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 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 that 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 recognised 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."

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...

Happy Ending

Dheer had a sleepless night. Yes, she had killed the Maharani, but to seek revenge for her son. Jagmal was all she had for a dream, and Rana Pratap's first decision was to banish him. He had never been that tough with his other brothers who went with Akbar, then why him? Just because he wanted to be a king? Just because they brought a false letter and bought a few witnesses? Her son died in Ajmer, so young. And she had always blamed Ajabdeh Punwar for Rana's hard decision. After all, ever since she came as a support for Jaivanta Bai, she had been like his shield, even though creating misunderstandings didn't help Dheer Bai Bhatiyani. Ajabdeh had done the impossible, showing him the real face of his Chotima. What bothered Dheer now was whether he remembered anything, and most importantly, if she did. Dheer had turned pale at the song and smile Pratap gave, but if he knew she had killed Ajabdeh, it meant Survi remembered her walking to a dying Ajabdeh and confessing that ...

Begum Sahib: Forbidden Love

2nd June 1634, Burhanpur. " My heart is an endowment of my beloved, the devotee and lover of his sacred shrine, a soul that enchants mine." The Raja of Bundi had arrived at Burhanpur after a win in the war of Paranda. He had met the crown prince Dara and was honoured with a sword and elephant before he came to pay his respect to the Padishah Begum as per the norms of the court. Jahanara was writing in her room. Her maid came with the news, “Begum Sahib, the Raja of Bundi has arrived at court; he is at the Bagh to pay you his respect.” “Tell him to sit in the courtyard of my bagh, I will be there.” She had risen from her place, covered her face in the veil of her dupatta and walked to the place where he waited. “ Begum Sahib”, he had acknowledged her presence with a salutation. She returned the bow with a nod. She was sitting inside the arch while he was on the other side of the Purdah, the sun shining over his head as he took his seat on the velvet carpet th...

Queen of the Heart

Kunwar Pratap was in the Dangal Sthal practising his moves. Ajabdeh decided it was fair to know his strength before she summoned him. Sword in hand, in a white female warrior attire with only her face visible, she hid behind one of the large watchtowers of the Dangal, watching him move. She heard Rawatji say, "Your left hand is still weaker than the right one with the moves. Both should be perfect." A smile curved her lips. Knowing an opponent's weakness always helps, which is one rule of war she always remembered. Kunwar Pratap swung his sword with his left hand and turned around. He could sense someone watching; his sixth sense was never wrong. He looked around. Ajabdeh again peeped at the grounds to see that it was empty. He had left. She walked towards the empty ground, sword in hand. Suddenly, the cold blade of a sword was felt on her neck. She stopped still. " So someone was spying on me." His voice had a hint of taunt. " No, I was ... walking by......

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!" ...

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in the 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 Surat. " Daajiraj, 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. Ajabdeh was making a drink 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. " Ajabdeh Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabdeh walke...

Begum Sahib: An Introduction and chronology

Note to the readers: Women behind men in history fascinate me. I had been reading about the mothers and wives who changed men’s fortunes. But what about daughters and sisters? A few months back, I was looking for books on Mughal Ladies, mainly Noor Jahan and her work. In the bibliography credits, I had chanced upon “The Life of A Mogul Princess” By Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Shah Jahan. I had no idea about the book and thought it was another autobiography. Previously, I had read only about how she was imprisoned along with her father at Agra, and her involvement with Dara Shikoh, her younger brother, in connecting the two realms of Hinduism and Islamism and the establishment of Sufism. All of these and the chronological events of history can be found in various books. As I read each page of her diary, cross-checking each point with Jagunath Sircar’s “History of Aurangzib” and R.C. Majumder’s “Mughal Empire” as well as numerous other sources on the Mughal Harem, I discovered ...

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 ...

Eternally Yours

Ajabdeh woke up to find neither the pillow nor the husband beside her. That was really unusual. Has she overslept? No, it was dark, and the first birds were singing. She sat up to find that he had neatly arranged the pillows and made his side of the bed, and put his blanket over her. She checked the changing room. No, he was not there, but unlike other days, his clothes were not in a mess. She freshened up and reached the dressing table. His brooch was not there. Where is he? Has the war... Her heart skipped a beat. What if he had left and not even woken her up? " Daasi? Daasi?" She called out as one of them walked in. " Ji Kuwaranisa?" " Where is Kunwarsa?" " He left early in the morning for Dangal and then a visit to the village. Do you need anything?" " No, you may go now." She put on the sindoor in worry. Maybe something urgent has come up. She walked to the Puja room and was shocked. Her garlands were made, the Chandan was in plac...

RAABTA

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