Chapter-5: The Blessing

“Rawatji.. Aasha karte hai ki aapko yaha pe koi kasht nahi ho raha hai” Haripura’s chieftain Jaimal asked as he saw Rawatji near the temple.

“Arre.. Kaisi baat kar rahe hai Jaimalji.. Aapne itni kam samay me humara itna dhyan rakha.. Hum iske bahut abhaari hai..” Rawatji holded his hands in gratitude.

“Yeh toh humara saubhagya hai ki aap humare utsav mei bhaag le rahe hai..” Jaimal said showing the decorations of the village.

“Waise humare dhyan mei yeh toh avashya aaya ki yaha ka Puja Chittor se alag dikh raha hai..”

Jaimal explained the speciality of Haipura’s Gangaur. While most of the rituals were the same, there were some particular rituals which were unique for them. He pointed at the hill which towered majestically over the lake. The left side of the hill was east and right was west. Each year the husband and the wife have to see the reflections of their significant other in the lake two times. Once, late in the night when the moon is in the right side of the hill and another in the next day morning when the sun is in the left side. The wives make the husbands drink water from the lake and take their blessings. By doing this they get the blessings of all 4 deities of Haripura, the sun, the moon, the haripura hill and the lake.

But there was an even special time. During dawn, There is a special time when the sun would have started to rise but the moon would not have disappeared yet. A special cosmic beautiful moment, when the sun is in the left side and moon is in the right side of the hill. Any couple who do the puja at that particular moment is said to have been blessed by the whole universe.

“Par.. Kya karein?” Jaimal’s wife Ganga lamented. “Vivah ke baad humne kitni baar prayaas kiya.. par koi na koi kaaran se hum uss muhurat ko dekh nahi paate.. Matr.. kuch Kshanon keliye hota hai who muhurat.. Humere gaon mei hi.. bahut kam log hi hai jinhe woh swarn avasar prapth hua..”

“Aasha karthe hai ki iss baar aapko woh swarn avsar prath ho.. Gangabaiji” Rawatji said politely.

“Humare pati udhe tab na.. Kumbhkaran ki baati sote hai… Kehte hai us muhurat mei toh sakshal Shiv-Parvati ka darshan prapth hota hai...Hum patniyon ki vidhambana dekhiye..”

“Hum patiyon ki bhi kya duvidhaye hai..” Jaimal teased his wife. “Pehle toh raath bhar chaand ka prateeksha karte raho aur subah sheekr udkar surya devta ko dekho.. aur milta hai toh.. matr ek lota bhar paani..”

Rawatji laughed as Ganga shook her head disapprovingly at her husband. Then she folded her hands and said, “Acha abhi hume aagya dijiye.. Hum Rajkumariyon ko dekhkar aate hai..”

Rawatji looked around, “Baujiraaj nahi dikhaye de rahe?”

“Kunwarsa ne humse gaon ke akhade ki aur ka marg poonch rahe the.. thodi samay pehle..”

Together they both reached the ground. Pratap was fighting many people at once. To others, it would have looked as if Kunwar Pratap was just practicing, But Rawatji knew it was not. The moves were a lot more aggressive for mere drill. He was more on the offensive side than usual. Finally it became one-on-one match between him and the village champion. Pratap’s moves were less than friendly. Each and every attack seemed to be spiteful. Before the things take a nasty turn, Rawatji decided to stop the ‘friendly’ match. It took some effort but Kunwar Pratap finally calmed down.

“Aapko yeh kya ho gaya.. Baujiraaj?” He asked after taking Pratap away from arena. “Jab se aap Jalaluddin Mohammed se yudh kar ke aye hai.. Aapka mann ashant hai…”

Pratap looked away, “Aisa kuch nahi hai Rawatji.. Hum to bas abhyaas kar rahe the..”

Rawatji was not convinced, “Hum aapke abhyaas ko bahut baar dekh chuke hai.. Chittor mei toh aapne kabhi bhi kisi kam anubhavi sainik ke saath jaanleva paitre nahi kiye… Toh aaj kyun..”

