For The First Time

“This is getting worse.” shrugged an out-of-place and rather awkward Pratap Singh looking at his watch. In his early thirties, his tall figure, sharp features and brown eyes were hard to miss in a crowd. He was the new MD of his father's company and had ever since then been on the A list of bachelorettes. His work earned him quick fame in the industry as he was featured in the 30 under 30 lists of a reputed magazine recently.

He had skipped two meetings for this. But his cousin-sister’s wedding was not to be missed, as per Ranima’s instructions. He had negotiated to be present only for one ceremony. His mother didn’t push him either. He would never have listened anyway. He sipped on the martini he had just collected from the counter and appeared irked. He had never had a drink so early in the day ever, but today he badly needed one. The lawn was crowded with guests and most of them were familiar faces. Pratap looked down at his shining shoes. Is there any way the ground would just open and I will disappear before any relative spots me and comes for a small talk? He wondered. He knew what they were curious about. Not his work or his family. It was the gossip. It was the petty stories the tabloids cooked up about why his fiancée left him. The mark of the ring on his finger was still visible. He gulped down the remaining drink and ordered another. Honestly, he was tired of searching for the answers himself. He was all for plans. Things were supposed to be different.

The Songara ancestral Haveli was decorated for the wedding and the lawn today was organised for the Sangeet ceremony. Sitting pretty in the middle of the crowd was Manwati in all gossiping and blushing. Ranima had decided to sponsor the wedding for her and insisted on both Pratap and his father contribute in order to give Manwati a wedding befitting her clan. Some things he failed to understand.

He gulped down the drink and ordered another. Hell, all this hard-earned money going to waste; I better have a few drinks.

“I hate weddings.” He declared with a sigh at nobody in particular, almost to himself.

“Oh?” He heard a voice behind him. “Why so?” He turned. There was a lady, about his age, if not younger, in a yellow Kurti, her dark brown hair tied up, and black eyes drawn with Kohl. His brows shot up a little. Must be one of Manwati’s innumerable friends looking for potential wealthy men to mesmerize.

“Just...” He shrugged. “What is the purpose of such an extravaganza? The showing off, going out of one’s way to please people, inviting people you will never meet for the rest of your life, feeding them and then hearing all kinds of criticism. There is a whole industry scamming people through Indian weddings.” He noticed her smile. “Don’t you think such events are totally unnecessary and should be personal?” Now she shook her head. The smile refused to leave her face though.

“No. I don’t think so; because honestly if I did, I would be jobless.” She shrugged. He frowned at her words.

“I am the wedding planner. And I hope I am not part of any scam unknowingly.” She extended her hand.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I ... didn’t know.” He smiled rather sheepishly,” Miss...?” He shook it briefly.

“Punwar. Ajabdeh Punwar.” She smiled swiftly taking out a card from her purse and handing it over to him, noticing how he avoided telling his name in exchange. “I assume you don’t need this, but just in case someone you know does...”

He nodded. “The arrangements are well done.”

“Honestly, it’s easier with rich people; you get whatever you need without a fuss.” She shrugged. “Middle-class weddings are challenging with the budget being low. Rich people are easy. They want something, they buy it. They are like blank pay cheques.” She smiled looking around. He inhaled slightly with a hint of amusement appearing on his face.

“Yeah, you are right. But sometimes the rich people are forced to spend their hard-earned money for showing off their class to society, something I don’t approve of.” She nodded in agreement as he continued. “I am Pratap Singh by the way, the blank pay cheque.” He would lie if he said he didn’t enjoy the colour flushing from her face and her eyes going wide.

“I... am so sorry.” She stammered. “I didn’t mean...”

He smiled.

“We are even when it comes to awkward moments today.” He shook his head. “So... Manwati is your....?” She asked, narrowing her brows. “Sister?” “Cousin.” He said in a rather emotionless tone. “My maternal aunt’s daughter.” “Oh...” Ajabdeh felt awkward again. “I have to go check the... um...”

“I... have a good day Miss Punwar.” He said putting the empty glass down and sliding his hands into his pocket.

“You too.” She walked away and disappeared into the crowd.

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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

Chapter Four: Imprisoned

Abhaya was thrown into a room without windows and the doors were chained shut. It was dark and damp and the walls smelled of gathered dust. She could sense the chains being locked as she heard voices outside. She tried to get up but her bruised knees and weak body failed her. She stumbled on the cold stone floor to notice the mattress on one side and a pot of water on the other. What were they going to do to her? Was she the only one here? Where were her parents? In the Summer heat also she felt a shiver in her body. She briefly remembered her house up in flames, the bottles of kerosene being thrown at the open windows. Torches around the house, chanting slogans. The screams of the women. The last time she saw her elder brothers was when they picked up the pistols and canes from around the house. She realised her father was not home when she ran down the corridor towards the chaos, her heart on her throat. The loud sound of the car burning and the screams of her mother made her freeze.

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

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

Unsaid

" Keep the Lehenga in this one, that jewellery in the box." Jaivanta Bai was ordering around. Kunwar Shakti entered with an equally stunned Kunwar Pratap at the scene as the hall turned into a mini market thanks to their mothers. " Kunwar Pratap is here." Dheerbai smiled at the duo as she walked up to them. " Choti ma what are all these?" He asked. " Shagun!"Sajjabai answered excitedly."For Kuwaranisa. She will be blessed with these for the Sagaai. " " What Sagaai ?" "Your engagement , aree , no one told him?" Sajja was surprised. " The four of us are choosing separate gifts of our own choice for your bride, Kunwarsa come and see." Veer Bai urged. " The sagaai is in three days, followed by the wedding on the seventh, Rajpurohitji had said," Dheerbai spoke up as Pratap stared right at his mother. She seemed happy. " What happened, Kunwar Pratap? Do you have doubts?" Dheerbai smiled sw

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

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.

RAABTA

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