Hijr: Epilogue

The year 2038.

Taraksh Chauhan, in charge of the Indus Saraswati Project by the Department of Archaeology and Museum, Pakistan, stepped out of his government car at the Partition Museum. He was greeted by his counterpart from the Archaeological Survey of India, Mr Shukla, and was led into the conference hall where the press awaited the much-hyped news about the deciphering of the Indus Valley Scripture. He was handed over the documents necessary for his signature as his eyes scanned the crowd of unknown faces among a few of his colleagues.

“Who is in charge of your script restoration department?” He asked Mr Shukla.

“Oh, that would be Mrs Khan.” He looked around for the person he was referring to in the crowd.

“Hoor?” The name made Taraksh’s hand stop at the point where the signature was needed. He looked up to follow Mr Shukla’s gaze as Hoor Inayat Khan pushed through the crowd and finally froze at his gaze.

“This is…”

“I know.” Taraksh made him stop. “I should have known.” A smile formed in the corner of his lip. “It was you.”

“I heard that your department corresponded a lot with my subordinates.” She smiled, extending her hand as he shook it firmly. Even after all the years, she realised she remembered his touch. It wasn’t somehow oddly alien to her. Hoor became conscious of her realisation. Taraksh broke the silence.

“So you just disappeared. I tried to establish contact.” He smiled as she nodded.

“I guess it was for the better.” She managed as his smile faded slightly.

“Right,” he nodded. “How is Mr Khan?” He made her look surprised.

“How did you…”

“Shukla Saab called you Mrs Khan,” he shrugged, as he took out his phone and held out the lock screen for her. “That’s Mrs Chauhan, Mira and Kabir.” Hoor smiled at the picture and back at him as she searched her purse for her phone. She unlocked it and searched her gallery, scrolling down for a while.

“And that is Mehr and her Abbu.” He nodded. He couldn’t help but observe how similar her daughter looked.

“So, shall we address the press now?” Taraksh asked as Hoor nodded, picking up the files. “After you.”

“As many of you know.” It was Mr Shukla who addressed the press as they sat side by side on the chairs arranged behind him “We have been trying to decipher the language of the Indus Valley for more than a hundred years now. On the hundredth year of the discovery of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, we decided to go beyond borders and join hands with our neighbours in the quest to find answers together. I would like to thank the Prime Ministers of both countries for agreeing to this…”

“So, we were right?” Taraksh leaned in and whispered. “They were letters?”

“And journals. We were right.” Hoor nodded. “My team has put some of them together to present before you.” She made him nod in approval.

After the press meet, the teams selected for the project were gathered in a private conference room where they were to give their own presentations to the other teams. Hoor nodded at her intern, who started the slide shows.

“So here we see… a series of letters that were discovered, and addressed by the same person.” She pointed at the similarity of letters. “We wondered if that meant that, like the ancient Sumerians, Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and all other ancient civilisations, the Indus people too exchanged contracts, letters or even kept accounts.” She stopped in the silent room and continued, “We have not been able to yet decipher all possible combinations of letters and script, but from what we have gathered, this looks like a letter from someone who addresses a person moving away.”

“Hijr,” Hoor murmured under her breath, as Taraksh eyed her with a frown.

“What was that, Mohtarma?” He made her smile.

“I said Hijr. It's a word that means the distance between lovers. When the pain of separation…” She stopped as the light of the projector shone on his eyes in the darkness of the room.

“I see…” He nodded, making her look away. “Sometimes it's choices and sometimes it's fate.” Hoor looked up at his words with a silent nod. The presentation continued.

“We don’t know if these people ever met again or not, but this piece of evidence can help us understand the movement of the natives and the Aryans through the different stages of the civilisation.”

“It's a rather sad thought.” Mr Shukla leaned in and whispered, “Maybe these were lovers who never met again.” Taraksh nodded. “I wonder what happened to them.”

“A poet would say their love didn’t care for reciprocation or distances, somewhere in a corner of their heart, it lived on.” Taraksh made Mr. Shukla smile.

“You seem like quite the Shayar.”

“But a practical head would say they forgot each other like we forget memories that were never to last and moved on,” Taraksh added. Hoor inhaled.

“Which one are you?” She asked as Taraksh smiled intentionally at her.

