Skip to main content

Offerings

Ajbante Kanwar walked into the temple premises, a dupatta drawn over her head, carrying her basket of freshly picked flowers, when she spotted Kunwar Partap waiting by the entrance. Ajbante Kanwar was suddenly aware of the maids following her as she nodded at his smile, and he gestured at her to enter the temple. The maids stayed back outside the temple as the priest greeted them. He took the flowers from Ajbante Kanwar to make the day’s garland for the Lord as he stepped out, and they folded their hands in front of the Phallus God. 


“The Mahapuja happens on the grounds.” She made him nod as he followed her, keeping a distance of formality. Her anklets and kamarbandh had small tinkling bells on them that made music as she walked out of the temple shrine and pointed. “There the priests sit, here near the Kund, the women sit. Daata or whoever will conduct the puja sits under that Chatri. But you have to start here, bathe the Lord, offer prayers and then proceed to the Havan Kund. There will be a crowd that will go beyond the temple walls outside on the street to catch a glimpse of you.” She walked to the Chattri as he inspected the intriguing carvings of Lord Vishnu’s avatars on it. “They wait for the prasad to be distributed after the puja.”

“What happens in the Utsav after the Mahapuja?” He inquired. Ajbante Kanwar smiled at his curiosity. A dozen people are handpicked by Daata to set up their shops around the garden of the temple. They sell homemade goods, and the profit from those goes to charity. There is also a debate arranged for the Pandits, and people come by to attend the fair nearby. There is food and jugglers, and fire breathers. Banjarans dance too, I have heard.” He frowned at the last words. “You have heard? Have you never been there?” She shook her head. "The royals going there is an obligation for the people. My grandfather said they enjoy their freedom for the week, and we should let them.” He nodded at her words, contemplating.

“So you were never curious?” He asked. 

“Enough to sneak out in disguise? No.” There was a tone of amusement in her voice as he shook his head. “That was Shakti’s idea.” She nodded. “I must leave. Bijli will be waiting.” He nodded at her as she started walking away, asking the maids waiting by the temple to follow her.

“Wait… do the… umm… bangles still fit you?” Ajbante Kanwar looked almost amused at his clueless question. She shook her head. “They don’t.” He looked a little disappointed as she smiled coyly. “I still have them.” He looked up as she turned and walked away with the maids following her. He smiled to himself.


Rajkumari Ajbante Kanwar had just set her sword down by the riverbank and splashed her face with water. Today, after the rains had arrived at frequent intervals throughout the day, the stream had swelled, and she found it risky to cross to the other side with Bijli. So she practised her swordsmanship behind the temple, where Kunwar Partap once asked her to meet to tame Bijli. She was about to wipe her face when he appeared behind her, “Unlike last time, I will announce myself before being killed.” He said as she glanced over her shoulder, watching his amused smile. She nodded. “I was just…” She drew the dupatta over her attire. “I was thinking, why not show me what you learnt?” She stared at him a little wide-eyed. “Pardon?”

“I can give you tips to improve.” He suggested. Ajbante Kanwar was suddenly conscious of his presence. How could she show her basic sword skills to the best in the land, hoping to impress him? “I… am not that good.”

“Let me be the judge of that.” Kunwar Partap knelt as she stepped back and picked up her sword. He held it with both hands and offered it to an unsure Ajbante Kanwar. She inhaled and took it from his hand. Abandoning the sheath, she took a stance. He paced around her in a semicircle as she swung her sword at an imaginary enemy. 

“Now, if someone’s behind you.” She turned swiftly with a swing, “And down, and up and to the right…” He watched her as she attacked and defended. “Hold it upright, like…” He came up to her as Ajbante Kanwar breathed heavily, holding her wrist up in the position. “This will give you more leverage, and the grip will be firm.” She nodded, suddenly aware of the proximity. “Start again.” He stepped back. “To the left, right, above, that’s it.” He seemed impressed as she shook her head, her locks looking dishevelled. “I… can’t anymore…”

“Come on, Ajbante. If the enemy is at the gates, you can’t have this excuse of being tired or worn out. What would you do then?” He narrowed his brows. She shook her head. “I would tell them you would be here soon.” He seemed amused by her serious answer as he folded his hands to his chest and raised his brows “And what good will that do?”

“They will run for their lives, of course.” Ajbante Kanwar nodded. “Daata says everyone is scared of you.” Kunwar Partap pressed his lips as he suppressed his smile. “So are you?”

“What?” Ajbante did not move from her position as she narrowed her brows.

