Maybe at the animal rescue centre last. He shook his head.

“Now you are amused?”

“I deal with the strangest of people every day. You can deal with one and share the load can’t you?” She asked with a hint of laughter again. “I will get coffee, strong?”

"Yes please." He smiled back. "How was the party?"

"As mad as Bachelors usually are." She shook her head. "Loud music. Drunk guests. It's like teens being left without adult supervision crazy!" She said, pouring hot water. "You could have come."

A knock resounded on his door prompting Ajabdeh to go to her side of the room and lock the connecting door. She looked at her watch. 3AM. Who would knock on Pratap's door so late?

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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

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

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

Chapter Three: Pedigree

The Imperial Police work was a tough job. The family had no idea what Superintendent Animesh Kumar Mukhopadhyay went through to provide for his family and their luxurious lives. Abhaya’s father never failed to let his family know that. Every time he drank down his sins. Every time he came home drunk. Every time he beat his wife. Abhaya would often sit awake all night, her pillow pressed against her ears as she sobbed silently, hoping that her mother’s begging sobs and father’s lewd language would stop. One day she had opened the door of her room slightly and was about to step out when her sister-in-law intervened. Her face was dark as she coldly told Abhaya to return to her room. She would be punished if her elder brothers found out about her trying to get out of her chambers at night. Abhaya at twelve knew one truth greater than others. Men were like this, women had to tiptoe around them to serve them as they demanded. She was intimidated by the regular chores the women of the hous

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

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

Friends?

Early morning, Ajabde walked into Saubhagyawati’s house as the Panditji looked relieved. “Baisa you are here now I don’t need to look after anything.” She walked into Saubhagyawati’s room and found her braiding her hair nervously. Her lehenga looked beautiful and only the maangtika was about to be put so Ajabde did the honours. Saubhagyawati held her hand and took a deep breath. “Ajabde have a confession.” “What is it Bhago?” She looked worried. “Are you scared?” “No no Ajabde it’s not that. I… met him… before…” “Whom?” “The one who is coming to see me.” She looked away scared. “What? How…” Ajabde looked at her with wide eyes. “woh… Both nights when I waited for you in the…” “Hai Bhagwan Bhago! What if he says that seeing you in front of your father?” Ajabde spoke up as Bhago looked shocked. Why didn’t she think that before? “What will we do now?” Bhago asked worriedly. Ajabde was lost in thoughts. No way could people know. The groom had arrived with

Struggles and Tests

Kunwar Pratap ran to hug his mother. Jaivanta Bai smiled pleased looking at him. Sajja Bai had accompanied her here with the Bhattiyani queen and had reached out to her sister in Marwar for shelter with the princesses until the war ended. She refused to stay like a commoner at Samant’s house. “Majhli Maasa.” Kunwar Pratap touched her feet and got a hug in return. “ Where is Chotima?” “She went to Mehrangarh.” Jaivanta Bai replied. Dressed simply in a blue lehenga and silver jewellery she still looked elegant. The sound of Payal made everyone turn as Hansa smiled at her daughter. “This is Ajabde. My eldest.” Ajabde stepped forward to touch the queen’s feet while Kunwar Pratap stepped back carefully watching the scene with a smile. Jaivanta Bai cupped her face and noticed her son’s reaction in silence. “Ajabde show them the guest rooms.” After the refreshments, Hansa Bai instructed her while Kunwar Pratap left in a hurry followed by Balwant who now kind of worshipped him.

Love Struck

A new dawn was about to break in Mewar. Kunwar Pratap shifted in his bed, as the lamp shone in the darkness. He was now facing her sleeping figure. Her hand rested on the pillow between them, the pillow he chose to keep there in the first place but now it seemed like the symbol of the distance he wanted to bridge between their hearts. He stared at it lost in thoughts. I promised myself to make you mine, But how? What if you... He stared at the sleeping figure admitting in silence that no one, even the bravest enemy scared him like her calm composed self did. I am thinking like a typical husband. He smiled. What to do now Ajabde? I am terrible with my words unlike you. Pratap Singh! You need to learn a few things! He looked back at the ceiling in his thoughts. What if I drop hints? She knows me so well, maybe she will understand without me actually speaking for myself. The thoughts made his face light up. Yes, Yes that will be perfect. Let's try this. But... First thing first... so

RAABTA

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