ZINDA HAR PYAAR RAHE

“So here is where Maharana Pratap met his wife Maharani Ajabdeh Baisa and years later her brothers would fight alongside him in Haldighati.” Roshni stopped as the group applauded.
“We never knew such a small place was so significant.” One of the elderly people in the group spoke.
“And he also has such a wonderful love story.” One of the younger ones gushed. Roshni smiled.
“Thank you for being a part of my heritage walk. Do give your reviews and sign up online if you want a tour of Kumbhalgarh and Haldighati for the same.” She greeted them.

Excusing herself as her phone buzzed she checked her message and smiled. Turning to the guide she spoke in Mewari, “Take the guests back to the hotel and drop me off at Menal.” “But isn’t your next walk at Chittorgarh?” The man asked. “Yes.” She nodded “But my fiancee is working there so I have to go see him.” she smiled. “I will go there afterwards with him and return to Udaipur together.”

The ASI had cordoned off the Mahanal group of temples and Math at Menal for restoration work and Pratap sat on a rock staring at the waterfalls behind the temples absentmindedly. There was still a lot of restoration work that needed to be done and they had five days. He looked at the phone and smiled. Roshni was so passionate about her storytelling and heritage walks across Chittor, Bijoliya and Kumbhalgarh that they barely found time to spend with each other. So when she offered him to move in with her at Udaipur he was more than happy to. Convincing the mothers that they wanted to wait for some time and do some meaningful work before getting married was a hard task, but both of them had always been stubborn when it came to their relationship. He heard her approach as he turned with a smile and Roshni sulked.
“I should stop wearing these anklets. You always get to know when am here.” She frowned as he smiled.
“I would still know you are here, I always do.” He patted gesturing at her to sit on the rock beside him as she did so in silence.
“The walk went well.” She spoke as he nodded.
“Doesn’t it always?”
“I hope it increases intrigue on Bijoliya.” She spoke softly as he held her hand in his.
“Well, you are doing a good job at it.” he smiled. “But have you called the therapist?”
“Yes. I informed her that I have stopped having the dreams and I sleep peacefully now.” She smiled. “And there are no more flashes and deja vu.”
“What did she say?” he asked, tightening his grip on her hand.
“That the treatment was a success then.” Roshni smiled back faintly.
“Maybe it was.” his voice faded.
“Maybe.” She kept her head on his shoulder as their fingers entwined and she smiled.

The sun set behind the waterfalls in a beautiful red hue like that of vermillion in the hairline of a new bride as they sat in silence. The wind whispered in their ears the tales of love, hope and sacrifices it had witnessed through decades and eras. Only a few like them could decipher its words and hear it speak as their breath, heartbeats and the waterfalls made music in perfect sync.

The End

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