“Are you afraid of me?” He asked with a shrug. She smiled, shaking her head, “I am not the enemy, am I?” He laughed, forming a sentence in between his chuckling, “Oh, brave Rajputani, I have never heard of such a unique defence…”

“Have you ever known such a unique person?” The moment she said that, Ajbante Kanwar’s cheek flushed as he stopped laughing and stared at her, amused. Her throat felt dry as she stammered. “I… I mean… that I…”

“No, I have not.” He shook his head, making her look up at him, unsurely. “And I know that.” She looked away as he smiled. “See, I kept my promise and learnt…” She changed the topic. “Now I need to leave… Maasa will be waiting for me to make the sweets again.”

“Ajbante.” He stopped her blabbering. “Make Ghevar today.” He had never requested anything in particular before. Ajbante Kanwar happily agreed. 

“And tomorrow you must fight me.” He suggested as her eyes widened. “No… no… I can’t.”

“Why not? If Akhil and Balwant can, why can’t you?” He insisted.

“Because they will be at the battlefield with you, how will I help?” He looked up at her question and smiled silently. Breathing in, Kunwar Partap had a longing smile on the edge of his lips. You can give me the strength to be brave enough to come back. Ajbante Kanwar waited briefly for the answer, her lips parting a little, but no words could form in her mouth. She stepped back, as if she was scared of hearing what he might have to say and hurried away to mount Bijli.


What are you doing, Ajab? She rebuked herself. Such frank gestures could make him feel you are a free-spirited, untamed girl. The moment she thought so, Ajbante Kanwar could feel his scrutinising glance. He never approved of her self-assessments. He would argue there was nothing wrong if she wanted to live a little at her own will. Freedom was a birthright for every individual, he would say. Ajbante Kanwar groaned inwardly at the conversation in her head. When did she come to know Kunwar Partap Singh so closely that she could know what he thought before he even uttered a word? Where was all this leading to? Ajbante Kanwar suddenly felt an unknown fear. How could she understand the pain of something that had never happened to her? Something in her stomach churned as she felt, if she could know the feeling of exhilarating happiness that was so new to her, perhaps if she trusted the words of the Bards who mourned separations for aeons, the pain was greater. But Ajbante Kanwar was braver than she ever had been. She was willing to accept the pain as gracefully as she accepted the feeling that now consumed her being.


Kunwar Partap came back to the palace, lost in a daydream. He remembered how his mother fondly talked of Ajbante Kanwar whenever the topic of war came around. Ranima liked her enough to tell her all the stories of her childhood and that of his. She would learn easily from Ranima. Running a household came to her so easily. Was she brave enough to smile through her fears, reassuring a scared family or subjects while being his strength? She was perhaps braver than that to choose him. Had she chosen him? Not in words or gestures, he had known of or heard about. But Kunwar Partap felt a strange calm around Ajbante, a sense of comfort he sought and found nowhere, not in the biggest forts or richest palaces he had called home before, not in the people he called family or friends. He did not need the words often spoken of by bards, or gestures as expected by people his age. Kunwar Partap knew that with the sword he had handed to Ajbante that day, he had offered her his soul, and she had accepted it.



Popular posts from this blog

Purnota: Chapter Twenty Eight

“I… made tomorrow’s schedule.” Bondita cleared her throat. She was about to leave the study room after she had made the next day’s schedule for Aniruddha to check when he entered the house. He seemed preoccupied, as he did not notice her presence and walked towards the study room, only to stop at the threshold and spot her pretending to arrange the files. Aniruddha moved away from the threshold towards his desk, making space for her to leave as he removed his glasses and placed them down.  “You should take that job in Kolkata.” Bondita stopped but did not turn as he continued. “It's a good opportunity to make contacts in the High Court and get paid well.” Bondita’s throat dried as she did not respond. “Thamma can stay here, you can visit on weekends.”  He wanted her to leave; what more could she say? She walked away without exchanging any words. Aniruddha sat in the high chair, watching her leave as he sighed. He clasped his hands together, realising they were sweaty. He sudde...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty One

“Please, Sir, we were going to show the evacuation notice to the lawyer.” The older man with a salt and pepper beard and a bald head pleaded with the Judiciary official, who handed him a paper of illegal occupancy. The NGO stood on the ground of the property that belonged to the Bhowmicks. Their lawyer, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, had sent a notice of warning and evacuation that the NGO did not pay heed to. The man in charge looked least concerned at the plea of the older man. His hands were folded, eyes teary, as the men who came with the Bull Dozer to knock down the one-storey house with thatched roof broke down the board of the NGO.  “Why did you not show the notice then?” The man rebuked in a gruff voice. “Because we thought it was some mistake.” Another man, relatively younger and calmer, came forward from the crowd that stood there watching as he spoke. “We got the land as a gift from Mr. Bhowmick some eleven years back to make the school for the orphans.” “Then where is the dee...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Two

