Entwined Fate: A Pratap Ajabdeh Story

Caught

The evening aarti was held at the Mahanal Temple where the Royal family decided to thank Lord Shiva for his blessings on the war. Jaivanta Bai was looking for an opportunity to tell Rana Udai Singh about Kunwar Pratap's choice of a bride. But Rani Bhattiyani was making sure Ranaji was not alone ever. She was following him like a shadow. So Jaivanta Bai decided to wait till they reached Chittorgarh instead. Ajabde knew he would leave in a day or two. And ever since she came to know or rather guess Dheerbai's intentions she was scared. Ajabde was always a believer in the fact that Families are units that stay together always. His Chotima was not someone she would call family. She was a potential competitor. Or so she acted. What annoyed Ajabde in just this one day is how both Ranaji and Kunwar Pratap respected her words like Vedh Gyaan. Could they not see what she could or they ignored her? It was hard to tell. His silence in her battle at the courtroom made her worry more. Would he at all fight for their love? Or let her go if Dheerbai insisted? Questions shrouded her mind. But her chores around the home were too many to think of now. At the temple, she arrived with the thaal and diya, behind the Maharani with Ratan in toe. Eyes met as she looked away angrily. His smile faded into a frown as she avoided his glances. Kunwar Pratap strategically stood beside her as Maharanisa took the aarti thaal and started the Aarti with Ranaji. All the elders were up front and Kunwar Pratap noticed everyone including her praying, eyes closed and he smiled as he stared at her. Opening her eyes she looked back at him angrily. She was rubbing her hands again when he caught it almost making her gasp scared as she looked around nervously. No one spotted them. Everyone was staring at the puja proceedings even Ratan right beside her. She moved her left hand automatically to his side, hiding it in her dupatta. Her left hand was in his right one as he stared ahead like nothing happened. She tried in vain to free it when he held it more firmly. Her bangles made a tinkling sound as she struggled to scare her and make her stop. He gave half a smile at her helpless face making her fume even more. Does he not realize I am angry? As soon as the puja ended, he let go of her hand and walked ahead towards his parents with a smile as her heart continued to beat faster. Ajabde gulped noisily before realizing there was a small note he had put in her hand. Tonight. S. She threw it away in a corner before Ratan caught her and she smiled faintly. While walking out Kunwar Pratap gave a small cordial nod to both her and Ratan as she noticed Dheerbai stare and looked away again making him frown.Dheerbai was making her way out of the temple when she spotted a paper in the corner."Daasi, give me that." She ordered after everyone left and she was taking blessings. Apparently."That Ranisa?" The Daasi asked surprised."yes, that. It was not there when we..."The paper made her smile. The prey had themselves set up the trap.That Night, Dheerbai was sleepless, checking the corridors again and again. She, at last, heard a horse neigh in the forest. She smiled and called Dhaman Singh."Hush Sarang! It's good to see you too.""Baojiraj we are leaving for Telhati tomorrow, me and Bhago if you need him...""I won't Chakrapani. Have a safe trip." He smiled. "Just tonight."Sakhaveer was sitting with his back towards the temple waiting for her when a cold sword touched his neck."How dare you??" Her voice made him frown."Baijilal!" He smiled teasing the eyes with his as he turned." Don't! You just look brave but you are not." She was clearly angry."I know you are upset with what Chotima said and...""You knew she is the one after us?" It made him frown some more."Who told you?""Baijilal is intelligent enough.""I don't want a blame game in the family, no matter what I know or don't. Know that." He appeared angry."Really? That includes her insulting me and you won't protest?" She was angry too."Ajab I was here to...""No! No Kunwar Pratap I was right about you. You are not Sakhaveer. Sakhaveer would protest for his Baijilal. Kunwar Pratap can never stand up for me.""That is not true Ajabde, you can't judge...""Yes I can, at such a simple incident if you can't protest you think I can trust you to fight them for us? Leave." Her eyes teared up."Pardon?" He asked surprised, unsure of what he heard."Leave." She looked away."Fine!" He walked passed her and dragged Sarang along. Baijilal sat down looking at the water shine. She heard him gallop away. Tears rolled down as she said to herself "He didn't even say he will fight for us." She was determined to get to him and talk it out before he left when suddenly