Protidaan: Chapter Thirteen

It was Bibha I would be forever grateful to for walking into my room in the morning. She looked stressed and sleepless and wanted to have a word with me. I shook my head murmuring “Not now” as I hid my head in some papers, trying to appear busy. Bibha refused to leave.

“It is about Lata.” She finally said. I looked up at her quite irked.

“Oh, did she send you here to advocate for her?” I taunted Bibha. She shook her head.

“I don’t want people to misunderstand her because of me.” Her words made me frown.

“Because of you?” I asked. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t tell you. Lata will. Hear her out.” Her eyes travelled to the door where she stood, behind the curtain. I inhaled.

“Bibha if this is one of your tricks to…”

“It is not, shotti bolchi Dada. Hear it from her. It is not what you think.” She didn’t wait for me to protest as she ran away and Lata stood at the threshold. I looked away back into my papers. She was still at the threshold, as I eyed her.

“Will you need a mic to explain things to me from there?” I scolded prompting her to come inside the room.

“You said you didn’t want to see me.” She complained softly, her voice choking in her tears.

“It is too late for that, isn’t it?” I shrugged without sparing her a glance. She stood there for a while. “Will you speak up?” I said again. The suspense was killing me. A part of me wanted details. Details of who this person was, how they met and what made Lata like him. Another part of me wanted to distance myself from all of this and concentrate on how it might affect her future.

She looked intimidated and unsure. She eyed the doorway twice before whispering that the letter was not hers. I wasn’t sure what she meant. Did she think all of us are fools? It was found in her notebook by Kakima. The obvious question was who did it belong to.

“Didi.” She murmured almost in a whisper.

“WHAT?” I stood up from my chair as she stepped back a little intimidated.

“First promise me you won’t scold her.” Lata looked up, teary-eyed. I frowned disturbed. She was facing everyone’s wrath quietly for Bibha? It made no sense. Why would she do that? Who did Bibha correspond with? She narrated the tale of the teacher to me, in sugar-coated words, making him sound almost perfect. I immediately wondered what she left out or perhaps she was repeating the exact words Bibha taught her. Now I was disappointed in both of them. I walked away leaving her, still in tears in the middle of my room. I needed to think.

I was about to take a walk to clear my head that day when I saw Lata’s Kaka in Thamma’s presence.

“Her Kakima tells me we should look for a groom.” I stopped at his words and eyed Thamma’s unreadable face.

“She is studying now.” Thamma shook her head, raising her brows. I walked towards them.

“Yes but such things spread rumours and…” Kaka stopped at my sight and was about to get up to greet me when I stopped him.

“That is no solution,” I said, making Thamma look up at me with a frown. “I will talk to her and make sure she learns a lesson. Such things won’t be repeated. I take the responsibility for it.” I spoke as Thamma frowned some more.

“But, do you know who it was for?” Kaka asked, a little disturbed. I shook my head. He left soon after. Thamma stopped me as soon as he was gone.

“Do you know something?” She asked suspiciously. “What Lata had done..”

Was to save your honour… I wish I could tell her that. Instead, I reassured her that it wasn’t Lata’s. It was her friend’s. That wasn’t Lata’s handwriting. Thamma nodded, partially convinced. She told me to scold her about the bad company. I couldn’t tell her further so I walked away.

That evening I summoned Bibha to the library when everyone was done with dinner. I rebuked her for being an emotional fool, for believing everything a man said, and reminded her of our status and class are very different from his. For the first time in my life, I saw her protest. She said he loved and honoured her and would go to any lengths for her. I slapped her. I had never raised my hand to her before. She was always the most pampered in the house. Her sudden rebellious streak scared me. I was responsible for looking after them. What would I tell Dada if he ever came to know of this? And Thamma? She would be so angry. Bibha stood there for a moment, not able to comprehend what had happened, and then she retorted back at me that I didn’t care for her. Only Lata understood her. I tried to check my voice and reason with her. The love she read of in books didn’t feed hungry stomachs nor give what one needed to survive. Before she knew it would fly straight out of the window. She smiled the most sarcastic smile I have ever seen.

