The Plan

Jaivanta sat in her master bedroom, wiping her moist eyes. On the side table beside her was a wedding album. Her son's. She sniffed. Udai paced the room noiselessly, with a grim frown upon his face and sighed once in a while.

"He agreed?" Udai asked at last. His voice spoke of disbelief. Jaivanta nodded. "It seemed so. He didn't say no."
"This is all your fault, Jaivanta." Her husband's tone of rebuke was the first time she had heard in her entire married life. She looked up, a little taken aback.
"Udai?"
"You heard me. It's all your fault. You wanted their marriage to be like every other. I warned you to leave them alone. You never understood that they are different. And it's okay."

"It's all my fault, is it?" Jaivanta defended, "It's not my fault that I grew up with certain orthodox ideas that proved quite alright to me. I never…"
"Did Ajabdeh even want a family?" Udai interrupted. "You put this idea in her head in the first place."
"But she could deny it."
"C'mon. She was trying to please you by being the kind of daughter-in-law you wanted. You made her feel that her entire existence in this family depended on an heir."

"That's what my mother-in-law taught me." Jaivanta retorted. "I didn't force her. I suggested."
"Then both you and my mother are extremely wrong." Udai shook his head.
"What do I do?" Jaivanta looked perplexed.
"First, tell Pratap the truth." Udai sat down across from his wife. "The entire truth."
"The truth about what?" Jaivanta's brows shot up.
"Everything. From you sending Ajabdeh for those tests. He needs to know why she feels the way she feels to heal her." Jaivanta looked up at his words.

Pratap stared at his mother in disgust. A sense of guilt hit him. The guilt of being in the middle of all that was happening and being clueless about it all. Had he been more vigilant, neither Ajabdeh nor his mother could have lied to him the way they did. He needed to set things right. He needed to make Ajabdeh see the fact that their relationship was not based on the facts she thought were most important. But how?
"Leave me alone." He tried to check his voice in vain. Jaivanta looked up.
"I am sorry, son."
"I said, leave me alone. Let me handle it now. And please stop interfering anymore." Jaivanta left the room silently. He sat down on the edge of the bed, his hands on his head. A few rooms away, Heer was trying to study Ajabdeh. She was packing the rest of her things.

"Jija?" She spoke at last. "What have you decided?"
"I will shift to the apartment." She said.
"Oh, but you can't." Heer reminded her, "The apartment is under renovation. It will take at least a month."
"I am going to Bijoliya for a few days then." Heer looked up at her words with hope as she added, "alone." Heer face turned pale. "I will work remotely. Then, when I feel better and the house is ready, I will go back to our apartment. Talk to my attorney. And send him the separation papers."
"Jija?" Heer stopped her by putting her hands on Ajabdeh's cold ones. "Are you sure?'
"I am Heer. I have to do this."
"Why?" Heer almost choked.
"Because I can't deprive someone of happiness just because I am incapable of providing it." She said nonchalantly. "He deserves to be happy."
"He wants to be happy with you." Heer reasoned.
Ajabdeh shook her head. "He pities my condition. He always pitied me. Now that pity is suffocating me. I can't breathe here. I need to be free."
"You cannot stay alone there." Heer sounded alarmed. "You are unwell."
"I am fine. I have always taken care of myself. I will now." Ajabdeh forced a smile. "I will drop you off at the airport on the way. Pack your bags."

Shakti's knock on the door made the sisters look up as he entered the room with a grim face.
"You are leaving?" He asked. His voice trembled a little.
"First thing tomorrow morning." Ajabdeh sounded normal. He sat down by her on the floor and looked teary-eyed.
"Ajabdeh." He said, almost sounding helpless. "Don't leave." His words made Heer teary as she looked away. Ajabdeh smiled a little at him. "I know perhaps we were not the type of people you wanted as a family, and we failed to make you happy."
"No. No. No Shakti." Ajabdeh ruffled his hair. "It's nothing like that."
"Then why are you leaving?" He asked.
"Because relationships are about to give and take, Shakti. And I have nothing else to offer. I feel tired. Suffocated. And I can make nobody happy if I am not happy."
"Then take a break. Take a vacation." Shakti reasoned. Ajabdeh shook her head.
"A vacation won't undo certain things, Shakti. Don't blame anyone. It's me. It is all about me. I may sound selfish here, but I am doing this for myself. Please forgive me." Shakti hugged her tightly. Ajabdeh needed that hug. She knew she did. But she just expected it from different people. Expectations were, as she gathered, the root cause of pain.