someone caught her from behind."Sakhaveer! Sakhaveer!" Her call made his heart skip a beat as he turned his horse around.Her hands were tied with ropes and tied to poles on a makeshift stage. In front of her eyes were Rana Udai Singh, Rao Ramrakh Panwar, Rawat Chundawat, Balwant, Shakti, Sajjabai, Dheerbai and a visibly disturbed Jaivanta Bai. She struggled at the ropes and hoped he was not coming for her here.Dhaman Singh smiled a victorious smile saying " All the credit goes to Ranisa. She thought she heard something and alerted me." Dheerbai smiled at Udai Singh."Tell us where he is..." Balwant questioned Baijilal."I don't know!""Of course, you know.""I won't tell!" She was scared. Very scared. What if they unveiled her? The blame will go to her family who is clueless here.Sakhaveer reached the water banks to see visible signs of struggle. He sat down inspecting then followed the horse hooves and froze at the sight ahead."Unveil her." Udai Singh ordered. She closed her eyes."Stop!" His voice made everyone turn."Sakhaveer!" Everyone gasped as he looked at Baijilal who nodded a soft no then at Jaivanta Bai approving." Let her go and I will reveal myself to you.""No Sakhaveer." Baijilal protested. "Don't.""I have to do this, to save you.""Don't." She begged."It's something I need to do. " He spoke with determination. "Let her go. And promise me no one will ask her identity. I will reveal myself.""Oh, we can catch you both." Dhaman Singh spoke up."Can You?" He taunted. "Ask Raoji, he knows that if I want I can save her and run from here. But I won't. Instead, I am asking for her security and I surrender."Dheerbai was waiting for this golden opportunity. Who wanted Baijilal when Sakhaveer was being revealed and more... Udai Singh would be furious with him, maybe disown him forever?"Let that be, it's a deal." She spoke up surprising everyone. "Sakhaveer can rebel alone we saw that, Baijilal is the weaker link, let her go. Am I not right Ranaji?" To everyone's shock, he agreed as a soldier untied Baijilal. She froze in her position refusing to move."Go," Sakhaveer spoke up. "Go! And no matter what happens don't come back here.""I am not leaving you.""I made a promise. A Rajput lives and dies for his promise.""But..." Her eyes teared up."Go. Please. Leave." He spoke up as she started walking towards the forest. "Promise me you won't ever reveal who Baijilal is.""I...." She choked."Promise me.""I promise.""Go." He pushed her towards the Jungle as she walked away.He watched her disappear when he turned to Udai Singh."My mother always taught me to fight for rights, and help the needy, I did just that. Whatever you decide, I will accept my punishment." He started unveiling his face as Jaivanta Bai closed her eyes and looked at Dheerbai's smile."Kunwar Pratap!" was the gasp all around as people stared at him like they saw a ghost. Udai Singh couldn't believe his eyes."Jaivanta Bai! Did you know this?" He asked as the Maharani spoke firmly "I guess so.""When did you plan on telling me?" He was angry."Never. Because they are not wrong." Her words silenced Udai Singh as he looked back at his son who was staring up at him, not bowing his head at his "Mistake""Enough! We are all leaving for Chittorgarh right now! Go and pack!" He ordered as Jaivanta Bai and Pratap looked shocked. "And who Sakhaveer is won't leave this place! I don't want people to think Udai Singh used his son to spread turmoil with Bundi, not with the Mughals seeking opportunities against us. Is that clear?""Ji hokum." Everyone agreed in unison as he walked away followed by Dheerbai.Sajjabai silently walked up to Kunwar Pratap and smiled "I am proud of you." Shakti approved hugging his brother. But Kunwar Pratap stared at his mother as both looked worried.Ajabde was in her room in tears. She sat hugging her sword as she remembered her harsh words to him, and what he did back there."Jija! Jija!" The door was almost broken by Ratan. "Come out now.""Leave me alone Ratan." She tried not to sob. I can't face him after this, I can't see people blame him and punish him while I stand there bound by my promise."They are leaving Jija." Made her stand up worried. She opened the door as Ratan saw her crying face and turned pale. She had never seen her Jija cry, she was the strongest soul she knew."Jija?" Ratan hugged her worried. "What happened?""They are...." Her eyes widened as Ratan pointed at the main entrance. Ajabde lost no time to run down the corridor wiping her tears.Kunwar Pratap looked around as he was about to get on the horse. He looked up at the Jharokha, at the roof..."Kunwar Pratap!" His father's disappointed voice shook him. "Let's go."He nodded getting on the horse as the procession started. Jaivanta Bai removed the curtains and