“Kisi par bhi vishvaas nahi kar sakte..Rawatji.. Yudh matr shatruvon se hi nahi.. mitruvon se bhi karna padta hai.. tab abhyaas ke niyam bhi badalne padenge..” He said more to himself.

“Arthaath?”

Rawatji saw Pratap trying to compose himself. He smiled a fake smile as if to assure Rawatji that everything was under control. “Arthaath kuch nahi.. Hum bas unki pareeksha le rahe the.. Agar humare kaaran unke gaon par koi aakraman hota hai toh ve apne gaon ko bachane ke liye kitne sakth hai.. Hum woh dekh rahe the..”

Rawatji was no fool. He understood that there was something which his Baujiraaj was not sharing with him. But he did not press any further. They discussed their next strategies. They both decided not to inform Rana Uday Singh about the Mughals. Boondi’s messenger had informed them that a pack of soldiers were on their way. All they needed was, information on Jalal’s next move which sadly they did not possess yet. They needed a plan to move forward.

They cannot stay in the village longer and when they are out of the village, there is a chance that they might get attacked

As they neared the chieftain’s house, Rawatji suggested to meet the princesses. Inside, they met Gangabaiji.

“Khamma Ghani Kunwarsa, Khamma Ghani Rawatji”

“Ghani khamma.. Ganga baiji.. Phool Kanwar ab kaisi hai..” Rawatji asked as Kunwar Pratap looked around.

“Phool Kanwar ka swastya ab pehle se theek hai..Unka jwar bhi ab kam hota ja raha hai…Vaidji ne kaha ki ve sheekr hi theek ho jayegi… ” Rawatji smiled.

Phool Kanwar Rathore was the key for a peaceful era of Rajputuna. Rao Mamrath and other samants have informed him of their plan to unite Mewar and Marwar. If it works, then, no one can conquer their motherland. Kunwar Pratap bringing Phool Kanwar to Chittor was already a good sign and seeing Kunwar Pratap save Phool from Jalal, even Rawatji was optimistic about the alliance.

“Chinta toh hume Ajabdeh baisa ke liye ho rahi hai..” Gangabaiji continued.

“Ajabdeh?” Kunwar Pratap asked. “Kya hua unhe? Theek toh hai na?” His worry was really visible in his face.

“Nahi.. nahi.. Kunwarsa.. Aisi koi baat nahi hai.. Hum bas yeh keh rahe the ki.. Ajabdeh baisa ne abhi tak paani bhi na pi.. Apni saheli ki dhyan aise kar rahi hai jaise ek maa apni beti ki kar rahi hai.. Unka swastya dekh dekh ke kahi apni swasthya na bigade.. Yahi tatparya tha humara kehne ka..” Gangabaiji tried to console a concerned Pratap.

“Aap dono bheeter aake mil lijiye unse.” She suggested when she saw that Kunwar Pratap was still not convinced.

Gangabaiji was woman who had keen eyes. She knew what to look and when to look. As soon as she led both the men inside the room, she carefully observed Kunwar Pratap’s actions. She smiled as she saw him stare at the girl who was nursing. Ajabdeh stopped her nursing and folded her hands in welcome as they came inside. She glanced at Kunwar Pratap only to look away.

“Kshama Kijiye baisa.. Hum apna parichay hi karna bhool gaye.. hum Rawat Sai Das Chundawat hai.. Mewar ka ek sevak.” Rawatji folded his hands as he introduced himself.

Ajabdeh came out of the bed and touched his feet. “Humne aapke baare mei bahut kuch suna hai.. Aap apne har nirnay mai Mewar ki bhavishya ke baare mei sochte hai..Daata kehte hai ki Ranaji aapki bahut maan rakhte hai.. Aur kyun na ho? Aap hi ne toh unka raajtilak karvaya tha..”

“Bas bas.. Baisa.. Itni prashamsha mat kijiye hamari.. Ek yodha ke liye sabse haanikarak hota hai ki aap jaise sundar kanya ke mukh se prashamsa” Rawatji laughed.

