TU HI APNA PARAYA

Jivanta glanced over to the hospital bench opposite hers, where Pratap sat, his eyes fixed on the corridor where they had wheeled Roshni to the ICU. She couldn’t understand anything. She had asked Roshni, and she had repeated there was no… what irked Jivanta was how she was genuinely concerned about a man she barely knew, who caused her so much humiliation. She didn’t give herself credit for being so kind or weak. She found a woman around her age approach, Pratap, as he got up at her sight, and hugged her tight.

“It will be fine.” The woman whispered as Pratap let out what Jivanta thought was a sob. Did he love Roshni that much? Jivanta sighed, trying to look away from them as Pratap brought the woman over to her.

“This is my mother.” He spoke, his voice still hoarse. Jivanta looked up at the woman, who smiled faintly. “Roshni is a strong child; she will be fine.” Hansa sat down beside Jivanta as Pratap went to get them some tea, while they talked.

“Did you… meet her?” Jivanta asked after an awkward silence.

“Only once did she come home. But honestly, I didn’t think they are…” Hansa stopped with a smile. “But then, he never brought any girl home I should have known.”

“I don’t understand anything,” Jivanta confessed, a little puzzled. “I asked her and she said she had nobody. She never mentioned him and…”

“As far as I know, they met on her Chittorgarh trip.” Hansa smiled.

“But that was… recently?” Jivanta raised her eyebrows as Hansa nodded.

“But you know what they say about love. Time doesn’t matter because soulmates travel with each other through seven lives.” Hansa’s words made Jivanta look up and ask, almost sarcastically, “You believe in love and all that?”

“Why not?” Hansa shrugged, “It is perfectly plausible. I had loved once. Yes, he left us early because he had no choice, but I know in my heart he loved me, and who knows, he is probably waiting for me somewhere.”

“You sound saintly. Almost perfect to be true.” Jivanta shook her head. “I don’t know. I know nothing about him or them to give my blessings.”

“That is justified, so make a choice only after you have heard them out. Once Roshni is better.” For the first time, Hansa saw Jivanta look weak as she sighed and choked, saying, “They said there was a lot of blood loss…”

“She will be fine,” Hansa reassured her. “My sister-in-law used to say, Love is the strongest force of nature. It makes mothers. It can never be weak. The strength of your love and his is with Roshni.” Jivanta wiped her tears and inhaled.

“Your sister-in-law seems wise.”

“She was, she was widowed at eighteen, but never had I heard her complain. One day, she just renounced everything and left. Pratap used to be around her all the time. I may not vouch for my upbringing, but I can vouch for hers. Meera didi’s Pratap would never wrong your daughter.” Jivanta nodded silently at Hansa’s words as Pratap offered them tea. He was relieved to see Jivanta was a little less uptight with him since his mother arrived. After an hour, a nurse came looking for the family and said she had regained consciousness. A relieved Jivanta wiped her tears in a smile and turned to see Pratap wipe his tears as she made up her mind. Jivanta realised that the love she had heard of, resented and saw Hansa believe in was something she had never felt before. Her parents resented her as a daughter, and her husband never loved her. She tried to be as little affectionate towards Roshni as possible. Love hurt her and made her weak, and she believed Roshni should be prepared for the worst of it. She didn’t realise that the same love made her a protective mother, and gave her the will to live for her child’s better future, and there was no way she could deny Roshni her chance at love.

“Go and see her.” Her words startled Pratap as he looked at his mother, who nodded and smiled.

His touch on her cheeks gently woke her up. Roshni blinked as her vision cleared, and she could see him smiling even with his bruises.

“Are you hurt?” She asked, a little alarmed, as he shook his head.

“I didn’t expect you would come.” She spoke softly. "But I hoped..."

“I wasn't sure I would either.” He shook his head.

“Then why did you?” Roshni asked, with raised eyebrows. Pratap smiled faintly.

“Because I felt like this is not the first time I was losing you, and I couldn't stand that empty feeling." His eyes shone as she smiled faintly,"... and I had to tell you something, and take you somewhere.” Roshni looked puzzled at his last words.

“And what made you think I’d go with you?” She raised her eyebrows slightly and realised her head hurt. She winced as he looked concerned for a moment.

“I don’t know. I still don’t know what I feel and what I do and why I do it…” he confessed.

“Maasa?” She asked worriedly.

“She is the one who sent me here.” He reassured her, holding her hand, with a smile as she sighed in relief.

“What do we do now?” Roshni asked, confused. “Tell the world our story?”

