Samanth Putri

Part 16 : Anguish

Next morning, Ranima was ecstatic hearing about the engagement decision. Usually engagement was prevalent among Rajputs if the wedding was set by the parents when the kids were pretty young. It was more of an announcement that the girl was already taken. Although unusual under this circumstance this would at least give an official stamp on their relationship.

When Ajabde was leaving for the treasury office, Pratap stopped her near the gate of the inner palace. He too was going towards the administrative building so they could go together. He left towards the horse stable to get Sarang while Ajabde waited outside the outer palace gate. She was eager to meet Sarang. On the way back from Bijolia she had made friends with Sarang. Now whenever she came in sight , Sarang would charge towards her or if he was tied he would neigh loudly to get her attention. And right on time she heard the familiar sound of horse hoops. She went closer to Sarang, patting his face and talking to him. Pratap smiled at her baby-like voice while talking to Sarang.
"He is not a baby like Moti you know" he teased her.
She continued to talk to Sarang ignoring him completely with Sarang neighing now and then as if agreeing to all her sweet talks. Pratap shook his head smiling at their interaction and then pulled Sarang forward with Ajabde walking beside them. He would ride on Sarang after he walked Ajabde to her office.

Only when they started getting the attention of the people on their way did she realise the stark difference from the last time she had walked with Kunwarsa. Then it was their crown prince and the girl they very well knew from the palace walking together but now it was their future king and queen. She began to feel self-conscious when people were greeting them with a huge grin on their face indicating their happiness. Pratap looked nonchalant as usual greeting them in return.
"What happened ? Why is your face so red? " He asked, knowing very well why. She tried to glare at him subtly but not wanting to show it in front of the people around them. He smirked at her unsuccessful attempt of annoyance. He was thoroughly enjoying seeing her so flustered but also content seeing how his subjects were genuinely happy of his choice. As the treasury office came into view she stopped abruptly. Pratap turned towards her with raised eyebrows asking why she stopped.
"Kunwarsa, which office are you going to?" she asked him.
"Trade. But I will leave you at the treasury, meet Isvar Kaka and then go to the trade office" he said, moving forward.
"No." she said with panic in her eyes. "Ajab, what's wrong?"
"You cannot come in there like that" she said
He was really clueless why she was acting like that. "Ajab?"
"It will be awkward if you come with me. If you want to, come later" she tried. Why can't he understand? Now he realised that she was too shy to enter her office with him. He acted as if he still did not understand.
"Ajab, why would it be awkward? You are not meeting them or me for the first time".
This was too much. She understood that he was playing with her.
She huffed "You are not coming with me. That's it. Come later" she said and ran off after quickly hugging Sarang and waving bye at Giridhar who was following behind. But she stopped right before the entrance door, turning behind to look at him. He knew that she would. He smiled at her who smiled shyly in return and ran off again. He chuckled lightly at her bashfulness then left to carry on with his business for the day.

That afternoon Ajabde had decided to visit her favourite Durga temple as it was Friday which is an auspicious day to visit goddess temple. Usually Sakku used to accompany her but due to some family obligations Sakku had informed her that she would come late in the evening so she had to go alone to the temple. Of course now the guards were her constant followers. The two guards Narayan and Ashwathama were in their mid twenties who were personally picked by Pratap. They looked scary due to their build but they were very sweet and shy people . They talked very little but they had become fond of their sweet to be Kunwarani.  As they neared the temple they saw a large number of women inside. Ajabde asked them to stay outside as women and kids would be intimidated seeing her with guards. Last thing she wanted was people she interacted daily with, shy away from her that too when she was yet to become the wife of the prince. Guards were sceptical since their Kunwarsa had given clear instruction that she was not to be allowed out of sight and here with such a large crowd even though they would be in hearing distance they would not have a clear view of all sides of her. They tried to explain the same to her but she assured them that she will be alert and will call for them if she senses something dangerous. At last the guards had to agree to her order.