Eternal Love

Engaged

At dawn, Ajab de was singing her favourite Bhajan to the Lord when Hansa Bai came and sat with her. The palace was decorated well for the Sagaai and Hansa Bai's eyes teared up at the thought of losing her favourite daughter.

" What's wrong Maa Saa?"
" Nothing Ajabde. I was thinking it's only a matter of time before you go to Chittor and I will never hear you sing again." She sobbed as Ajabde hugged her.
" I will come back to visit you Maasa...."
" Only in Pak Fera and occasions and when you will have children. That's the rule of the Royal Family, you cannot come here when you want. "
" She is my daughter Hansa and if she wants to meet you I can assure you that no rule will stop her. "Jaivanta Bai interrupted the mother-daughter moment with a smile.

" I know, Jaivanta, I will not worry about her because I know you will be there."
" Hansa, Yu should not worry as long as Kunwar Pratap is there for her." His name made Ajabde blush as she walked past them and to her room.

Ratan was busy with a hundred options for her Jija's Sagaai. Not every commoner married the crown prince. She had to do something special. Hansa Bai made Ajabde sit down and applied Chandan on her to make her already glowing face glow more. Jaivanta Bai came in worried.
" Ranaji has called Dheerbai, she is arriving at the Sagaai soon." Everyone's faces were gloomy when Ajabde smiled, "Of course, Choti Maa has to come to bless her favourite son." Her smile and confidence made Jaivanta less worried.

As they got Ajabde ready in her crimson red chunri and green lehenga Sajja Bai decided to do a Nazar Uthran of Mewar's Kuwarani.
" I think we need to save Ajabde from Kunwarsa's eyes only. She is looking so beautiful, he will only stare at her." Sajja Bai's comment made everyone laugh and Ajabde blushed red.

In a room at the far end of the corridor, Kunwar Pratap was wearing his turban helped by Chakrapani.
" You are making him wear the turban Chakrapani, look at the smile he is wearing today. "
Kunwar Shakti chuckled as Kunwar Pratap stopped smiling and looked at him sternly.
"You are next Bhai Shati, we will see what you do!"
" True, Kunwarsa, the first time I am seeing a man so happy to get married. " Chakrapani joined in.
" Aree... stop talking you two, and help me get ready, am late." Pratap tried to ignore their glances as Veni and Bheem laughed.
" So Kunwar Pratap is so eager for the Saagai." Everyone was shocked as Udai Singh joined the group. Pratap was stunned.
" Daajiraaj, you also!" He replied shocked.
" Come Kunwarsa I need to talk to you." Everyone else left immediately.
" Kunwar Pratap, you are soon going to start a new life and I want to tell you something really important today... " Pratap waited in silence.
" I have seen that in many ways Ajabde is like your Ranima. Her ideals morals her self respect are all like Jaivanta Bai ji. I had always tried to understand her in vain, I know I displeased her a lot. I was married to her when I was your age and since then the only happiness we shared was you. " Pratap was stunned at his father's words. Everything he said was known but he never expected his father to say those.
" Always keep Ajabde pleased and give her priority among all your alliances. I failed your Ranimaa. But I know you are more like her than me. And Pratap, I am sorry, as a father, I didn't listen to you first, no one could be better than Ajabde for you." Kunwar Pratap hugged his father with a smile. See Ajabde what you have done, you made Rana Udai Singh speak out to me...
Jaivanta Bai was shocked to see Rana Udai Singh share a smile and a hug with her son. She smiled pleased as she broke the father-son moment saying, " Come, Pratap, the Panditji is calling you to the hall. " Udai Singh nodded approval as Pratap went out with Ranima. As Udai Singh sat lost in his thoughts, a guard came in and announced, "Rani Dheerbai is here Ranaji."

Ajabde sat in her room, her hands going cold in nervousness. The guests had arrived mainly from her family, Chittor and Bundi Royal Family, Jaivanta Bai's homeland. Bhago and Ratan came running in to inform " Kunwarsa is at the hall and he looks so handsome." Sajja Bai smiled at Ajabde who was blushing.
" He is handsome as always, he's my Dadabhai after all!" The voice made them turn as a beautiful girl almost Ajabde's age entered with Jaivanta Bai. Her lehenga and jewellery indicated she was a royal.
" Ajabde this is Heer Kanwar, Pratap's cousin from Bundi."
" Bhabisaa!" She hugged a taken-aback Ajabde. Ajabde remembered Pratap talking of Heer to her once.
" Aree, let the Vivah happen, then call her Bhabisa." Sajja laughed. Heer touched her feet.
" I have heard of you from Dadabhai too." She gushed.

