Eternal Love

Closer

Ratan stepped into Ajabde's room and saw her busy arranging flowers.
" Jija, Maa Sa is calling you. "
Ajabde left the vases half made and followed her sister to her mother's room. Hansa Bai was sitting with Jaivanta Bai. They smiled at Ajabde.
" Ajab we have a tradition in the Mewar Royal Family that the bride-to-be has to cook 56 different dishes for the family. Since the wedding is near I think you should cook lunch today. Heer, Ratan and Bhagwati can help you." Jaivanta Bai explained.
" I don't need help Ranima I can do it by myself."
" No Jija, we will help you." Heer stepped in and spoke out. Ratan nodded.
" Okay then let me finish with my puja and we can start." Ajabde smiled.

She was watering the tulsi manch and whispering some mantras. It was right across the arena where she could hear Pratap and Shakti practice. Their swords clash. Her view was blocked by a pillar. She stepped a little to her left and caught a glimpse of him. Swinging two swords in each of his hands. He looked handsome. Ajabde stood there lota in hand watching the fierce warrior in him. She smiled to herself. He was the one all of Rajputana was proud of. He was the one princess desired. He was the one Akbar feared. He was hers. Lost in her thoughts she stood transfixed.
" Aree Bhabisa?" Shakti's call broke her trance she looked embarrassed. He looked back at her with a smile. And Pratap followed Shakti's gaze to her. Eyes met and she looked away red.
" You want something Bhabisa?" Shakti asked in a teasing tone.
" No, I was going... I was..." She stammered making Pratap smile. She turned to leave but then smiled back at Shakti.
" Kunwarsa I have some news for you... "
" Today we are going to cook for some rituals. So at lunch, you may get to taste something Heer will make." Shakti smiled while Pratap laughed.
" Heer and cooking! "
" I will help her don't worry." Ajabde ignored Pratap and reassured a worried Shakti.

In the Kitchen, Ratan and Heer sat cutting the vegetables while Saubhagwati and Ajabde were deciding on the dishes.
" Heer, you make the Malpua for Kunwar Shakti. It's his favourite. I will teach you. " Ajabde told as Heer nodded excitedly.
" Jija what was your first dish for Dadabhai?"
" Ohh I know I know!" Ratan interrupted. " She unknowingly cooked his favourite kheer and he loved it." They all smiled at Ajabde who was blushing.
" I have an idea. " Everyone turned to Ratan for the plan.

At lunch, after Rana ji and Raoji had eaten early and left for some administration work in the nearby village, the boys sat for lunch. Instead of food Ratan came in and announced, " We have all cooked some dishes. Now all of you, Kunwar Pratap, Kunwar Shakti and Chakrapani ji have to eat and say which one is made by your better halves. Ready?"
Chakrapani whispered to Pratap, " I am surely going to spend tonight under the stars. " Pratap smiled at him. Shakti was sure that he could tell his Bhabisa and Bhago Bhabisa's food apart. He would find it confusing between Ratan and Heer. Both never cooked for them before.

The food was being laid and Ratan said," I am sure Jija seeing Kheer only Kunwarsa will think you made it. It will be fun." Ajabde smiled at her enthusiastic sister. The boys began eating. Chakrapani said " This daal am sure either Ratan Baisa or Heer Baisa made. It tastes like water. " Saubhagwati fumed in anger as she had made it. Ajabde pressed her hand not saying anything yet.
" Wah Malpoa, Bhabisa knows it's my favourite. Then Heer must have cooked the kheer. It tastes good. Both taste good." Heer looked at Ratan who was smiling amusedly.
" Kunwar Pratap its your turn!"
Pratap smiled at Ratan and then at Ajabde. He took the kheer in his hand, Ratan was excited to think she will win. He kept it down and tasted the jalebi and the vegetable. Ratan's smile faded and Ajabde smirked.
" Ajabde cooked this. The jalebi and the vegetable. Kheer either Heer cooked or Ratan you did. "
Every girl was looking at Ajabde smiling victoriously.
" You are right. Jiji cooked those. I cooked the kheer, Heer Jiji cooked the Malpoa and Saubhagwati Jija cooked the daal."
Chakrapani choked on his water as everyone laughed. Saubhagwati rushed out angrily and he went after her saying " I was joking. The daal was tasty. Really."
Heer stared at Shakti who was saying," What? Bhabisa cooks so well and the Malpoa was so good I thought she made it for me." Ratan's glance was still on Pratap.
" You didn't even taste the kheer and knew Jija didn't make it. How?"
" You added nuts Ratan. She never gives nuts. I hate them with nuts."
" And how about the food she cooked?" Asked Heer.
" I know her cooking. The taste. She does something unique every time." He smiled at his bride-to-be. Ajab smiled back pleased. She always knew he would recognise her food.

After lunch, Kunwar Pratap was out for a walk and Ajabde was searching for him. She didn't know why he didn't talk all day. He looked a little disturbed by the Mughal movements and ... She bumped into someone lost in her thoughts.
" Stupid Samant girl, can't you see where you are going? You stepped on my foot." Dheerbai's voice quickly made her touch her feet.
" Stay away. Tell Ranaji am here."
" Sorry, Chotima I was a little absent-minded."
" Or you do this purposely. You samant people have no manners. No status." She was going on and on like a person who had lost all hopes of winning and was trying to hurt the opponent with abuse. Ajabde was quiet.
" Choti Rani Sa. You are talking to Mewar's Kuwarani here." Shocked Ajabde turned around to see Heer.
" Her status and her respect are with Mewar Royal Family now." Dheerbai was stunned to see this girl reply with confidence. " She is the future Maharani of Mewar and then her status is greater than a queen."
" Heer..." Ajabde stopped her.
" Let's go Jija. Maharani Sa was looking for you." She dragged Ajabde inside.

Shakti stepped in disturbed in Ajabde's room with Pratap.
" What's wrong?"
" I think you should tell Heer about Chotima Bhabisa."
" Heer... But..."
" Heer told me what happened today. She is confused. She needs to know. "
" No Kunwarsa. She is too young for such complexities."
" But Ajabde... " Pratap spoke up. " Heer needs to be safe. She is my sister. Choti ma can try to..."
" Don't worry Kunwarsa I will take care of her. I won't let her come near Heer. But Heer is too innocent for all these now. I promise you I will tell her as soon as they are married. Don't kill her innocence with all these now."
Pratap felt guilty when he realised that somewhere down the line Ajabde's innocence and childishness got affected by his turmoiled relationship with Chotima. Somewhere Ajabde grew up so quickly. His gaze was fixed on her confident self before him now.
" Why is everyone so quiet?" Heer asked surprised.
" Jija why was Choti ranisa behaving so rudely?"
" She loves Kunwarsa so much Heer that she is scared of losing her favourite son. Motherly love Heer. She didn't want to be rude." Ajabde explained as Pratap looked away.

Dheerbai was sitting in her chambers with Rana Ji. " How will this look on Heer?" She showed him a Kangan.
" You will gift that?"
" Yes, her muh dikhai. "
" But you didn't give Ajabde..." He stopped.
" Am sorry Ranaji I can't forget the past. That Samant girl insulted me. I am being happy here only because I love Pratap."
" You love him the most don't you?"
" Yes." Dheerbai smiled. She looked at the Kangan.