The Last Ride

Ajabdeh woke up with a heavy head and still felt sleepy. She sat on the bed and drew the blanket over her bare shoulders as she remembered the night. A smile curved her lips as she looked out at the midday sun. She suddenly looked alarmed. It was midday. They were supposed to leave after breakfast. Why did nobody wake her up? Where was he? She quickly got dressed. Her mind was running. So many things were said and done the day before. She needed to talk to him.

She was greeted at the door by the packed luggage and Kasturi.

"I packed your luggage for you, ma'am. Sir said I should pack you some snacks, so I made sandwiches."

"Where is he?" She asked, looking around.

"He is yet to come downstairs."

"Why did you not wake me up, Kasturi? We were supposed to leave two hours ago." She narrowed her eyes at the clock.

"I am sorry, ma'am. Sir instructed us to let you sleep." She smiled, thanking her for her service and insisting she took a handsome tip before she turned at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Pratap had his aviator glasses on and walked past her towards the car.

"Put the luggage in Bahadur." He said to the guard, who did as he was told.

Ajabdeh silently went up to her side of the car and opened the door.

"Put her luggage on top." She heard him say, "She will be dropped off first." Ajabdeh inhaled. She glanced across at him, driving once they were on the highway.

"I sent Mrs Sekhawat a thank-you note and a bouquet." She spoke.

"I called Heer. She will be there when you arrive at the apartment. She will help you clean up and settle." He turned on the radio as she looked out of the window.

"We need to talk," Ajabdeh said almost in a murmur. The music was too loud. He didn't hear her. Or he pretended not to. He hadn't seen her eye to eye even once.

"Do you want sandwiches?" She asked a little louder.

"I am not hungry." He shook his head indifferently. Ajabdeh decided it was best to be quiet.

The car stopped at her old apartment. Ajabdeh could see Heer wave at her on the driveway.

"I will take the bags inside." Heer insisted, forcing a smile as her face looked pale. Ajabdeh nodded in silence and looked back at the man who handed the bags over to her sister.

"I…" Ajabdeh spoke as Pratap cleared his throat.

"I will see you around. Drop the papers by my office. I will sign them." Ajabdeh looked up at his words. He looked away. "Whatever makes you happy." He walked back to the car and drove off. Ajabdeh stood there watching his car leave.

Jaivanta's face looked pale as she exchanged glances with her worried husband. Her son was home. Alone. Shakti was about to follow Pratap up to his room as Udai gestured to him to stop.

"Leave him alone." His words were firm.

"I should talk to Ajabdeh first thing tomorrow," Jaivanta spoke, concerned.

"Don't you dare do that! I will visit her in a few days. Leave it to me." Udai spoke. "Unlike you, I will support them if they are happier apart." Jaivanta looked away.

Pratap rushed into his bedroom and slammed the door behind him. Then he sat down on the floor, hugging his knees close to his chest as tears flowed down his cheeks. He had lost her. He looked up at the pictures on the wall. The wedding day. The honeymoon selfie. The candid photo of her with animals at the rescue centre. His vision blurred. He held on to the nearest cushion he found close to his mouth and let out a silent scream. Ajabdeh was gone, and it was all his fault. He perhaps didn't ever find it important to say what he felt rather than show it. Now, in his desperate attempt to stop her, his words perhaps lacked value to her feelings. He was too late.

The moment Ajabdeh entered the apartment, the smell of fresh paint gave her a headache. Even lunch and a nap didn't help. When she woke up, it was raining outside. She popped a pill and stood on the balcony as Heer made tea.

"What would you like to have for dinner, Jija?"

"He said he loves me." She said almost in a murmur.

"What?" Heer looked clueless.

"He said he loves me." Ajabdeh smiled, a little surprised.

"And you thought he didn't?" Heer looked shocked. "Of course, he loves you."

"But… Heer." Ajabdeh looked out at the scene. "I didn't say it back." She looked alarmed. "That is why...that is why he left me."

"You are not making any sense, Jija. He didn't leave you. You told him to."

"You don't understand. " Ajabdeh shook her head. "He was there all along. He never said it. I missed the signs waiting for the words." Heer shook her head, clueless. "What did I do, Heer?"

Pratap sat staring at the wall. He was tired of crying and hungry because he skipped lunch and dinner and hadn't stepped out of his room since he arrived. Even Shakti couldn't get him to open the door. "Leave me alone, please." He had insisted. There he was. In the cold, dark room alone. His eyes dried up from all the tears. He couldn't close his eyes even for a second. Her face, her words, the feeling of her skin on his came haunting back. The previous night, for a very brief moment, he had thought that he had convinced her. That she was happy with him. She did make a move. She did hug him. But then she said she would never forget it. Their last night. What was he thinking? He banged his forehead against his hand in utter frustration.

