Invisible String

It is often said to be careful about what one asks for. The universe always listens. It grants wishes in its twisted ways of fate. When Pratap RSVPed Shaurya and Asha’s anniversary invitation stating Chetna as his plus one, little did he know he was going to see Ajabdeh again but a tiny hope in him wished he did. Honestly, he had no idea if he would end up meeting her. A few months ago he would have said a rehearsed apology but now all he wanted was just to be able to see her again even if it was for once. Even if it was from a distance he just wanted to make sure she was doing well. There was some part of him that felt like their story was far from over even when he wished not to hurt her. But he knew in these months that the feeling he had dreaded and avoided was undeniable. Pratap was in love with Ajabdeh.

The cocktail-themed party meant music, drinks and a lot of dancing. Pratap suddenly found no interest in all of that especially since his cousins bugged him to share the dance floor with Chetna. Their pictures had made quite the buzz on social media and everyone was talking about when they would tie the knot. After all, he had rarely been seen with the same woman more times than one. He had kept up more appearances alongside her in charities and awards to please his mother. He often wondered if Ajabdeh saw them, and what she thought of them. A part of him wished she saw through his fake smiles and poses. Reached out to him. He wore a rimless pair of glasses to appear more serious now that he had taken over all of the company’s commitments while Jaivanta indulged herself in some wedding planning. The stubble he has recently started maintaining was an attempt to repel Chetna who exclaimed one fine day that she did not like stubbles. He had not tried to date her, know her or even stay a night. He wondered why she was still there and investigated her background to yield nothing. Whatever her reasons were she hid them well.

The moment eyes met across the dance floor, Pratap felt like he had travelled back in time to the pub and the dance floor. Things had changed. She did not smile as often as she did earlier. Her laughter did not reach her eyes. She wore an olive green saree today and her dance partner was one of the guys who was probably Asha’s cousin. She froze momentarily when she saw him across the dance floor and then her eyes travelled to Chetna briefly. Then she walked off the floor, out of his sight.

“Excuse me.” He left Chetna stranded and confused and walked out looking for her. He finally found her on one of the Gazebos, smoking a cigarette as he sighed before approaching her.

“So you do smoke.” He was unsure of what to say. Ajabdeh exhaled and glanced over her shoulder at him.

“What do you want?” Her tone was monotonous.

“I looked for you everywhere and even went to your old address but you blocked me and moved away. And…” Pratap stopped at her faint smile.

“I do not think I should let you know what I do in my life.” Her words were firm. “How can I be of service now?” Her taunting tone made his throat feel dry.

“I wanted to apologise for my behaviour that day and whatever Ranima...”

“It has been months. Everyone moved on.” She shrugged as she put the cigarette out. “Excuse me.”

Pratap stopped her by blocking her way. “No, you are not going until you forgive me. I have not moved on. It haunts me that all you have been is nice to me and I could not return you the little respect you deserve.” He was firm.

“Fine.” She shrugged looking away. “I forgive you, happy?” She was about to stop when he held her back by her wrist. “Now can I leave?”

“Do you even know what I am here for?” He asked with a frown. Ajabdeh turned to free her hand from his.

“No, I don’t and it doesn’t matter to me. You are nobody in my life. Your words mean nothing to me.” Her eyes met his and twinkled. “So excuse me I better leave before I suffocate in the same air as yours.”

“Tell me the truth that you knew I would be here and you came anyway because a part of you wanted to see me the same way I wished to see you.” Pratap held her shoulder as he spoke and Ajabdeh jolted his hands away.

“ In your dreams.”

“And your nightmares?” Pratap raised his eyebrows as a sudden deja vu hit them. He could suddenly hear his name announced as she looked away.

“There. You have been summoned. All the best for your life.” She walked away as Pratap inhaled.

Ajabdeh had left as soon as Jaivanta took the stage and announced her son’s engagement to Chetna to friends and family. She suddenly felt his glance at her, like he expected her to react, to be sad or angry. Why did he after all this time find satisfaction in her reaction and misery? What a douche. For a moment Ajabdeh wanted to believe he did look for her. She had changed cities for the new job. She wanted to get away from everything old. The city reminded her of him. She needed a new start. But he was right, when she accepted the invite a part of her wanted to see him. Wanted to see if he was truly happy like the pictures claimed. A part of her craved a closure she never received. She perhaps imagined his sad eyes twinkling a little when he held her, or that he wished her to tell him the truth about her feelings as if he was going to do something about it. She shook her head at her delusions.

“Ajabdeh?” She turned to find a familiar face she could not place in the parking lot.

“I am sorry but how do I know you?” She asked cluelessly. The woman smiled.

“I am Vidhi. I was on the Goa trip with… umm… Pratap…” She nodded. Ajabdeh’s brows shot up. Of course, Vidhi.

“How do you know me?” She asked as Vidhi chuckled awkwardly.

“Well, this is awkward…” Vidhi smiled “But I...” Ajabdeh’s face turned visibly pale as Vidhi narrated the incidents of the night.

“I was bothered about who this Ajabdeh might be who he imagines when with me… When I saw you at the wedding I did not feel the need to approach you. I had no idea what your equation was with him and did not want you to feel uneasy. But now that he is engaged… we can laugh over it.” She smiled faintly as Ajabdeh nodded and excused herself to rush to her cab.

Ajabdeh had woken up in the morning with a heavy head from all the crying and sleep deprivation. What Vidhi said seemed to play on her mind in a loop. If she was being truthful, why was Pratap quiet when she accused him of disrespecting her? Ajabdeh realised she never mentioned to him the way she felt about everything. Sharing her feelings was never her forte. It is too late. She tossed the pillow aside in frustration. She needed to stop thinking about him. He was engaged to someone else. He was officially taken. But seeing him made her feel a strange longing. Like she could feel there was more between them than she could comprehend. It does not matter anymore. She walked out of her room to find her father had gone out for a jog. The morning paper was laid neatly on the dining table and the supplement headline read “ Diamond Heiress to marry Business Royalty.” She tossed the paper away and started to get ready for the day.

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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

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

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

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

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

Love Struck

A new dawn was about to break in Mewar. Kunwar Pratap shifted in his bed, as the lamp shone in the darkness. He was now facing her sleeping figure. Her hand rested on the pillow between them, the pillow he chose to keep there in the first place but now it seemed like the symbol of the distance he wanted to bridge between their hearts. He stared at it lost in thoughts. I promised myself to make you mine, But how? What if you... He stared at the sleeping figure admitting in silence that no one, even the bravest enemy scared him like her calm composed self did. I am thinking like a typical husband. He smiled. What to do now Ajabde? I am terrible with my words unlike you. Pratap Singh! You need to learn a few things! He looked back at the ceiling in his thoughts. What if I drop hints? She knows me so well, maybe she will understand without me actually speaking for myself. The thoughts made his face light up. Yes, Yes that will be perfect. Let's try this. But... First thing first... so

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

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

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