Separated

Distraught

Over the past months, Ajabde Baisa had trained her mind and body to be Bijolia's Baijilal. Bijolia's very own "Ajbandeh" was now everyone's Baijilal running the administration and defence for the Punwar house. She had grown into what her mother thought was a reflection of the woman she always admired, Maharani Jaivanta Bai. She feared to mention that even to herself lest wounds are reopened and cause pains that can never heal. Ajabdeh had made Bijolia and her subjects her life, ever since that faithful day she broke the norms and took oath as Samanth. She vowed to be the son her father wanted. However, although Bijolia was more than happy knowing they are in Baijilal's safe hands, she was clear her position was just as Balwant's representative and nothing else. As per the norms, the news had reached the Kumbha Palace. Rawat Chundawat was walking down to the court when he could spot the messenger from Bijolia. His heart had skipped a beat worried for her. In the court, discussing matters over the Afghan attacks were Ranaji and Kunwar Pratap. He had managed to stop the messenger in time before he disrupted the court with the letter from the place they now wanted to forget. He didn't blame them though. Both father and sons were mere Katputlis of a bigger hand at play. He smiled sarcastically at the Ranimahal. He had dispersed the man and read it twice. He had smiled in awe at the seal from the new Samanth. He was now sure, she was truly his soulmate, a fighter for life."Ranaji." He had entered the court beaming making everyone stare surprised." Aapke haat mein yeh kya hai Rawatji?" One of the eager courtiers had asked. He had smiled."Bijolia mein..." Kunwar Pratap rising from his seat had made him stop."Hu...Hum astrashala se aate hai." He had walked away not looking up from the carpet. His heart had made this weird skip of a beat at the place's mention and he hated to admit the ache it caused. The ache she... He was better off with his weapons, and horses, away from everything that reminded him f the two people one he had lost, another he abandoned. Since that fateful day, he had not stepped into the Ranimahal corridors. He had heard both rooms were locked the way they left them, he feared being trapped by memories he needed to forget. Rawatji knew the boy, he had grown ten years in these few months, but from the looks of it, she had grown much more."Rawatji, hum nahi chahte Bijolia ka koi bhi baat aap yaha kare, unko koi madat chahiye toh aap dekh lena, lekin iss Chittorgarh mein kabhi uss jagah ka naam nahi lenge koi bhi." Everyone had stared at the visibly displeased Ranaji in awe."Hukum." Rawatji had not dared to correct the concerned father who walked out after his son. He had kept the letter to himself. Something told him this was important for later. The Bijolia Palace was shining in the rising sun of the dawn as a song filled the air and gave a peaceful feeling."Akhiyaan Hari darsan ko pyasi." Balwant was running half-dressed through the corridor, about to fall when his mother caught him."Hum e shaama kijiye Ranisa, ve phirse uthne mein der..." Dasi stopped at Hansa Bai's cold look."Ek taraf Ajabdeh hai jo sab kuch samhal rahe, dusre taraf baki saab jinko koi hosh nahi...""Kakisa." Saubhagyawati interrupted saving the three-year-old about to cry. "Chodiye na, baccha hai."" Ajabdeh bhi..." Hansa stopped a little teary as Saubhagyawati's smile faded. "Uska bholapan cheen liya sabne." She walked away as Balwant looked confused."Chaliye bhai." Saubhagyawati smiled at the boy."kesaar tilak, motin ki maala... Vrindavan ke vaasi." There she sat, eyes closed, in her own simple and graceful way in front of the smiling Lord as they entered silently. She smiled feeling their presence as she took the Aarti thali in hand for the last bit of the morning prayers."Baisa..." The Daasi ran through the Rani mahal of the Bijolia palace searching, a folded wrapped letter In hand."Baisa...?" She asked a passing by Daasi."Kanha mandir..." She didn't finish as the one with the letter ran. Baijilal was worried at her flickering Diya. It was about to die when she saved it from the gusty winds with her hands."Baisa." The daasi stopped breathless."Baijilal." Saubhagyawati corrected irritated. She smiled at her friend."Kya hua hai Kasturi?" Her smile faded at the letter in hand. The daasi looked down at the carpet prompting her to get up and take the letter. The seal was from Rawat Chundawat's place. She frowned as she struggled with the string.News from Chittorgarh? Was Ranima... Opening it she froze like a stone-cold statue. Her warrior's hands were shaking. "Ajabdeh?" Saubhagyawati's voice shook her. "Kya hai isme?"