Sealed

Pratap's phone rang and he jolted a little. It was too late at night. He didn't know when he had fallen asleep, crying. The screen flashed Heer's name on it. His heart skipped a beat. Was she okay?

"Hello." There was urgency in his voice. "Is everything okay?" He asked almost in a reflex.

"I… hello. It's me. My phone battery died so…" Ajabdeh's voice made him sigh in relief. "Oh. How can I help you?" He checked his tone. He could hear her sigh.

"We need to talk." She said.

"There is nothing left to…"

"No. I mean… I mean…" he waited with a narrowed pair of brows as she stammered. "You left something here by mistake."

"Oh. Must have got into your luggage." He said. "Let it be."

"No. Why don't you come along and take it tomorrow?"

"Ajabdeh I am sure it's nothing important." He scrutinized the things spread around him in heaps. "I have everything I need here. Don't bother so much."

"Are you sure?" She insisted "I think you should come around."

"It's about the papers isn't it?" He snapped. "Fine. You could just say that. I will stop by after work. Take care." He was eager to end the call. Her voice was like a knife stabbing his heart.

"You too." She disconnected.

Ajabdeh paced the room and looked up at the clock. Heer had informed her flight was on time. She sighed. She then picked up the phone and texted.

"You are coming right?" She asked.

"After work. Can be late. We can skip." He texted back.

"No. Come over. Take back what is yours." He was annoyed at her text. She couldn't even keep something that belonged to him for a few days. Did his mere presence irk her so much? He took the keys and packed his briefcase.

As soon as Ajabdeh opened the door she noticed how tired and sleepless Pratap looked. Like he hadn't slept all night.

"What did I leave behind that is so important that…'' he stopped as he entered the house. "Wait a minute. Are you alone?" He sounded anxious. "Where is Heer?"

"On a flight back to Delhi," Ajabdeh said rather calmly.

"What?" Pratap looked agitated. "You can't stay alone. The doctor…" Pratap picked up his phone.

"It's okay. I told her to leave. She didn't want to. She has something important at work." She reassured Pratap to put the phone back in his pocket.

"Fine. I will tell Shakti to…" He stopped at her cold stare.

"Fine. Do what you want to. What did I forget was so important that I had to be here today itself?" He asked. He was scared being in the same room as she made him vulnerable. "Could it not wait?"

"No. You forgot the most important thing." She said taking a step closer and making him stare at her with questioning eyes. " Your wife."

"Wha…"

"She is stupid. She is slow. You can't give up on her just because she told you to."

"I don't understand." Pratap managed as his throat went dry and his heart thumped in his chest. "You said…"

" Do you want to take her back or not?" She asked, raising her eyebrows and inching closer to him.

"Who is her?" He asked, confused.

" Your wife. You forgot to take her home." Ajabdeh smiled as her eyes sparkled. Pratap thought either this was a dream or she was under medication.

"But you told…" he reminded her.

"I said what I said. I thought you never… loved me." She blinked away her tears.

"Are you crazy? Of course, I love you. I have always loved you."

"But you never said it before. Never said it ever." She placed her hand over his heart. "I was so scared. And insecure."

" I am so sorry. I always thought gestures were enough for us. Like I knew from your gestures that you care I thought you see through me." He said holding her shoulders with both hands. She looked into his moist eyes. "I am so sorry you went through so much."

"No. We did. We went through so much and I never realized I was not alone. You were there in all the happiness and pain. I just didn't see that. I was blinded by my own pain."

"I could have been more vocal. I also took you for granted. I assumed you were happy."

"No. You didn't. You just … I always knew you won't leave me no matter what. So I tried to push you away. I thought you would be happier. But the moment you abandoned me…"

"I never abandoned you." Pratap shook his head, clasping her chin. "I can never. I am the happiest with you Ajabdeh. You are my home. My safe place. The one who is there through my biggest failures and flaws and never lost faith in me."

"Then promise me that if I am ever crazy enough to push you away you will never leave me alone."

"I promise you." Pratap hugged her. "We are enough for each other Ajabdeh. We are complete in our own way. We don't need society to tell us otherwise." He said softly in her ears. She nodded hugging him tighter. Placing her head on his shoulder she closed her eyes and let her tears flow.

"Even when I cry or annoy you? Say things I don't mean? Or oppose you?"

"Even then. I am never going anywhere."

"You have to put up with the mood swings and insecurities. The workaholism and stress. I cry a lot lately." Her words made him smile.

"I am here to bring you coffee and wine, listen to your problems, and wipe away your tears." He reassured her by putting his chin on her head.

"What if there are bad days? Days you are tired of me? Or I want to kill you." She asked, making him almost chuckle.

"We will fight and make up. We will have vacations. We will spend time with the family. Cool down and talk it out. Not keep anything from each other." He reassured her again. "We will be fine."

"I love you." Pratap broke the hug at her words and looked into her eyes with a smile. He wiped her tears away from her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

"I love you too." She smiled back at his words before leaning in for a kiss.

"You want to take your wife home?" She asked inches away from his lips as their noses touched.

"Maybe tomorrow." She frowned at his words. He smiled slightly pulling her by the waist towards him. "Tonight I want to show her how much I love her." He smiled planting a soft peck on her nose.

"I missed you." She smiled.

"I missed us." He smiled back as she hugged him again.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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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