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 prioritized 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 cousin's 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 anything from trying her hand at chess, making pizzas or cookies or playing board games while they talked of anything under the sun. By now Shakti knew that he had made a friend. He had opened up to Ajabdeh like never before.

Pratap walked through the corridor towards his room only to hear laughter coming from the terrace garden. He peeped to see his sibling with Ajabdeh, on a picnic mat, savouring freshly made pizza and playing cards. Spotting him on the threshold Shakti smiled.

"Come join us Dadabhai, Ajabdeh made Pizza." He offered. Ajabdeh whose back was to him till then turned with a courtesy smile. "But it has pineapples." She added.

"I assumed." Pratap nodded looking at his sibling. Shakti stared at both of them looking at him like he had committed a grave crime.

"What? Pineapples taste yummy on Pizza." He shrugged. Ajabdeh made a pukish face while Pratap turned to leave.

"I have heard enough today." He said before waving a bye and disappearing through the corridor. Ajabdeh laughed. "So tell me.... umm... one secret nobody knows!"

"That's an easy one. I had my first kiss at fourteen. She was a senior and we didn't tell a soul." She stopped savouring her piece of pizza at his words, a little surprised. "Till now."

"Weren't you... err... a kid?" She asked, amused gathering the scattered pack of cards.

He smiled. "Yes, but the first is special isn't it?" He asked. Ajabdeh's silence made him look astonished at her.

"Wait... what?" He asked amused "You never.... did you never have a boyfriend?" Ajabdeh shook her head.

"I was very focused and serious. I knew I had to earn. I saw Maasa struggle." Ajabdeh smiled faintly "But Heer was pretty popular...."

"Yeah, she is... pretty..." Shakti said almost in a reflex as Ajabdeh looked up at him briefly.

"And... what about..." She stopped biting her tongue.

"Dadabhai?" Shakti smiled leaning against the bean bag. "Never saw him with a girl until..."

"The one who got away?" Shakti nodded. Ajabdeh shook her head "Yeah he told me." "Wait... you didn't know?" He questioned, surprised "Everyone in our circles knows."

"I... don't belong to your circles Shakti." Ajabdeh smiled picking up the cards and the empty plates.

"Jija..." Here's a voice made her turn. "The doctor is here."

"Let me help here, you go." Sajja smiled, directing a maid to take the empty plate from her hand as Ajabdeh followed Heer.

The doctor smiled at Ajabdeh and Heer ``Well she is improving given that she recognized you both as her daughters. We need to observe her more closely for a few days.``

"What do you suggest, Doctor?" It was Jaivanta who asked the question walking towards them "Shift her to the hospital again?"

"Oh that is not needed, the nurse can keep vigil. Just make sure she is stress-free and sleeping enough. And any kind of abnormality in regular functions must be noted." The ladies nodded.

Ajabdeh peeped into Hansa's room to watch the nurse feed her mother a bowl of soup. Heer stood beside her and smiled a little relieved.

"I think we should shift back home," Ajabdeh said. "She will be more comfortable there."

"But Jija... work?" Heer asked concerned.

"I will make sure I am home when you aren't around and vice versa." Ajabdeh shrugged "We will manage. This is our mother, Our responsibility. These people have done more than enough. We can't...."

"You are right." Heer agreed. "We should make arrangements to leave."

"Let me talk to Rukaiya once, then I will inform Mrs Sisodiya myself." Ajabdeh smiled faintly. Heer walked past her into the room and towards Hansa. Ajabdeh sighed watching Hansa smile as Heer hugged her.

Ajabdeh turned to see Shakti standing in front of her.

"You are leaving?" He asked clearly disappointed "So soon?"

"It's been three weeks Shakti. How long can we..."

"But stay a few more..." Shakti urged " Ranima is going to miss Aunty."

"Our home is always open for you and her." Ajabdeh smiled "Come by any day and we can play board games and make pizzas like you want to every weekend." Shakti smiled as Ajabdeh read his mind. "But right now, we need to make her feel comfortable." Shakti nodded.

"We will leave next weekend." She said. "Hopefully Maa Sa will be happy being back home."

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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

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

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

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.

Disguise

I am not going to lose so easily. I still have my last hope left. Baijilal, I am coming, Dheerbai smiled to herself as the Palki continued its journey. She had done everything, cried, fallen at Ranaji’s feet and sought forgiveness from Jaivanta Bai to make them believe her. She had won over Ranaji again, enough to accompany them on the journey. Kunwar Pratap smiled at the letter that arrived for him at Telhati. He read it thrice before telling Chakrapani “Ranima wants me to meet them at… Bijolia!” “Laxmi. Eat now, what is wrong with you?” Ajabde was in a bad mood as she scolded Laxmi who refused to eat. “Laxmi. Actually, people don’t know how to talk with love.” The voice behind her made her jump. "Please eat Laxmi.” He walked past her to Laxmi patting her towards the bucket gently. “You…You…” She looked scared. “I…I…” He smiled. “Here?” She frowned. “Here.” He nodded. “Why?” She dreaded the answer. “Because “ He stepped forward as she stepped back. “

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

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

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

RAABTA

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