Kunwar Shakti was at the door.
" Panditji has called for Bhabisa." He said to his mother as his eyes fell on the stunning beauty beside her.
" Shakti this is Rajkumari Heer Kanwar of Bundi."
" Kunwar Shakti Khamma Gani."
"Gani Khamma." Ajabde noticed a familiar smile on Shakti's face, a smile that could be genetic she thought as she looked at Heer blushing. A smile curved Ajabde's face. Dheerbai entered the room, " I will take Mewar's future Kuwarani to the hall. "
"Of course Dheerbai ji, since you are so happy with this sagaai." Jaivanta Bai's taunt made Hansa and Sajja smile at each other. Ignoring them Dheerbai held Ajabde's stone-cold hands.
"Nervous, are you all ready? What will happen when you have to welcome more wives of his with a smile Ajabde?" Dheerbai whispered. Ajabde smiled. "It's just jittering, Chotima." Dheerbai was not impressed.

At the hall, amidst the mantras and the crowd chatter, he heard her Payals... and looked up. Her face hidden in dupatta she made her way to the hall, and a smile curved his face. He saw Dheerbai lead her and was a little bothered as he looked at his mother who gave him an assuring nod. A bail of water was kept between them as the Panditji instructed them to unveil her dupatta. Dheerbai stepped forward to do the honours and her nervous face was unveiled as he looked at her reflection on the water. Then he looked into her scared eyes directly with a smile. His smile paced down her heartbeats and she smiled back. Mantras were said, pujas were performed. Jaivanta Bai blessed Ajabde with traditional jewellery and clothes and Raoji blessed Pratap with a sword and turban. After the puja, the cousins and friends decided to have some fun. They took the newly engaged couple to the room.

Kunwar Shakti was confused. He didn't know why he couldn't take his eyes off Heer throughout the ceremony and even in the halls. Her smile made him smile and her voice made him skip a beat. What's happening to me?
Kunwar Pratap was waiting for a moment with Ajabde in private but they were always surrounded by people.
Ratan and Heer were teasing Pratap saying "You should gift her something."
Not being able to scold his sister, Pratap asked Ajabde, "What do you want?" as the others laughed.
" A promise."
" Promise?"
" Yes, Mewar will always be independent, promise me." came a soft reply stunning everyone. He smiled with pride, " I promise you Ajabde as long as I live, Mewar will be independent."
Heer frowned. " What is this Bhabisa, you had the opportunity to ask for anything!"
Shakti smiled, " She is Dadabhai's reflection!"
Heer looked at him with a smile that stopped his world as Ajabde looked at the duo and then at Pratap who was looking at Chakrapani helping Bhagwati with the flower on her hair.

That night, Ajabde stood on her balcony, looking at the rain lost in thoughts. After a few more days at her home, the thought made her sad. A creak of the door made her turn as she looked at Pratap walk in looking back to check if someone saw him.
" You?"
" Ajabde..."
" We need to talk." Their voices together stunned each other.
" You first" She replied.

" I don't know why Chotima is here, but I am sure she will trouble you." He sounded worried. " I ..."
" Don't worry about me Kunwarsa, I will not make the same mistakes again. " She assured as he held her hand.
"Now my turn!" She was excited.
" Say... what's the news...."
" Kunwar Shakti... did you notice him at the ceremonies?"He was lost.
"Did you see Heer Kanwar Baisa?"
" Behena? Ajabde you are confusing me."
" I think Kunwar Shakti likes her!" Her smile was cut short by his laughter.
"Bhai Shakti? He is never interested in girls!"
" Were you always interested in girls?" Her question shock him.
" No... I...."
" I don't know how you did not notice him at the ceremony. He has your smile...."
"I didn't know you were busy noticing them when all your attention should have been towards me. " He stepped towards her with a teasing smile. " And now, the sagaai is also done you know!" She skipped a heartbeat.
" Kunwarsa!"
He stepped forward and unveiled her dupatta. Then her scared eyes made him smile as he stepped back and said " Subhratri." He left his bride smiling as he dashed to his room.