The Legend of Maharana Pratap: An Introduction

Itihas ke Har Panne Ki Ek Bohot Bada Uddesh Hota Hai Jo Aap Aur Main Kabhi Samajh Nahi Paate. Shayad, Meera Bai Ki Bhakti Ki Panna Dhai Ke Sahas Ki Chittor ki Jauhar ke askon ki Ek Bohot Bada Uddesh Tha. Ek Pratap Ka Charo Or Phelne Ki Mewar Ke Suraj ki Roshni Ki. Mewar, a land in Rajputana, is nestled between the serene Aravallis. With its beautiful lakes and forestland, the yellow soil that witnessed warfare, and the mighty temples that stood as a testament to the Bhajans of Meera Bai, its history and folktales reflect stories of bravery, rebellion, and loyalty. Rana Sanga, the most famous of rulers who sat on the throne of Mewar, died unexpectedly, leaving Mewar in a state of uncertainty. Here is where this story begins. The year was 1535 CE, and Mewar's capital, Chittorgarh, stood invincible on the plateau surrounded by the Aravallis. The danger that loomed large after the king's demise was to the throne. Ratan Singh, the king's secondborn, was coronated rather quickly...

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......

One Night

Happy Valentine's Day, readers! Hope you put your self-love and your love for reading right at the top when you celebrate today! The night was eerie; the veil of stars shone in the clear sky, occasional clouds travelling with the wind, playing hide-and-seek with the crescent moon. The leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, and somewhere in the forestland, the call of an animal broke the silence. Owls hooted somewhere, and in the darkness, one could see across the arid land, beyond the water of a lake, a fort wall was lit by the torches of the guards who were awake and alert. The sandstone castle in the middle of the small township was asleep. The corridors of the Mardana Mahal, where noblemen and princes were stationed, were heavily guarded tonight. The prince of Mewar was travelling through this small town, on one of his many campaigns. The square-shaped palace had an inner courtyard for the ladies. Opposite the Mardana Mahal was the Andar Mahal, where the women resided. They shar...

Scheme of Things

The ousting of Shams Khan and his troops from Chittorgarh earned Kunwar Partap Singh overnight fame across the land as tales of his bravery made their way through the dunes and hills, across rivers and borders to lands far and beyond. At thirteen, he had commanded an army troop to take over the fort of Chittorgarh and restore Mewar’s borders to their former glory. People started comparing him to his forefathers, the great Rana Kumbha, who built forts across Mewar and his grandfather, Rana Sanga, who had united all Rajputs against external threats. As bards sang praises of the prince, gossip soon followed. Gossip was the most entertaining one could get in the mundane city lives and village gatherings, and it often travelled faster than the fastest Marwadi horse. So alongside the tales of his absolute bravery and how he hoisted the Mewari flag on the fort, were the stories of how his life was in danger, the king and queen did not quite get along and how he was made to live in poverty 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!" A...

Legend of Maharana Pratap: Kika

The Bullock cart stopped in the middle of the forest. The scorching heat of the summer sun over the head. It made the woman sweat. It had been a long time since she had been outdoors in the summer sun this way. Kunwar Pratap was holding the reins of the cart. He was in a simple white angrakha and a red pagri. Those that commoners often wear. He glanced over his shoulder at his mother. She looked tired in her simple green lehenga. Her face was covered in a semi-transparent dupatta. "Do you need to stop for water?" He enquired. Jaivanta shook her head at her concerned son. He was barely twelve, yet he spoke like a protective man. They had stopped twice on their way from Jallore to Bhilwara. Once, they had bought this commoner attire from a local market. They had paid a young woman handsomely for buying it for them. Then they stopped for the night at a traveller's den on the way. These traveller's dens were made by Sher Shah for traders who stopped on their way to Surat....

The Queen

“Some remain immortal in deeds, others, in the hearts of their loved ones.” Kunwar Partap had left Kumbhalmer a little reluctantly with his chieftains to claim the throne that was rightfully his, at his father’s funeral at Gogunda. It did not come as a surprise to either Maharani Jivanta Bai or Ajbante Baisa that Rani Dheer Bai had tried to put her son on the throne of Mewar and ally with the Timurids. As Amar Singh rode away, excited, beside his father, Ajbante stared at them go, with a heavy heart. Today was the start of a new journey, a new title and new responsibilities, but all she could gather was that her baby was not a baby anymore. She felt the way she felt when she had first come to the house, alone in a crowd. A sudden tap on her shoulder jolted her from her thoughts as she turned to see Rajmata Jivanta Bai standing before her with questioning eyes. “What is it that worries you today, Ajbante?” Jivanta Bai asked, reading her face, “Is it not some sunshine after ...

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...

Legend of Maharana Pratap: A Prince in Exile

"Jija, your fear has blinded you." Dheer Bai's words to Jaivanta Bai made everyone gasp. The entire Rani Mahal of Chittorgarh had gathered in the hall. Jaivanta Bai had accused Dheer Bai of poisoning her son's milk. "I know you did it." Jaivanta's lips trembled. Her eyes were teary with fear. A copper glass of milk lay spilt across the floor. Kunwar Pratap stared at his mother in shock. "Your wet nurse was seen around the milk." Dheer Bai let out a soft chuckle. "Just because Jagmal's nurse was around, it does not mean..." "You hate Pratap. I know you do." Jaivanta Bai spoke firmly. "Why will I hate him? He is like my son." Dheer Bai defended. "Like..." Jaivanta shook her head. "It is not the same." "Ranima." Kunwar Pratap held his mother's hand. "I am fine." "If your servant did not notice the slight change of colour, the milk would have killed you." His mo...

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...

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