Wherever You Stray, I Follow (Kunwar Pratap/Ajabde [PrAja])

24//~home?~

edited.

Kunwar Pratap had sent someone ahead of time to deliver the news of their marriage to the royal family. 

As they arrived at the front entrance, Ajabde peeked out of her palanquin. The palace was so grand, massive.

How would she ever think of this massive palace as her home? She took a quick look at the royal family standing there. Everyone was present. Rani Sajjabai, Rani Veerbai, Ranaji, Chand Kanwar, Maan Kanwar, Kunwar Jagmal and ofcourse, Rani Dheerbaisa.

Ranaji kept a stony, neutral expression on his face and so did Rani Sajjabai.

Kunwar Jagmal did not even bother to hide the fact that he had been forced to be here or that he did not like Kunwar Pratap's new bride.

Chand Kanwar and Maan Kanwar along with Rani Veerbaisa had small smiles to welcome her.

But Rani Dheerbaisa, Ajabde did not need a single grain of intelligence to realize that Rani Dheerbaisa was completely disgusted at the idea of having to stand here to welcome Ajabde.

Kunwar Pratap dismounted his horse first and then walked over to Ajabde. The carriers set her doli down carefully and Kunwar Pratap helped her out.

 She did well to remember to fix her veil on top of her head and keep it in place.

She was just barely nervous, after all, things could not get worse anymore. She had maxed out and reached the peak of problems.

Ajabde walked beside Kunwar Pratap to the threshold where Dheerbaisa was holding onto the aarti thaal.

"Hum sirdard ho raha hain, Rani Veerbai, aap aarti kar dijiye," Dheerbaisa said as soon as they arrived. She handed the thaal to Rani Veerbaisa and walked away. Kunwar Jagmal trotted behind her like an obedient little puppy dog.

Rani Sajjabai didn't say anything and let Rani Veerbaiji do all the welcoming rituals that Ajabde took part in just because she had to.

She did their aarti and then, Ajabde tipped over the pot of grains, crossed the threshold, and lifted her ghagra to step into the plate containing the kumkum mixture.

She stepped out leaving her footprints behind as she entered the palace. She practically knew every nook and cranny of this palace but now everything seemed foreign.

"Humara vivaah bhi kuch aisi hi paristhiti mein hua tha. Tab Jaivanta Jija ne humara swagat kiya tha aur iss raj gharane ki bahu hone ka darja diya tha. Ab unki bahu vivaah karke aiyi hain ess mahal mein, to hum apna pura pura prayas karenge aapko sahejta sa iss mahal mein dhaalne ka," Veerbaisa said, and it really meant a lot to Ajabde but she was unable to give her a reaction.'

"Rani Veerbaiji, aap Ajabde ko kuksh dikhaye. Hume Kunwar Pratap se koi avarshak baat karni hain," Ranaji ordered. Ajabde could take a wild guess about what they probably wanted to talk about.

"Bhabhisa! Aapko kuksh hum dono dikhate hain!" Chand Kanwar and Maan Kanwar exclaimed. They took hold of her hands and led her down the halls.

Her heart stopped as she realized they had taken her straight to Kunwar Pratap's room. They-they couldn't stay in the same room. 

"Yeh to Kunwar Pratap ka kuksh hain na," Ajabde asked.

"Aur ab yeh aapka bhi kuksh hain!" Chand said happily.

"Parantu, saari streeyan to Raniva-"

"Haan par abhi aapka naya naya vivaah hua hain to aap Bhavjiraj ke sang hi rahegi na. Yahi reet hain. Kuch samay paschat, aap bhi ek kuksh le lijiyega Rani Mahal mein," Maan Kanwar explained.