“Haanikaarak tab hota jab hum prashamsha kar rahe ho.. parntu hum toh satya keh rahe hai..” Ajabdeh replied politely.

“Hume to ab Rao Mamrathji se eershya hone lagi.. Unke paas aap jaisi beti jo hai”

Gangabaiji noticed that the girl tried to avoid any eye contact with Kunwar Pratap while his eyes were not leaving her. “Humne suna ki aapne abhi tak bhojan nahi kiya?” Pratap asked.

“Ji..” She hesitated. “Woh hume bhook nahi..”

Pratap didn’t let her finish, “Dekhiye Ajabdeh...Aap bina bhojan khaye Phool ka dhyan kaise rakh sathi hai.. Aap sabka sochti hai parantu apna nahi..”

“Kunwar Pratap.. ”

“Hum kuch nahi jaante, Ajabdeh..” And their eyes met. His voiced softened. “Aapko khaana padega”

Now that their eyes met, she couldn’t see anywhere else, “Ji.. hum khayenge..”

Then realising what they were doing, she looked away. Gangabaiji knew it. Kunwar Pratap liked Ajabdeh and Ajabdeh liked him.

“Ajabdeh!!” Phool murmured in her sleep.

“Phool!!” Ajabdeh rushed to her friend. Phool was slowly regaining consciousness. Everyone came near. She opened her eyes. At first she didn’t recognise anyone.. her eyes searched for someone familiar and they landed on Ajabdeh.

“Ajabdeh!” She hugged her friend. “Ajabdeh! Hum bahut dar gaye the..”

“Phool.. Aapko kuch nahi hua hai…”

Phool was still tired. Ajabdeh made her lean on the pillow. “Phool.. aapne toh hume dara hi diya…” Ajabdeh said as she made her friend drink some water.

“Humne daraya?” Phool asked as she started to get some of her energy back. “Aur aapne jo kiya uska kya… Uss desh drohi ko bachane ki liye apna jeevan kyun sankat mei dal diya..Aapko kuch ho jata toh?”

Everyone left the friends in their own world. Gangabaiji left for the puja. Rawatji and Pratap decided to meet Gauharjaan first and then go to temple. Jaimal was already there when they reached.

“Pata nahi usko kya hua hai? Jab se aayi hai Namaaz pad rahi hai.. Ek boond paani bhi nahi pi rahi hai…” He said pointing towards the hut which acted as the prison.

“Kahi.. Yahan se swatantru hone ke liye aapne bhagwan se prarthana toh nahi maang rahi”

he laughed. Jaimal went for the puja after ordering the guard to be extra careful. Rawatji and Pratap entered the hut to meet her. It was exactly like Jaimal had said, The woman was bent down in namaz.

Rawatji hesitated, wasn’t it rude to interrupt someone when they were praying. But then she got up and smiled at them. He was surprised, This lady was not the lady whom they had rescued from the cliff. She now had a peaceful air around her. She looked like in a state of bliss. A bliss similar to that of attaining atonement. He looked at Kunwar Pratap. He was also in a similar state of disbelief. What had happened? He looked at the woman.

“Hum aapke namaaz mei vighn nahi dalna chahte the…” Rawatji started.

“Yeh namaaz nahi.. Yeh toh hum apne allah se shukriya keh rahe the” Gauharjaan said.

“Kyun?” Pratap asked.

“Hume toh ab yeh pata hai ki ya to shehanshah hume maarenge..ya aap log.. par marne se pehle allah ne hume ek farishte se milwarkar humari zindagi khalis kar diya.. Uske liye hum ahasan mandi hai.. ”

“Hum samjhe nahi” Pratap asked yet again.

“Ajabdeh.. Hume bachate waqt humne unme khuda ka noor dikha… Ab hume koi afsos nahi..”

“Dekhiye..Hum tumse Jalal k agle chaal ke baare mein poonchne ke liye aaye hai..” Pratap asked. Gauharjaan smiled. “Jahanpanah.. Ab ve ab sabko barbaat karne ki zid pakadkar baitenge.. Unhe ab kuch bhi karke apni maksad poori karvani ki junoon chad chuka hoga..Kuch bhi karke..”