Early at dawn, a car pulled into the porch of the mansion and the servants got busy loading the suitcases in. Sajja wiped her tears as Ajabdeh hugged her. "You are sure?" She asked, "You don't want to meet any of them?"
"I can't go if Dad tells me not to, I know he is upset with me. He will understand eventually. I know he will. I have already let Ranima know my decision, well, not directly, but she is aware of it. And said goodbye to Shakti." She sighed. "And tell Pratap…"
"Tell me what?"

Heer turned from the door of the car at his words and smiled hopefully. The first thing Ajabdeh noticed when she looked at him was that he was extremely well dressed for five in the morning, and he clearly hadn't slept the night before.
"I will send you the papers … when they are ready." She looked away. "Sign them."
"Oh, you don't need to do that." He put on his sunglasses as one of the servants brought his suitcases down to the car.
"I am coming to Bijoliya." He said rather monotonously. "Your leaving is, of course, your choice. My following you is mine."
"But…"
"Of course, you can't stop me. We are still legally married." He sounded casual as Ajabdeh's jaws tightened. "If you want, treat this as a business trip. But whatever it is, I do have some work in Bijoliya, and you are stuck with me."
"What is this work, may I ask?" She looked miffed.
"Of course. You can always ask. A man is always answerable to his wife." He made Sajja and Heer stare at each other and smile.
"I need to get my partner back. And I won't let her go unless she gives me a good enough reason for it." He smiled. "If there is anything she taught me, it is not to run away from promises. And I have made my vows to her."
Ajabdeh inhaled. "You can play your little game. It's a matter of a month. Once I go home, you can't follow me around." She snapped, "I will definitely send you the papers then." He removed his glasses, amused.
"Oh, I won't need to follow you around. Because I promise you this, Mrs Ajabdeh Punwar, that once this month is over, you will come back home, here, with me." He looked at her intensely, making her look away.
"Come on, Heer, let's drop you at the airport on the way. Shall we?" Heer nodded.
"Stay away from me," Ajabdeh said almost in a murmur.
"Oh, I will." He turned, amused as she got into the car.

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 an...

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 ...

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!" ...

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 ...

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......

Purnota: Epilogue

“Hello?” Saudamini’s voice was heard on the other end of the telephone as Aniruddha breathed in. “Mini, this is Aniruddha.” “Oh, Ani, how are you? How is Bondita?” Her voice changed from doubtful to excited. Aniruddha was standing by the couch in the living room with a phone book on the coffee table and a sheet of paper with a guest list in his hand. The mention of Bondita made him involuntarily eye the visible corridor to the dining area, where he could hear her voice, instructing Koeli. Ever since the marriage, she seemed to have taken up the job of ordering everyone around the house like a true landlord, and even he was not spared from her occasional orders. That is exactly how he had landed on the couch with a phone book. “Umm… she is good. Everyone’s good. I’m calling because…” “Oh, do tell her I truly apologise for not attending the wedding. I know she was disappointed with me and thought it was some payback for her not attending mine.” An amused smile formed on Aniruddha’s lips ...

Endless

Kunwar Pratap reached the Dangal. Ranima had ordered Ajabdeh to practise regularly. She was nowhere around since he woke up that morning. He had assumed she was with Ranima for the morning prayers, but then she was not in the Dangal on time, either. Ajabdeh was never late. He felt a little uneasy as he picked up the sword. A thunder made him look up at the gloomy sky as he felt the first drop of rain. A little wet, he ran through the corridors. Ajabdeh had woken up feeling unwell. He was sleeping after a tiring day, so she decided against calling him and, more, worrying him. She bathed, hoping to feel better, performed her puja and went to the gardens for some fresh air. Still feeling uneasy in the gloomy weather, she decided that playing with Parvati might make her feel better. After some talk with Bhago and playing with Parvati, she stood up from the floor and felt dizzy. Bhago caught her hand. " Are you all right?" " I just felt a little dizzy. I don't know why...

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 ...

RAABTA

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