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.

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Purnota: Chapter Forty

“ Ei Bondita,” Asha called her from the stairs as Bondita placed down some papers Aniruddha wanted from the office and was leaving the house. “Come up to my room.” She waved. “ Aschi, Boudi.” Bondita walked up to her room, removing the waistcoat from over her Kurti. She sat down on the edge of Asha’s bed and closed the door. Bondita looked perplexed. “What… is wrong?” “Where is Dadabhai? Is he here?” Bondita shook her head. He was probably still working. “Sir.” The newly recruited junior knocked on the chamber door of Aniruddha’s office as he looked up from the screen. “Your father is here.” Aniruddha frowned a little at his words. Binoy never visited the office. He asked the man to bring him in. Binoy walked in, in a polo-necked navy blue t-shirt over a pair of beige pants, as Aniruddha observed him remove his glasses and look around. “What brought you here?” He enquired after waiting a little in vain for him to speak. “Just came by… for a chat.” Binoy sat down on the seat acros...

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...

RAABTA

Search This Blog