…

“Jalal.. Yeh hai woh aadmi..”

His grey eyes inspected the person. A weak, ugly man. He was from Haripura. He looked too poor. He was going to betray his mother land for some money. A disgusting coward. Jalal smiled. He wanted a disgusting person like him for this very purpose.

“Gaur se suno humari baat.. Jaise hum kahenge waise hi karna.. toh hum tumhe malamal bana denge..”

“Jo hokum..” The man who called himself Bhuvan shivered before the emperor’s cold glare.

…

It was midnight. Pratap couldn’t sleep. He just wished everything which happened till now was just a part of a nightmare. Understanding the uselessness of all his attempts to sleep he walked towards the lake. He looked at the lake with envy. The lake was so peaceful. It had noworries, no hurt, no pain. He wished if he could be like that, but he knew it was impossible.

He was after all Pratap Singh.. He was cursed with a life of no love.. First Som.. then Krishna..and then him.. anyone whom he loved like a friend was bound go away from him. He was so tired of his life that he couldn’t even cry anymore.

He stiffened as he heard the familiar sound of anklets coming towards him.

“Ajabdeh?”

“Kunwar Pratap? Aap? Iss samay? Yahan?” She asked surprised.

“Humari chodiye.. Aap yaha kya kar rahi hai? Kya itni raat ko yaha tak akele aana aapko surakshit lagtha hai?” He asked her.

“Ji.. hum toh bas.. Paani lene..”

“Paani lene ke liye aap kisi daasi ko bhi bhej sakti thi.. aise akele aane ki kya aavashyatha thi?” He was now angry. How careless can this girl be?

“Ji.. Humne saari daasiyon ko vishram karne ke liye bhej diye.. Itni lambi yatra karke aaye hai ve bhi humare saath..Humne socha.. unko bhi vishram chahiye hoga.. isiliye..hume kshema kijiye.. ” She explained as she bowed her head.

Pratap didn’t knew what to say to this girl. He sat down.

“Aap aise kyun hai Ajabdeh?” He said as he looked at the lake. “Aise har kisi ke baare mei sochna band kariye aap..”

She sat beside him but did not utter anything as if waiting for something.

“Doosron ke baare mei sochna.. unko apne mann mei sthan dena.. yeh sab aapko bahut bada chot pahuncha sakta hai..” He said hopelessly.

“Hum jaante hai..” Her reply surprised him. He expected her to disagree with him or even ask reasons behind his statements. But when she replied it felt as though she too felt the same loss as him. He looked at her.

“Toh bhir kyun?”

“Kyunki hume doosron ke sukh se sukh miltha hai.. Jab hum apne bare mei kam aur jag ki sukh ka adhik sochte hai toh.. Jag mei samadhan bad sakta hai.. hai na? ”she said looking at the lake. Her eyes reflected some deep sorrow.

“Jag mein samadhan? Jab mann hi ashanth hai toh kaise karenge hum yeh..” He said irritatedly.

He saw her look at him quizzically. And then he did something which he did not expect him to do. He opened his mind to her. He told her everything. How he met Jalal First time. How they fought? The deep connection which they both felt after samadhi of Meera Maa. Their unique relationship which their reality destroyed. As he started narrating each incident, the tears started flowing from his eyes. He did not feel embarrassed crying in front of her. She just listened to him. She did not utter a single word to console him, yet he felt a certain lightness in his heart.

“Ab aapko hume iss avasta mei dekhkar nirasha ho raha hoga.. hai na? Ek mahan yodha hoka bhi aise rona.. aapke saamne..” He said wiping his tears.

She shook her head. “Nahi.. Hume garv hai..”

He looked at her, yet again surprised by her reply. She smiled at him. “Aap ek sache Kshatriya ke bhaati apne dharam ka paalan kiya.. Saamne jo bhi ho.. aapne apni matrubhoomi ke swabhimaan ko bachaya… Phool ko bachaya.. aur toh aur.. aapkiyeh kahani sunkar humare mann mei aapke liye aur bhi aadar hogaya hai.. ”

“Kyun?” He asked.

