Rishta Tera Mera: Prologue

Chal raho pe ek nayi rah banaye

Department of Law,

University of Calcutta

Class of 1942

She adjusted the black satin gown over her saree and straightened it. Her excitement knew no bounds. She was anxious, excited, sleep deprived and happy. They say, dreams only become true if you dare to dream with open eyes. That she did. She had big dreams, bigger than what was offered to her. Everyone happened to see success in a success story. What about the journey? The hurdles and abuses? What does a person leave or face for a dream that’s big? They don’t matter any more once someone succeeds. People look up to them. But then, the person remembers each and every moment like it was yesterday. Who had faith in them and who didn’t, who supported them, and who didn’t? Everything in life comes in a flash in front of their eyes. Today was such a day for her. If she believed in rebirth, she would have believed that this was her moment of being reborn. To fly and reach the skies.

"She is our topper, and she wants to work towards Women's Rights in the country."

Her heartbeat was louder than the claps that resonated across the hall of the University when her name was called. She took slow measured steps up to the dais. Her throat felt dry. Her hands were cold. She could very well faint in happiness today. If that was possible. She walked up to the Vice Chancellor and with shivering cold hands took the folded roll of paper that was her certificate. She stared back at the crowd. A few known faces, friends and family. A few proud ones. Some more than others. This was it.

This was what the journey was about. All the dreams, sacrifices, hardship, and tears culminated in this one moment when she could wear the cape gown and graduation hat. Her eyes met another pair in the crowd. If someone was prouder than her on this journey, it had to be him. If someone had faced the odds like she did, it was him. For her. Her vision blurred. Dreams did come true. They just needed to be nurtured.

Barrister Bondita Roy Chowdhury knew the cost of these dreams too well today.

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Scrutiny of His Keen Eyes

Rao Ramrakh Punwar had walked into the camp tent upon the declaration of his arrival and bowed to the Rana of Mewar. Rana Udai Singh was sitting on a makeshift throne inside the tent with a spread of fresh fruits, wine and nuts on the carpet before him. He gestured at Rao Ramrakh as one of the servants offered him grapes that he politely refused. He eyed Rawat Chundawat, standing by the king, his hands folded across his chest, his face looking worried, the bushy brows narrowed and his long oiled and combed beard looking neat as he eyed Rao Ramrakh. Almost as if he could read his mind, the Samanth of Bijoliya knew that like himself the Rawat of Salumber did not quite agree to the need of this battle. Yet here they were. Rao Ramrakh realised they were probably waiting for the Senapati, Kunwar Partap as some soldiers came and spread some maps of the terrain as instructed by Rawat Chundawat. The guards declared the arrival of the prince of Bundi as Rana stood up to welcome his son-in-law. ...

Broken Strings

“Kunwarsa Padhare Hai.” The attendant ran across the corridor of the Bijoliya Palace conveying the news. Rao Ramrakh had politely asked the prince of Mewar to wait by the Bijoliya Lake for half a day, as he arrived back home at dawn to see to the preparations of welcoming the prince of Mewar properly. Ajbante Kanwar was present when he led his troops back home at dawn and she had handed her mother the Aarti Thaal for his welcome. As she stood back, watching her mother do his aarti, smiling relieved at his injured and tired face, and her father reassuring her of his well-being, for the first time Ajbante Kanwar also noticed his other wives, standing behind her mother, dressed up, equally happy at his arrival, eagerly waiting for their turns to greet him. It did not escape her keen observation that some of her stepmothers looked mildly disappointed when he ordered her mother to come by his bed chambers with the balms from the Vaid and ordered her to see to the preparations for the w...

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...

See You Soon

Kunwar Partap entered the relatively quiet stable premises at the break of dawn checking on Bijli who was asleep, when he heard the sound of anklets near the cow shed. He walked up to the entrance of the stable, from where he could see her, her dupatta placed loosely over her wet hair, devoid of jewellery the way he never saw a royal lady, with a basket of flowers in one hand and a plate of sweets on the other. She was distributing sweets to the cow keepers, veterinarians and everyone who came by on the occasion of Lakshmi giving birth to her calf. “What will you name her, Hukum?” an old man asked. She smiled shyly, pressing her lips together. “Mandakini, Kakasa.” The old man smiled at her suggestion. “Like the kund? Very nice.” Kunwar Partap walked up to Lakshmi’s shed only after most people had dispersed to their work. Ajbante Kanwar heard footsteps behind her and turned with the plate that now had one sweetmeat left. Alarmed at his sight and at the lack of options she could offer fr...

