Anti Hero

One sip of the cocktail and she could feel the weight of the world slowly melt away in the music and laughter of the crowd. The deadlines and fresh start with new clients from Monday morning were a tedious job for her. Having a supervisor whom she detested did not make it any better to motivate her to work hard. But she needed the money she made to run the house. She initially refused to come to the pub with her friends because it was a Sunday. She could not afford a hangover. But they were not to listen to her excuses. She was glad they kept in touch to remind her of the good old days. Although they never judged her financial position, their offer to pay for the expensive places she could not afford anymore, and their success often rubbed her the wrong way her once she was home in the small two-bedroom rented apartment.

For the longest time in her life, she had believed that her father would turn things around. She believed it when he made poor business choices; she believed it when she had to leave their home for a small one, her elite school and all her friends for a decent private school, and finally, even when her mother left them for a richer husband. Her memories, the shouting, crying and betrayal still hurt her physically. Honestly, she pitied her father. He had been a good husband and father to them. Her mother abandoning them made her pity him even more. She was barely a teen, and he had been a hands-on dad to her.

She gulped down the glass and ordered another one, hoping to divert her mind to her dancing friends and the crowd around them. She allowed herself to slip back into the life she could have had now and then. She could drink, dance and pretend to be happy. “Ajab.” Her friend shouted near her ear to reach her over the music, drowning their voices. “Come dance.”

Adventure to the elite was weird. That is the conclusion Pratap drew from his friend's idea to hang out in a club below their usual crowd. It seemed too elitist and almost medieval for them to think of themselves as royals hanging out with their subjects for adventure. But he indulged. Because he knew once they were at the club, nobody bothered them. He could slip away whenever he wanted to, or if he found someone there, he could take her along to extend his night of adventure before forgetting about her the next morning. He had just managed to scan the room when his eyes fell on her on the dance floor. He eyed her keenly. She seemed to fit in, yet did not. Her black dress seemed to be a first copy of some designer brand, but the confidence she wore was unparalleled. Her wavy hair fell to her hips as they swung to the music. Her friend’s dance move made her chuckle. That was when Pratap noticed her smile was infectious.

Ajabdeh had just picked up her purse from the table and headed to the bar counter for another drink when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She glanced over her shoulder to find a well-groomed man in a casual black shirt and a pair of jeans smiling at her. Ajabdeh knew the drill. She smiled back, waving her hair away from her face a little flirtatiously. He would ask for a drink, then a dance and then, if the chemistry was sizzling enough, he would offer a ride to his place. She did not mind these momentary escapes where she pretended like she belonged. After all, she was a woman quite sorted between her needs and wants. She did not want a relationship. But she did have needs.

“Drinks?” She nodded as her eyes travelled to the watch on his wrist, which was an original limited edition.

“I will have whatever she is having.” Ajabdeh heard him tell the bartender.

“ I am…” Ajabdeh paused as he shook her head.

“No introductions.” He said as he took the drinks and directed her to an empty table.

“Pardon?” Ajabdeh raised her brows suspiciously.

“See, we will introduce ourselves, then after a memorable night, we will end up looking at each other’s social media. Then we will start judging each other, and what can end in a beautiful story will end up being another messy, bad choice.” Ajabdeh laughed, tilting her head a little much to his relief. He had tried this on other women who huffed and puffed and left.

“You find it funny?” He asked.

“No, just wondering; what if you are a serial killer?” She asked with an amused shrug. “What a shady thing to say to a woman you just met.”

“If I were a serial killer, would I pick up a girl who is out with her friends in front of so many witnesses? C’mon. Give my brain a little more credit than that.” He sipped the drink. It was lighter than his choice.

“I see. A true crime fan. Pleased to meet you.” Ajabdeh leaned forward as his eyes momentarily slipped from her face further down, and she smiled like she caught him off guard.

“Eyes up here.” She said, leaning back as he smiled faintly.

“Will that help accelerate the events of the night?” His question made her shake her head, slightly amused.

“I like how blunt you are.” She raised her glass. “To a memorable night and never seeing each other again.”

They clinked their glasses.

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

Purnota: Epilogue

“Hello?” Saudamini’s voice was heard on the other end of the telephone as Aniruddha breathed in. “Mini, this is Aniruddha.” “Oh, Ani, how are you? How is Bondita?” Her voice changed from doubtful to excited. Aniruddha was standing by the couch in the living room with a phone book on the coffee table and a sheet of paper with a guest list in his hand. The mention of Bondita made him involuntarily eye the visible corridor to the dining area, where he could hear her voice, instructing Koeli. Ever since the marriage, she seemed to have taken up the job of ordering everyone around the house like a true landlord, and even he was not spared from her occasional orders. That is exactly how he had landed on the couch with a phone book. “Umm… she is good. Everyone’s good. I’m calling because…” “Oh, do tell her I truly apologise for not attending the wedding. I know she was disappointed with me and thought it was some payback for her not attending mine.” An amused smile formed on Aniruddha’s lips ...

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...

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...

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!" ...

Protectors

Rao Surtan was at the Fort gates as the soldiers tried in vain to attack with arrows from above the towers. His troop was stronger and more competent than the one Balwant headed at the Bijolia Fort Gates. They had managed to hold the troops back for a day, but they feared they could no longer do so. “Break the door”, Surtan ordered the elephants. “Where is Ajabdeh?” Hansa looked around the cellar. “Jija!” Ratan exclaimed. “She was on the roof last time I saw her.” “Ajabdeh.” Hansa Bai opened the cellar door and stepped out, followed by Ratan, who was equally worried. “Stay back!” Sajja Bai called in vain as Jaivanta Bai too walked out and up the stairs to the corridors of the Rani Mahal in search of Ajabdeh. Surtan’s troop had entered the palace, and he made his way to the Rani Mahal. He was having different thoughts now. Killing Jaivanta Bai won't yield him anything… Maybe capturing a few young maidens… Ratan froze in the corridor, seeing the man approach. Behind...

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...

RAABTA

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