Timeless

Happy Endings

Dheer had a sleepless night. Yes, she had killed the Maharani, but to seek revenge for her son. Jagmal was all she had for a dream, and Rana Pratap's first decision was to banish him. He had never been that tough with his other brothers who went with Akbar, then why him? Just because he wanted to be a king? Just because they brought a false letter and bought a few witnesses? Her son died in Ajmer, so young. And she had always blamed Ajabdeh Punwar for Rana's hard decision. After all ever since she came as a support for Jaivanta Bai She had been like his shield, even creating misunderstandings didn't help Dheer Bai Bhattiyani. Ajabdeh had done the impossible, showing him the real face of his Chotima.

What bothered Dheer now was if he remembered anything and most importantly if she did. Dheer had turned pale at the song and smile Pratap gave, but if he knew she killed Ajabdeh, it meant Survi remembered her walking to a dying Ajabdeh and confessing that she won. It meant... Dheer was now worried about the phrase History repeats itself. She didn't care about the past anymore frankly. Even if they knew, they couldn't prove anything! No one would believe if Pratap claimed to be the Maharana. What she was really worried about now was if Pratap knew her deeds in the present. She had carefully been in his good books forever until this girl came and all of a sudden Pratap seemed a little cold towards her.

Her escape plan was foolproof. She had called an associate in Delhi who would take her from here to Udaipur and she would take a flight away from the country. She had planned to leave a letter and not tell Hansa beforehand, as then if at all anyone knew, they couldn't catch her. Now, only the wedding to attend and she would be never seeing her past again. However, out of her curiosity and fear she wanted to know what Survi knew.

Survi was being dressed in bridal attire by her friends when she walked in. Survi saw her reflection in the mirror and she remembered another wedding era ago when this woman had welcomed her with the sweetest smile. She smiled the same smile turning, " Aree Mausi? Can I call you that now?" There was a slight hint of sarcasm.
" Of course, now that you are his...."
" I will be in a few hours." She blushed. Dheer smiled and took the mantika.
" May I?"
" Sure, Mausi."
" Survi, I have no children, so Pratap is like my own."
" I know Mausi. He says he is closer to you than Maasa also." Saying this, Survi did the unusual. She hugged Dheer. Dheer was a little taken aback and smiled. No way does Ajabdeh Remember!

The wedding day seemed like the one she remembered as he looked royal in his golden sherwani and red pagri. Her red Jora, he designed like it was. He remembered the smallest details. As she walked into the Mandap helped by her friends and Dheer who was now keeping an eye on Pratap to see his reactions his heart skipped a beat alarmed by Dheer's look while he managed a smile. They sat for the wedding in front of a small gathering as the sun shone brightly. She stared at him as she remembered that last time, the heavy dupatta was blocking her view... This time he had kept it simple, the way she desired. It was time for Gath Bandhan and Pratap to stare at Dheer.
" Mausi, do the g Bandhan please." He smiled. Survi nodded.

His request reassured Dheer that they didn't remember what she did. She did the Bandhan as Pratap stared at Survi who blushed happily. They were having the most important day in their lives. For they were reuniting and renewing age-old vows and because it was time to make evil pay.

As he took her hand for the Pheras and flowers rained upon them, Survi had tears in her eyes. She could hear the happy souls of Chittor bless them. She could see the faces of all the people she had loved and lost in time. Raoji, Rawatji, Patta, Balwant, Ratan, and all the people she called family in Chittor. She was glad that Jaivanta and Hansa smiled at them happily. They might not have known or remembered anything, but their mere presence made her feel safe. He understood her thought as he stared at her twinkling eyes during Jaimala and smiled reassuringly. Pratap also felt as if the souls of everyone who was Killed by the Mughals wanted Dheer Bai to suffer. He filled her hairline with the sindoor as Dheer watched her worst dream come true with a helpless smile. Pratap smiled at his Ajabdeh and made a promise to himself. I won't let you go, I will make you happy, this time.