A Royal Accident

Fairytale Romance

Ajabdeh woke up with a smile as her parents sang " Happy Birthday to You!" with her favorite black forest cake in hand. She smiled as her father kissed her forehead and she hugged her mother.

" Thank You Thank You Thank You!" To her surprise, Hansa was wiping away tears.

" Mom! Why are you crying? Mujhe paida karne ki dukh hai kya?" She tried to make her mother smile with her joke in vain as she looked confused at her father.

" Iss ghar mein tumhara last birthday hai na Beta to Mom emotional ho gayi." Her dad explained, patting Hansa's head as Ajab's smile faded and realization crept in. " Mom!" She hugged her mother tight. " I promise har birthday toh main aap ke saath hi manaungi!"

" Hatt pagli Ladki, aise thodi hota hai..." Her mother wiped away her tears. 

" Aww, but I love you guys!"

" Gift nahi dekhna?" " Yay gift!"

" Ready hoke niche aa jao, gift milega." Hansa smiled.

Ajabdeh dressed in her favourite orange jumpsuit, with black cheetah prints and ponytailed her hair on either side. She applied Kohl and lipgloss, before going into the adjacent Puja ghar for a special birthday prayer. Hansa came to interrupt saying,

"Ranima aur kunwarsa aye hai milne..." 

"Aa rahi hoon."

She took the Prasad thaal and proceeded downstairs hiding a smile. She entered the living room from where the sound of voices was coming and eyes met, followed by his amazed look at her dress. He was in a grey shirt and blue jeans. She ignored his glances as she handed over the thaal to her mom, and Ranima came to hug her.

" Happy Birthday My Princess!"

"Ranima, Thank You Thank You."Jaivanta kissed her forehead.

" Bhagwan se yehi mangti hoon, ke meri beti hamesha aise hi muskurati rahe!" She hugged Ranima as Pratap gave a cold stare at her taunting expression.

" Pratap! Ajabdeh ka gift leke ao." "Ji Ranima."

He came back with the familiar-looking basket as Brownie poked his nose out at Ajabdeh's hand.

"I made Pratap buy him for you." Ranima smiled.

"Brownie!" Much to Pratap's shock and everyone's surprise, her call made the dog jump on her lap. Damn it, yeh marwake choregi, Brownie bolna zaroori tha! Ranima hid her smile as she looked at Pratap's pale face and Ajabdeh's glee as Brownie wagged his tail.

" Aree wah, kafi jaldi naam soch liya tumne Ajab!" Ranima praised.

The realization hit her as she stared back at Pratap who was looking away. "Woh...He's brown and I love Brownie..."

" Wonderful name, isn't it Pratap?" Jaivanta eyed her son staring awkwardly.

" Ji Ranima." Ajabdeh hid a smile looking at his face.

" Where is your gift?" Her question made Pratap look wide-eyed as the others smiled.

" My gift is I convinced Hansa Mausi he can stay here with you!"

" Oh, my Gosh Mom!! Really?" She hugged her mom as Brownie came in between. " Chalo Brownie. Let me show you my room!" She sounded excited. She ran up the stairs with Brownie in toe as Hansa said, " Kunwarsa aap bhi jaiye, main breakfast bhejti hoon." He smiled shyly before leaving for her room. He heard her talk as he walked up the stairs.

" There is the Puja Ghar, where you can never enter Brownie. Mom will throw us out and that's my room, our room, I will get you a nice cozy corner..."

" Ahem!" He cleared his throat and entered the room.