The whole Chittorgarh fort was decked up with garlands made of marigold flowers and mango leaves . Streets from the fort to the palace were washed and intricate rangolis applied on each side. Even for a palace of Mewar , one of the important states of Rajputana this was unusual unless it was Deepavali. But people of Chittor and Mewar found themselves as ecstatic as a festival. Their prince had proved himself again that he is one to be remembered for ages. At a mere age of 18 he had successfully ran a campaign in the surrounding states of Marwar and as far as Indore to stand united against the external forces like Mughals and Afgans. He was returning back now after months travelling across the Rajputana.
Ajabde stood slightly behind her Ranima who was holding a Thali for Vijay Tilak of her son on the upper patio of the palace entrance. Behind them in the inner huge courtyard all the ministers , court members, officials and important businessmen stood on both ways ready to welcome the King and the prince. Ajabde could hear the incessant chatter behind her but her focus was on the palace entrance where sea of people stood to get a glimpse of their king and the prince. It had been months since she last saw him and her heart was racing to get just one glimpse of him. Ranima turned to her to say something when she saw him enter the gateway on his white horse whom he lovingly called Sarang. With a straight stature and wide build , always one word came to her mind that described Lord Ram, Ajanubahu. She smiled at her own thoughts. Now ascribing Him to Lord Ram and what is she Maata Sita? she chuckled berating herself. Kunwar Pratap Singh got down from the horse near the staircase and turned to the crowd folding his hands in a humble greeting to the crowd. People cheered loudly seeing their prince's gesture. Turning back he climbed the stair case behind the King with a smile. She still stood behind Ranima while other queens of the King stood beside her Ranima on both sides of her. She always made sure she stood slightly behind her befitting her status and it helped her not to ever come in the forefront. Thats how she always preferred. She could never be able to handle all the attention she thought.
King and the prince reached top of the staircase as Ranima stepped forward to do the Aarti to the king while the prince stood smiling at his mother. She did not expect anything different from the prince. It was well known that the prince was a darling son of his mother whom he considered his guiding light even more than his father. While the king and the queen exchanged pleasantries, Ajabde tried hard to not be conspicuous but she thought she is miserably failing in keeping her demeanour amicable and not obvious while she kept glancing towards the prince and thats when it happened. The crown prince, Kunwar Pratap Singh of Mewar looked at her smiling and gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. She almost ended up hyperventilating but thanks to years of practice of hiding her emotions she could manage to not getting embarrassed in front of so many people but by the time she could manage to calm herself down it looked like prince had caught on giving an amused look before he turned his attention to his mother.
"Kunwarji , It feels like you have grown taller and thinner" Ranima observed
"Maasa, you always say this. This time it cannot be true though. Every place we visited stuffed us with so much food" He chuckled
"So you did not miss my cooking then. Good" Ranima handed the Thali to her paving the way for him to enter
"Are you sad or happy about it" he questioned his mother as he entered while sharing amused look at her while she was still trying to get hold of herself with what happened earlier.
"Ajab, my son has grown up and out of his mothers nest . All i have is you " His mother gave a dramatic sigh earning a chuckle from him while she smiled at her Ranima
"Maasa, stop being so dramatic." he was about to say something when they reached the inner hall where courtiers had gathered and his attention were drawn there .
Ajabde could see he was making note of the people gathered there. He had said to her once "Help comes in an unexpected way from unexpected people. its good to keep note of influential people in your kingdom"
Ranima left the courtyard towards their quarters and she followed her giving a last glance at him as she turned towards the east wing of the palace.
YOU ARE READING
Samanth Putri
Historical FictionLoosely based on the story of Maharana Pratap and his queen Maharani Ajabde Punwar. Pratap Singh : Crown prince of Mewad state in Rajasthan. Well loved and respected by people already. Ajabde Punwar : Smart , sensible daughter of one of the subordi...