“What do you know of love?” She had asked. I was quiet. Not because she was right. But because I wasn’t answerable to her. Yes, perhaps I was no fool in love like her. And my love has its limits. But for the three years that I knew and the many more before when I never realised, I had felt the feeling she was now familiar with. She shook her head, teary, and walked away as I tried in vain to stop her. I knew she wouldn’t listen to me.

I was in a way relieved to know that the letter wasn’t Lata’s. But Bibha? Was she naive enough to believe that they could have a potential future just because they liked each other? By midnight, lost in my thoughts I was sure of it. This man was after our family inheritance. He didn’t love Bibha. He just persuaded her to believe him. Naive as she was, she was easy prey to his plans. If only Bibha could meet someone worthy of her and see for herself that she deserved better. I stopped pacing. I needed to snap her out of this. It needed to be done before she left for Calcutta for her college.

Lata walked into my room the next morning putting the Panjabi down on the bed while I combed my wet hair in the mirror. She stood there prompting me to eye her through the reflection as she cleared her throat.

“What is it now?” I turned to face her.

“I… sewed your button back.” She said, looking away. I sighed. I remembered giving her the Panjabi. She sewed back all of Ananta and my missing buttons as Bibha never bothered and Thamma’s hands trembled nowadays.

“Umm… about the… letter…” She stopped as I glared at her.

“What now? You two have done enough already.” I rebuked.

“Meet him once.” Her words came almost sounding like a statement, not a plea. My brows shot up.

“You only tell me not to judge people before knowing them, Deb Da. If Didi likes him…” I had made her stop. I didn’t want to be part of this. I didn’t want to hear anything further on this topic, ever again. I made it clear to her and she shook her head, a little disappointed. I reminded her that instead of supporting Bibha’s stupidity she should have been wise enough to talk her out of it or perhaps let me know. She was quiet and looked away. Unlike Bibha she didn’t retort back. Instead, she kept saying I should meet a person before rejecting them. I ended up scolding her. That prompted her to walk away from my room.

I met the man the next week, in secrecy, in the forest just as Lata wanted me to.

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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

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

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

Love?

“I swear I can kill that Sakhaveer.” Balwant swung his sword at the Dangal as Ratan and Ajabde looked on. Ajabde hid a smile as Ratan looked amused. “Like you did last time?” Ratan’s chuckle made Ajabde press her hands with a soft no as Balwant stopped his sword and looked angry. “What do you know Ratan?” He roared angrily. “What do girls know anyways about fighting??” “Jija can fight better than you.” Ratan looked angry and defensive. “Ratan! Leave it.” Ajabde insisted. “No!! Jija, I saw you, you are better…” “Then let’s have a duel Jija.” Balwant insisted. “No.” Ajabde looked surprised and shaken. “It’s been such a long time since I have …” “No excuses Jija, teach him! That girls can be…” Ratan insisted as Balwant handed her a sword she took rather reluctantly. She tied the corners of her dupatta together and her braid in a bun. Kunwar Pratap was making his way out at the Dangal when he heard swords clash. He gathered the father-son duo would be at the Dangal

Chapter Two: Catastrophe

Abhaya was suffocating as she could now taste the soot and ash in her mouth. She could see the smoke engulf her. The boxes around her turned into shadows in the blurred vision. She opened her mouth to breathe but the choking air wanted to make her cough. She ran, stumbling upon some boxes and utensils towards the window on the other side. It was shut firmly and her weak hands could do little to move it an inch. She placed the end of her saree over her face and coughed, hoping not to be heard from the outside. The sound of chaos and footsteps outside was increasing. She heard a scream. Was it her mother? Her sister? Or one of the sisters-in-law? Were they escaping? Should she try too? She tried to find something to break the window with, but instead, she froze at the sight of flames entering through the cracks of the door she had shut behind her. Abhaya said a soft prayer. This is how it ends. This was not the country her father served. This was not the country her mother read stories o

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

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

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

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

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

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