Touch of Reality

“Baisa, there is a letter for you.” Kasturi, Rajkumari Ajbante Kanwar’s personal attendant, had a scroll in her hand as she frowned. The only people who wrote to her were her friend Saubhagyawati and Daata from war. Both of them were in Bijoliya. She took the scroll from Kasturi as a shiver ran down her spine. Rao Ramrakh Punwar attended the celebration of Rajkumari Padmavati's grand wedding. He had come home and told stories of the grandeur. He had received a sweetmeat gift to take back home as well. As the children indulged in it, Ajbante Kanwar had thought that maybe the celebration had caught up with Kunwar Partap and he was unable to write the letter he had promised. But a week had passed since the Bidai entourage had left Bijoliya and she had not heard from him. Ajbante Kanwar cursed her expectations of taking his words literally and found herself in tears one night. She had been scared when she realised that the lack of communication hurt her. She attributed it to he...

Survival

Ye woh dandal hai ke jisse Tu nikalega mujhko Tu hi rakshak Tu hi sathi mera. "Pishima." Prabhavati applied oil on Sadhana Debi's knees as she spoke "I was wondering, now that the Bouma is here to take care of the house, the Roy Chowdhury mansion will no longer miss Didi." She smiled faintly "After her, things would fall apart… if not for Trilochan da…" Sadhana shook her head. "It's been two days. Don't even compare them to Shubhra." She almost snapped. "Especially that girl." Prabhavati looked up. "She acts like she has been caged. She is always interested more in the outside world of men. That's not a good sign." She shook her head. "There is a saying, Khay day Pakhiti boner dike Akhiti ." Sadhana fussed "She is like that." Prabhavati smiled silently. "Mejo Bouma is educated too, isn't she?" Sadhana looked suspicious. "I bet she will also be pushed to it. You know my mo...

Harsh Truths of Life

Ajbante Kanwar found herself by the Menal waterfall that made enough noise for her to not hear Kunwar Partap approaching with the horses. She was lost in thoughts. After two days of playing host to the royals of Bundi, yesterday the king had informed her father that they would start their journey to Chittorgarh early in the morning. As she snuck out of the palace she saw the pompous procession of elephants decorated with gold ornaments and horses with golden quilts over their seat being led out by the Bundi soldiers. The palace was awake earlier than she anticipated and she had to squeeze in a little time and excuse herself for her “prayers”. But as she sat by the waterfall she was unsure whether he could come. She looked up at the sky clearing into dawn as she sighed and shook her head. He must be preparing to leave. Rajkumari Ajbante Kanwar stood up, brushing her lehenga as she turned to leave. If she wasted more time, Daata would scold her. She had not worn her warrior attire u...

Prologue: Impulsive Hearts

1576 CE. The dark clouds circled over the Haveli of the Chieftain at Avadgadh, one of the unimportant posts on the western borders of Mewar, Rajputana. It was the arrival of the rainy season, with occasional downpours over the green veil of the Aravallis on the horizon and the streams that often meandered around the hills now surged like rivers. The monotonous life in the little settlement was stirred by the arrival of guests in the Haveli. It was not usual for the old chieftain to receive so many guests, especially women and it sparked curiosity and rumours among the villagers. Who were these people? Some of them looked like royal ladies and some not. In the inner palace of Avadgadh, on a balustrade that was designed with Jali, nymphs adorning its pillars that looked over the Aravallis in a distance, covered with dark clouds, the gusty wind blew the new curtains almost toppling a vase kept by the window. She caught it, alarmed, almost out of the force of habit to be alert about her su...

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...

Life and You

" Maharanisa! Maharanisa!" The Daasi ran through the quiet Rani Mahal as Jaivanta Bai who was sitting in front of the Lord in her room ever since she was back, rushed out of her room followed by Sajjabai and Veerbai. " What happened?" She asked, her voice calm, but her heart thumping. " Kunwarsa is here... with Kunwarani... She... She...." The Daasi sobbed as Jaivanta Bai rushed to the room. She stood at the door as her eyes couldn't believe what she saw. Kunwar Pratap was soaked in her blood as he laid her down on the bed shouting " Jaldi. Rajvaidya..." His eyes stopped at the door as Jaivanta Bai rushed to be beside the unconscious Ajabde. The Daasis and Sevaks were running about soon enough. SajjaBai gasped at the scene. So much blood. Kunwar Pratap hadn't noticed anything except her calm unconscious face. Now he looked down at his blood-soaked hands, red, he stared at them as though in a trance. " Kunwar Pratap! Tell me what happ...

RAABTA

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