Classes

Tere Kismat teri haaton

Se hi likhi jayegi.

Bondita walked into the study in the early hours of dawn to find Aniruddha ready in his casual shirt and trousers. He did look like a teacher as he was setting up a blackboard across the couch with a pen in his mouth. Standing at the threshold with her pencil and copy in hand, Bondita's wet hair fell over the side of her bottle green cotton saree as she cleared her throat prompting him to look up at her. He removed the pen from his mouth and directed her with a hand gesture towards the couch.

"Did you go to the pond again?" He asked with his back to her, writing something down on the blackboard. She bit her lips.

"I thought you were sleeping." She was quick to defend. "I didn't want to disturb you."

"You can use the washroom without disturbing me. Now you are making excuses to go to the pond. Is it because you meet your friends there?" His voice was unusually different and stern. She looked up at his serious face.

"No. Barrister Babu. I swear. I just thought…"

"You are not going there under any circumstances, you understand?" He spoke sternly, pointing his finger again. Bondita nodded.

"Those men are creeps." He spoke under his breath.

"Should we start?" Bondita opened her copy and looked up at him. He nodded.

"So in the English Language'' "A" is the first letter. Like we spell AA" he spoke as she copied.

"Then there is ''B" like' 'Boh" in our language." She looked up.

"Then "C" for…"

"It's like our language only jumbled up?" Her words made him smile.

"No Bondita. It's a different language altogether. Not jumbled up." He looked amused. "We will do the first five letters today. Okay?"

She nodded.

"Tell me, do you know any English words?" He asked. She nodded. "I know some."

"Okay." He walked around the room. "Tell me something with Aa?"

"Almirah." She pointed.

"Apple?" He said.

"Ashtray." She said as he raised his brows. "I heard it from your father." She was quick to add.

"Amazing!" He smiled.

"Aniruddha?" She pointed her finger at him in excitement and her smile faded as he looked taken aback. "I am sorry. I am so sorry."

"No. No. You are right. That starts with A." He agreed.

"Do you know the meaning of your name?" She asked, closing her copy as he looked up from the book.

"Pardon?" He asked.

"Your name. The meaning. Bondita means someone who can't be bound. It also means to be worshipped." She said smartly.

"I don't know the meaning of my name. Neither do I want to. Here is your homework." He stopped at her disapproving glance.

"Why do you not want to know?" She asked. "You should always ask what you don't know. There is no shame in not knowing. It is shameful if you are blissfully unaware."

Aniruddha closed the book and stared at her, frustrated.

"Okay, fine. Tell me. Tell me what Aniruddha means."

"It means someone who can't be stopped. Free willed."

"And where did you learn that?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Kaka." She giggled.

"Now should we study?" He opened the book again.

"Yes, Sikhshak Babu." She agreed. He shook his head.

It was when Bondita was stacking her books that Saudamini walked in looking for Aniruddha. She was a bit disappointed that he wasn't alone, and it clearly showed on her face as Aniruddha observed.

"Pari Didi! Subho Sokal. Let me get you some tea." Bondita ran off leaving Aniruddha alone with Saudamini in the study. Right outside the door, he could hear her instruct Koeli to prepare extra breakfast for Pari didi. He inhaled remembering Somnath's words.

"What brings you here so early in the morning Mini?" He asked, erasing the board.

"Binoy Uncle didn't tell you?" She asked, surprised.

"Tell me what?" He inquired.

"I enrolled us in the Annual Ball at Calcutta. It is a couple-entry event where the Viceroy comes. It's only for the elitist of the elites. Baba got us passes." She stood up. "Now all I need is for you to teach me how to dance a ball." She sounded excited. Aniruddha turned to face her. "Me?" He asked unsurely.

"Yes, you. Binoy Uncle told me you learnt it in Kingston." Saudamini smiled. Aniruddha looked away as Bondita brought in tea and cookies.

"C'mon Aniruddha, it will be a fun party." Saudamini smiled.

"What's a party?" Bondita asked, staring at Saudamini's excited face.

"It's where men and women…" Saudamini started to explain.

"It's not something kids should know." Anirudha interrupted.

