Eternal Love

Winning her back

Pratap was at the gateway to the Gurukul. The same Gurukul where he had learnt the harsh truths of life. Something told him he was yet to learn a few chapters on relationships here. He went in with Sarang.

Raghavendra Rathore was sitting in his hut, meditating. No one was allowed there at that time. Well, no one but Pratap. Guru Raghavendra was expecting his favourite student there ever since the Samanth Putri of Bijolia voluntarily arrived to help at the Ashram.

He knew her as Raoji's daughter but his students Veni, Bheem and Chakrapani who had arrived there a month back along with Saubhagyabati to seek his blessings had told him about Kunwar Pratap's choice of a bride. He knew something was wrong, Ajabde's cold calm eyes spoke enough. He had taken a liking to this girl. She cooked, cleaned and even taught children. She was a lot mature for her age and in many of her qualities a reflection of Kunwar Pratap.

The first day he saw her practice sword fighting he was in awe of her natural skills with the sword. He was sure she was taught right by his best student. He had smiled watching her move around the arena, religiously practising her moves with dedication.

Kunwar Pratap touched his feet, making him look down at his favourite student. A few months of war and inner turmoil seemed to make him more mature. His looks said so.
" Gani Khamma Guruji."
" Khamma Gani Kunwar Pratap!"
" Woh..." He didn't know where to start.
" What brings you here?" His Guruji asked.
" I was at Bijolia, with my family, Choti Maa... argued with Raoji's elder daughter. " He was carefully choosing his words.
" Who is Raoji's Daughter?" He asked, wanting him to speak out.
" Ajabde." He looked away. " I have come here to say sorry to her."
" Kunwar Pratap she doesn't want to meet any family or friends, she is here to volunteer."
" I know, she... She is angry. I just need to talk to her once."
" Kunwar Pratap has been here only two days and she has already won everyone's hearts. She is so gentle and simple. I hope your intentions towards her..."
" My intentions are clear and they won't change ever Guruji, I promise you." He was firm in his words.
With a smile, Raghavendra turned around and said, " She is at the Kanha Temple with the children. Meet her there."

Pratap entered the temple hands folded. He prayed and hoped she was not angry with him. He had failed to protect her from Dheerbai's insults. He didn't know how to face her. She sat sitting bhajans to the lord... "o Kanha Mora..." The children sang along. The sight was so peaceful he couldn't help but smile. She got up to do the aarthi. He walked across the crowd and stood beside her. Hands folded eyes closed. She opened her eyes and saw him. She thought she was daydreaming. She looked at him wide-eyed as he smiled at her.
The children flocked around her.
"Jija... Prasad!"
After the crowd dispersed she looked up at him.
"Kunwarsa..."
" Let me speak first Ajabde. Am here to apologize for whatever happened. I promised to fight together but I was not there to protect you." His eyes shone with tears he tried to hide. "when Ratan told you have left I felt so guilty."
"Kunwarsa stop. I came here for some peace and happiness. It's not because of you. I have hurt Ranima's expectations. I lost my self-control. To tell you the truth I am not used to such complexity in relationships and family. I love things simple and with you..." She stopped.
" With me, things are never simple. I know." There was a hint of sadness in his voice.
" I didn't mean..."
"It's okay Ajabde you are right. I can't drag you in this." He looked at her waiting. Hoping she would reconcile. She didn't know what to say.
" I am leaving tomorrow and you are coming back with me. Everyone is worried for you. What happens after that you decide once you are home." He prayed hard that he didn't lose her.
Ajabde sat in her hut wondering. They were in love. They were happy. Yet an outsider could win over it? She was ready to give up when he was fighting his own family? Her inner voice told her to fight till the end.

That evening Ajabde made her way to the temple for prayers. On the way, she saw Kunwar Pratap teaching some children the basic skills of sword fighting. She smiled remembering her first lesson with him. He watched her walk away with a smile.

She was on her way back and it was already dark and it started to rain heavily. She took shelter in an abandoned hut waiting for the rain to stop. Suddenly she heard footsteps closing in. Gathering a stick from the place she was ready to attack. He caught the stick with his hand as she swung its eyes closed.
"Ajabde!"
"you?"
"See who you are hitting first!" He was amused. " It seems you need some more lessons on self-defence."
"Shama Kijiye..." An awkward silence followed.
" Seems like the rain won't stop soon." she sounded worried.
" You are scared to be with me?" His smile made her blush.
" We need to rest. We will be leaving early... Wait... What are you doing here Kunwarsa? You were near the huts na?"
" I... Woh... You were at the temple..."
" how do you know I was... Are you following me?" Getting caught he turned red.
" no, I was just enjoying the weather."
"you are lying."
" no am not!"
A sound of thunder made her jump to his arms startling him. She hid her face in his chest saying
" I am very scared of thunders."
With a little hesitation, his hands travelled to hold her upper arms.
" Am here Ajabde. To protect you always."
Realization dawned as she moved away. She was shivering wet. Pratap went inside the hut and found a haystack.
" Ajabde..."
"Ji?"
" You stay inside. You are cold. I will keep guard outside." He was about to walk out as she sat on the hay.
"Kunwarsa..." He stopped.
" You can stay here too."

Their eyes met. She looked simply beautiful even in night. He nodded and sited himself carefully away from her. The sensations of the hug were still in him. She felt the same and looked away. They started talking about odd things. Childhood stories, siblings, their mothers and friends and finally about the ashram.

The rays of the blazing sun woke Pratap. He looked at her asleep peacefully resting her head on his shoulders. He looked at the beautiful face. He didn't want to wake her up. He felt time would freeze there. He removed a strand of her hair from her face and placed it behind her ears. She looked up, eyes met, inches from each other.
" woh... Get ready we are leaving." He moved away.
She sat up realizing she was sleeping on his shoulder all night.

Meanwhile, in Bijolia, Dheerbai was in for a surprise. Rana Udai Singh was angry with her. For the first time in her life, Jaivanta Bai was winning over her. She had to apologize to a mere Samanth family. And to top it all Udai Singh had called Jaivanta Bai to his chambers.
"Ranaji?"
"Jaivanta Bai I have made a decision." She looked at him scared. Never had his decision pleased her?
" Am not as bad as you think Jaivanta. I will ask Raoji to give us Ajabde for Pratap."

Jaivanta couldn't believe what she heard. She rushed to tell Sajja. Dheer Bai was in shock. The girl won over her! In her anger, she left for Chittor. Sajja called Shakti and Chakrapani from Chittor with the good news. The duo planned a surprise for Pratap and Ajabde as Pratap's letter arrived from the ashram informing them of their arrival soon.