looked back at the empty palace entrance. Udai Singh was so ashamed of his son, he sought forgiveness from Raoji for his insults. He was fuming still. But Jaivanta Bai hoped someone told Ajabde.Kunwar Pratap looked back more than once as the palace became smaller. He sighed controlling his tears. Something told him he was losing her forever.Ajabde ran out as soon as Raoji had left the entrance. Hansa Bai who still stood there was a little surprised to see her daughter run out. Her eyes were red, tears on her cheeks, her maantika misplaced and her hair flowing, and her dupatta trailed behind her. She sat down on the last step and stared at the dark empty road. Hansa Bai rushed to hold her."Ajabde! Ajabde?" She seemed so broken, shattered. Hansa Bai was scared."Ajab..." She wiped away the tears as Ajabde hugged her tight."It's all my fault, I said those words, I misunderstood, and I didn't trust him at all. He... He....""Ajab." Hansa was still clueless and worried. "Do you... like Kunwar Pratap?" Her words made Ajabde regain her composure. She stood up wiping away her tears."I don't know what you mean Maasa." She ran back in as Hansa stood worriedKunwar Pratap was looking back again and again at the forest trail. It didn't escape his brother who wished he would talk and his father who now looked worried."She is not coming for you, she promised you." Udai Singh spoke up, not sure if that was enough. Kunwar Pratap stopped looking back and didn't answer." Who is..""You promised not to ask." Came to a determined answer as he fell back a little letting the king ride ahead as he shook his head.Chittorgarh welcomed their favourite son at dawn surprised and pleased. Once at the Mahal, Veerbai stepped out to welcome them when Jagmal ran out to hug his mother. Kunwar Pratap stood for the tilak and ran to his room. Sajja Bai looked worried as Shakti wanted to follow him but Jaivanta Bai stopped him.In his room, Kunwar Pratap sat down on the floor, letting his tears flow. A month back if someone told him they had cried in love he would have laughed saying he had better things to deal with. But today, she was the only thing his mind occupied. He knew his father's love would eventually save him from any punishment, not that he feared any. But Ajabde? She might be feeling he didn't want to fight for them like she accused. How could he go back? How could he wish and pray it was not too late?A knock made him stand up and wipe his tears."Come in."" Baojiraj." Chakrapani looked worried. "How did this happen?" He narrated the night's events to his friend.A sevak came into the room. "Hukum has called you to his chambers Baojiraj." He nodded and left leaving Chakrapani worried." For what you did, I am going to give you the terms of punishment now." Udai Singh spoke as the queens and Shakti stood witness. Kunwar Pratap was silent." You will not leave your room, send letters or talk to anyone without my permission. You will have a meal a day for the next week and no time at the Dangal. You will have no say in the administration and I relieve you of your duties of Senapati as of now.""But Ranaji..." Sajja Bai dared to speak as Udai Singh spoke up "That's my final decision. Leave."As everyone left, Udai Singh looked worried. Dheerbai put her hand on his shoulder reassuringly." I don't understand Dheerbaiji, what will stop this boy? He decides from the heart and is so stubborn. This is not the first time, he could land in serious trouble.""Ranaji, I think he just lacks maturity. We should make him more mature.""How?""By getting him married." She smiled adding "When I was in Marwar I met my sister's...""Dheerbai ji he is just turning seventeen. Marriage...""You also married Jija and had him that early and seeing your marriage helped you prosper, it will help him too." She spoke. Now come and tell him about the Samant Putri Kunwar Pratap. Am sure you will be disowned then!" All right look for brides." Udai Singh walked away."Kunwar Pratap's bride?" Ratan's words made her heart sink. How could he..."Yes news is he will be getting married and... Rani Bhattyani is looking for a ...""Who is?" Ajabde asked as hope filled her heart. "Rani Bhattyani?"Ratan nodded continuing "I wonder if he would call us...."Ajabde heard nothing more. He would come for her. She knew it. Her heart said it. No matter what she had said she believed he would fight for their love. No matter how hard, he will convince his father and not let her family be hurt as well. Baijilal believed in her Sakhaveer. Ajabde in her Kunwar Pratap. She would wait. Even if it meant forever. She sat praying. For his safety and their Love. She was restless knowing he would be too. Now Time was her only Hope. 

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