"Who is a kid?" Bondita looked disappointed.

"You are." He crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows.

"No, I am not." She retorted.

"Aniruddha, she is fifteen. Aren't you?" Saudamini asked as Bondita nodded. "Besides I was only going to tell her about Ball dancing."

"Ball dancing?" Bondita asked. "What's that Pari Didi?"

"It's a type of dance." Bondita looked excited at that.

"Do people dance with Balls?" Aniruddha looked amused at her words. "like in a circus?"

"No Bondita," Aniruddha spoke up. "The Ballroom is an oval-shaped room meant for a particular type of dancing," he explained.

"Will you dance?" She asked excitedly. "Can I see?"

"Sure. You can watch us practice." Saudamini smiled. Aniruddha looked at the ladies helplessly.

"Okay, I can manage some time in the afternoon." He said. "But I don't guarantee I will go. I can teach you."

"Can I learn too?" Bondita asked, amazed. "I never tried dancing."

"No Bondita." Saudamini shook her head. "It's very difficult to learn but you can watch us. It is about teamwork, catching each other's rhythm and understanding."

"I can watch and learn." She looked eager.

"I need to go." Aniruddha walked away.

"Did you ask for me?" Trilochan looked up from work to find Bondita standing there.

"Yes. I saw Saudamini leave. Do you know why she was here?"

"To learn dancing." Trilochan frowned at her words. "What? Who teaches dancing at my house? Ram Ram Ram Ram!"

"Oho." Bondita tapped her forehead with her palm. "None. She and Barrister Babu are going to some party."

"Party?" He looked irked.

"Yes, they said it's dancing for grown-ups." Bondita smiled.

" What is happening in this house?" Trilochan shook his head.

"I said I want to learn too." Trilochan stopped at her words.

"What did they say?" He asked eagerly.

"He said I am a kid." Bondita made a disappointed face.

"Insist on him. You can argue." Trilochan made her look up. "Has it ever happened that you wanted to learn something and someone could say no?"

Trilochan smiled. There was no way Aniruddha would teach her if he said so. He was stubborn. Trilochan was aware of it. But instigating Bondita helped. She would follow them around while they practised.

Bondita's eyes lit up. She would learn something new.

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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

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

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

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

Friends?

Early morning, Ajabde walked into Saubhagyawati’s house as the Panditji looked relieved. “Baisa you are here now I don’t need to look after anything.” She walked into Saubhagyawati’s room and found her braiding her hair nervously. Her lehenga looked beautiful and only the maangtika was about to be put so Ajabde did the honours. Saubhagyawati held her hand and took a deep breath. “Ajabde have a confession.” “What is it Bhago?” She looked worried. “Are you scared?” “No no Ajabde it’s not that. I… met him… before…” “Whom?” “The one who is coming to see me.” She looked away scared. “What? How…” Ajabde looked at her with wide eyes. “woh… Both nights when I waited for you in the…” “Hai Bhagwan Bhago! What if he says that seeing you in front of your father?” Ajabde spoke up as Bhago looked shocked. Why didn’t she think that before? “What will we do now?” Bhago asked worriedly. Ajabde was lost in thoughts. No way could people know. The groom had arrived with

Unsaid

" Keep the Lehenga in this one, that jewellery in the box." Jaivanta Bai was ordering around. Kunwar Shakti entered with an equally stunned Kunwar Pratap at the scene as the hall turned into a mini market thanks to their mothers. " Kunwar Pratap is here." Dheerbai smiled at the duo as she walked up to them. " Choti ma what are all these?" He asked. " Shagun!"Sajjabai answered excitedly."For Kuwaranisa. She will be blessed with these for the Sagaai. " " What Sagaai ?" "Your engagement , aree , no one told him?" Sajja was surprised. " The four of us are choosing separate gifts of our own choice for your bride, Kunwarsa come and see." Veer Bai urged. " The sagaai is in three days, followed by the wedding on the seventh, Rajpurohitji had said," Dheerbai spoke up as Pratap stared right at his mother. She seemed happy. " What happened, Kunwar Pratap? Do you have doubts?" Dheerbai smiled sw

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

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.

RAABTA

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