“Is our story here and now?" His voice seemed distant, and she felt a shiver down her spine. "No. It was there before this life, and it will continue after us." She smiled faintly as her teary eyes made him wipe away the droplets before they reached her cheeks, " We keep our story within us and give them a story they would believe in.” Pratap shook his head. “Not all stories are meant for the world to understand. You know who used to say that?”

“Meera Ma?” Roshni guessed.

“Yes, she talked of how humans are capable of all kinds of love. Like that of her namesake Mira Bai and her Giridhar. Hidden from the world was love, so deep that even Cupid was jealous.” Roshni nodded at Pratap, “So we tell them we met at Chittorgarh?”

“And fell in love at Bijoliya,” he nodded with a smile. “Where is the lie?”

“So… that’s it? How does it start?” Roshni asked, suddenly a little awkward as he smiled at her.

“It starts here… with… I love you, now, forever and beyond this life.” Pratap gently kissed her forehead as her eyes sparkled. “And I am never giving up on us.”

“I love you too, and I am not giving up either.” Roshni agreed.

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...

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 Four

Aniruddha tapped his black loafers on the Italian marble floor of the entrance as he eyed his watch. It was almost half past five. He checked himself in the full-size mirror beside the coat hanger, looking fresh as he shaved and bathed, set his hair, chose a white summer blazer over his black shirt and trousers and abandoned the idea of a tie. He cleaned his glasses with the handkerchief, contemplating whether he should knock at Asha’s door, telling Bondita to hurry. He wondered what the women were doing there for such a long time. He could hear them giggling and gossiping as he walked past the room. He wondered what huge deal a party was that a woman needed another to help her dress up. He took out his phone and wondered if he should call her downstairs instead to avoid the awkwardness of knocking on the door. It was then that Aniruddha heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up in a reflex. He would give her a piece of his mind for wasting precious moments, especially when they...

AAYA TERE DAR PAR DEEWANA

Pratap was outside the gates of Meera Girls College in Udaipur by the next afternoon, unsure of whether to go in and ask for her. He spotted a few girls walking out, and one of them kept staring at him suspiciously before approaching him. He stood in his spot, still awkward as she asked, “Aren’t you that ASI guy that Roshni met?” “I… what?” Pratap narrowed his eyes “I am sorry, I don’t remember you.” “I am Mahek.” The girl waved her hand and smiled, “I was with her at Chawand.” “Oh, I see.” Pratap sighed. “I found some information that might help her …err… project.” He stopped at Mahek’s suspicious frown. “So I thought…” “You came all the way here to give her some information about her project?” Pratap cursed himself inwardly. Indeed, that sounded lame when she repeated it. “Why didn’t you call her?” “I…” He cleared his throat “I lost her number, so… I was hoping that she would be interested in an on-field internship…” “Oh, wait, I will give you her number. But she isn’t here, and I do...

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...

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...

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 ...

Purnota: Chapter Forty Five

Aniruddha stared at the clock on his chamber wall for the third time and verified its working condition by checking it with his watch. He had asked Bondita to come to his chambers at six. It was almost six-ten and there was no sign of her. The peon he had sent to call her in had also left. He wondered if she had gone home earlier than usual. But then would she not have informed him? He eyed the partnership deed he had prepared to be signed, going through the terms one last time before he decided to go downstairs and see where she was for himself. As soon as Aniruddha got up, taking the coat from behind his chair to go, gathering the paperwork of the deed, a knock resonated on the door as he straightened his glasses and found his most professional voice to ask her to come in. Bondita looked a little breathless as though she had run up the stairs and apologised in a hurry, “Sorry, sorry… Meghna had some issues with her computer.” “There is a tech guy for that.” He narrowed his brows slig...

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 ...

Embracing Truths

Rana Udai Singh had sent his Senapati Kunwar Partap back to Chittorgarh because Dungarpur had summoned them to the battlefield. How did a friendly visit culminate in a war? Rumours spread faster than wildfires in Mewar. Rana Udai Singh was attending a Mehfil where he liked one of the King’s best dancers. He wanted to take her back to Chittorgarh, and the king, who took pride in art, refused to part with his best dancer. Udai Singh, at the height of intoxication, abused the king, insulted his dynasty and almost forced the dancer girl to follow him, leading to an altercation. What he expected now was for Kunwar Partap to lead an army to Dungarpur, wage a war and force the king to apologise. Kunwar Partap was appalled by what he heard from the soldier. Could the Rana not understand that he could not make any more enemies? He asked his troops to prepare to leave and informed Raoji. Ajbante Kanwar ran down the corridor to her chambers as fast as she could. She did not care if anyone saw her...

RAABTA

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