“Always the Shayar, Mohtarma, how about you?” He asked. Hoor smiled back.

“I guess someone I met once made me a Shayar too.”

The conference ended in two days. Due to tension between the two countries' political leaders, the high security didn’t allow any of the delegates to meet each other except at work. It was finally time to shake hands and bid adieu. Hoor walked up to Taraksh, who eyed her luggage. At that moment, he felt a strange deja vu. His heart sank as he felt like he was losing her all over again. Hoor smiled a smile that didn’t reach her otherwise sad eyes. He extended his hand for a shake, as Hoor slipped her card into his palm. Taraksh looked a little surprised as she read her card, which contained her phone number and email.

“If there is anything I learnt in two days, it is that some connections are not worth leaving to fate.” Hoor smiled melancholically. “Someday I would like our families to meet, and who knows, we can all be friends.” Taraksh nodded in silence.

The convoys with the tricolour and the green and white flags separated once again. But this time, two hearts knew they had started afresh, stronger than ever, and borders, destiny, and everything else man-made to separate them weren’t enough to keep their hearts apart even after all these years. They had a hard time accepting what they felt because it was against the norms of normal, even when they were loyal partners and good parents, yet meeting after years made them realise that some people, some stories and some feelings, no matter how alien to the world, were worth holding on to even at a distance.

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...

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. 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. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Eight

Trilochon was so overwhelmed that Binoy came for the Pujo and Kirtan on Dol Purnima. Their neighbours, friends and acquaintances had all gathered in the Thakur Dalan, first for the pujo when the idol of Sree Radha and Sree Krishna were worshipped in the Dalan, and Horir Loot of Batasha and Naru were distributed. Unlike in the village, people here, especially children, did not fight over the Horir Loot . Bondita and Batuk took part in the ritual like they used to as kids, counting the number of Batasha each of them had, amusing the elders who reminisced about their childhood and how Batuk snatched Bondita’s share and ran as she chased after him, shouting. The Kirtan followed the pujo, the tales of Sree Krishna’s prowess, his Leela and Radha’s sacrifice were sung with the sounds of Dhol and Khanjani . It followed the devotional songs praising Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his praises to Lord Krishna. Bondita not only liked the stories of Kirtan but also how the crowd joined in the singing and...

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!" ...

Purnota: Chapter Forty One

Kalindi stood looking at the Ganga in the distance as Trilochon watched her. It was later in the night, and the stars were veiling the clear summer sky. A cool breeze blew from the Ganga, relaxing Kalindi’s restless heart as she took a stroll. Trilochon had spotted her in the garden from his balcony and walked up to her. She did not turn as he came up behind her and cleared his throat. “I apologise for storming off like that.” He was the first to speak. Kalindi inhaled. “Have you heard that she went to borrow a saree from Bouma to wear to some party?” Kalindi spoke rather monotonously. “Yes, Bouma said so.” Trilochon cleared his throat. He left out the part where Asha enthusiastically told him about Bondita blushing and her idea of telling Bondita to confess her feelings. Instead, Trilochon added, “The senior is very influential. He can have some good contacts for Bondita. Perhaps enough for her to get a job in Kolkata, like you wanted.” Kalindi could hear through his unconvincing...

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...

Purnota: Chapter Forty Three

Trilochon and Kalindi were having tea in the morning in their living room when Binoy walked downstairs in his Pajama Panjabi, pipe in hand and found them. Watching him unusually in his home attire, Trilochon frowned. “Are you sick? I thought you had already left.” Binoy sat down on the single chaise chair beside the couch as Kalindi poured some tea for him. “ I told you, Dada, I am here to retire.” He said, putting his pipe in his pocket. “Today, Som is going alone. We will see how that goes.” Their conversation was interrupted by Asha coming into the house in a white and red saree, with a red sindoor Teep on her forehead. She had a basket with her, and Koeli was accompanying her as she offered them the sweets she had taken as Prasad. “Since it’s his first day at the new position, we went to the temple together.” Asha narrated to Kalindi. “He left for work from there.” “Do you not have school today?” Kalindi enquired as Asha shook her head. She smiled, eyeing Trilochon, who narra...

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...

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...

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 in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just sixteen, 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 ...

RAABTA

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