“Kyunki ab aap matr ek veer yodha nahi.. balki ek mahan manushya bhi hai… Yodhavon ko yudh karna hoga.. par ek mahan vyakti ko apne mann hi mann sangharsh karke uss mann ko drud banana padtah hai.. Ek yodha bahari chot khata hai.. parantu ek mahan vyakthi androoni chot khate hai jinhe bharne ka upchar unke apne ke haathon mei hai.. Woh Chahe toh uss chot ko bhar kar Jeevan mei aage bad sakta hai ya Jeevan bhar uss chot ke sahare se apna dharm aur apna karam na karke sabko sankat mei dal sakte hai..”

He looked at her again. She was still looking at the lake. She had done the thing which he thought was impossible. Yes, he had to come out of his grief. He was after all a Rajput. He shouldn’t mop around for a loss which wasn’t a loss after all. He felt mare calm. This was the magic of Ajabdeh. There was something in her that calms him. She was like his Ranimaa but somewhat more. Ranimaa was his mother but Ajabdeh was his..his..

He remembered the dream which he had when the snake bit him. Ajabdeh and Ranimaa together preparing for puja in Chittor. In the dream, Ajabdeh was much more than a friend..she was… his..

“Kunwar Pratap.. Dekhiye..” She said pointing at the fireflies. His chain of thought stopped abruptly as he saw her smiling at the fireflies.

“Kitne sundar lag rahe hai yeh jungu..” She said as she went near the lake to get closer to the jugnus. He went and stood beside her. Her smile was mesmerising. If he could he would see her smiling like this for whole his life. Her long hair danced behind her to the tune of the breeze.

“Surya aur Chandra.. dono ek saath.. Kithna adbhooh drishya hai..” Her whisper made him look away from her face and to the direction she was looking.

It was enchanting. The sky was painted with a boiling orange on the left side of the hill while the right side was still dipped in the peaceful midnight blue. The sun and moon adorned their respective skies. The dark silhouette of the hill contrasted with both the skies almost acting as a border between the clashing forces. The lights from the fireflies reflected on the mirror like lake making it as though many diyas are floating worshipping the heavenly beauties.

There was unique hushed atmosphere around them as though the trees themselves were waiting with bated breath waiting for something. The water in the lake moved along with the wind.. gently.. softly..

This image had a peculiar charm to it. It made him calm as well as gave him an incredible amount of strength to face his life. It was not just breath-taking but it also managed to bring tears into his eyes. He looked at the lake to find Ajabdeh’s eyes also teary in her reflection.

She looked back at his reflection. Both of them had nothing to say to each other.

Suddenly Pratap started coughing because of held up tears. Ajabdeh was quick to act. She filled some water in her small Lota and offered it to him. He drank it with eyes closed relishing every single drop moving down his throat. He opened his eyes and saw something incredible.. impossible..

“Ajabdeh.. Dekhiye..” As the lota fell from his hands.

She looked towards the hill. The dark outline of the hill was now partially coloured by the lights of both sun and moon. The shadows and lights swanned on the hill’s surface almost splattering it. The left side looked like a man’s half face. The man had a fierce eye but a calm smile. The right side looked like a half of a caring mother whose eye oozed of love and smile held the light of wisdom. There was no doubt.

“Ardhanaarishwar.. Shiv-Parvati sangam” She whispered.

They both folded their hands in prayer. The cosmic splendour which they witnessed was something which they could not forget even if they tried. It was like the nature opened its treasure chest and showed one of the rare secrets. For a long time, they stood there with their eyes closed, overwhelmed by what they saw.

Pratap opened his eyes first. The moment has passed. Now the sky started turning blue.. The fireflies left. The lake was still calm. He looked at Ajabdeh, who still had her eyes closed. The serenity which she radiated from her whole body was itself the proof that what he saw was not a dream. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. When she finally opened her eyes, she smiled at him. A contented smile. She then picked up the lota filled it up with water. They both went towards their respective huts without talking. There was no need.