Bondita got down from the local train with a duffle bag and her hoodie tied around the waist of her dark green Kurti, which she teamed with white leggings and a white dupatta. The weather at Canning seemed hotter and humid than Chandannagar, and at first glance, Bondita spotted the spring blooms of Krishnachura painting the tree at the station red. She picked up her bag and looked around the crowded station. Someone was supposed to come and get her. She dragged her bag through the crowd and finally reached the gates. The rickshaws, vans and small autos were shouting out names of different places, names that appeared like images in her memories. “Bondita Malkin?” She turned to see a woman in a checked printed saree worn above the ankle with a Ghomta over her head and the Anchol tied to her waist. Bondita nodded as the woman in her forties surprised her by touching her feet. Bondita jolted away in shock. “What are you doing?” She asked with raised brows as the woman took her duffel bag. ...

Purnota: Chapter Twenty Nine

“Boro Malik is waiting for you.” Bihari’s words made Aniruddha look confused. “He has something to talk about.” Aniruddha eyed the watch on his left hand; it was past dinner time. He stepped into the house to find voices in the living room. He walked in curiously and found Trilochon speaking to a guest. “There he is!” Before Aniruddha could answer Trilochon’s queries, his eyes fell on the guest. Saudamini stood up, turning to him with a formal smile. She looked different with the Sindoor and Shakha Pola, a Tant saree and a gold chain around her neck. Aniruddha was a little surprised to see her, and it showed on his face, perhaps as Trilochon briefed him that Mini was here to sell off the property belonging to her father and wanted some legal advice. Aniruddha nodded, smiling back at her as he directed her to the study. “Oh, Mini is here to sell off the house.” Bondita looked wide-eyed at Kalindi and shook her head. “Why did you not tell me that before? I will go see her now.” She was a...

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...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Three

Aniruddha stepped out of his room, in a wrinkled Kurta, with a towel and toothbrush, to almost bump into Bondita, who was hurrying out of her room, trying to wear her watch on the go. He stopped before she barged into him and spotted her in one of Thamma’s Dhakai sarees. It was a white-on-white saree she had worn with a quarter-sleeved black blouse. Her hair was bunned with a claw clip, and she wore a small black Teep complementing her Kajol-drawn eyes. She looked slightly startled as she stopped at his dishevelled appearance and looked away at his stare. “Why are you…” He cleared his throat to do away with his morning groggy voice, “Dressed up?” Bondita shook her head at his words. “Because I have camp today, the NGO representative is waiting downstairs.” At her words, Aniruddha nodded and promptly held her wrist to check her watch. Bondita eyed his index finger and thumb, briefly brushing around her wrist as he suppressed a yawn. “But… It's 7 AM.” Bondita smiled, amused at his wo...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty

Bondita was up early when she heard Thamma in the washroom and did not wait for her alarm clock to ring. She stared at the clock, wondering when it would be a decent time to run to Saudamini’s house and knock. She even took out some chocolates from her purse to give to the child when she went to see her. She had so much to catch up on and apologise for. She had quickly dressed in a white Salwar Kameez, added a pearl stud to her ears and headed for Mini Didi’s old home, paying no heed to Kalindi lamenting about the mess in the bedroom. It felt like Deja Vu as she pressed the bell and waited in front of the green door before she heard footsteps on the other side. “Mini Didi!” Saudamini was startled by Bondita’s hug as soon as she opened the front door. “Bondita?” Saudamini held her by the shoulder, inspecting her with beaming eyes. “My God, Bondita!” She exclaimed. “How beautifully you have grown!” Bondita’s eyes fell on the boy, about twelve, staring at her with surprise as she let Sau...

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: Chapter Twenty Seven

A week had passed since Binoy left, and Bondita found herself trying to get used to Aniruddha’s bouts of aloofness. On one hand, she was glad that Binoy and Aniruddha had talked things out and seemed to be on talking terms, but on the other, since Binoy left, she could not help but notice Aniruddha pushing her further away. He barely talked to her except for work, and she did not know what she had done wrong to deserve this coldness. She wished he would talk to her, and she could tell him that he was hurting her, but she kept a brave face and decided not to. At work, she was informed by her Senior Lawyer, Mitra, about the promotion Aniruddha had suggested for her. “A promotion?” She was surprised as he nodded. “Yes, from assisting him to having a cubicle downstairs.” Mitra thought it was good news for her, given how the Boss’s temper ran. Bondita smiled faintly. He also informed her that he would let her know for sure that week. Her desk would be moved soon. Aniruddha was away for a ca...

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!" ...