Chapter 32
Rao Maldev was a desperate man he had lost everything his kingdom, respect, loved ones and life as he knew was over. He had made a run for it after watching that Saka die on the field. He had no desire to die at the hands of that young boy Pratap and also the entire council had already passed the judgement - his title of being Rana of Marwar was snatched away from him, he was a mere criminal in the eyes of the Rajputana. So he fled along with his wife and that Dheer who tagged along as she feared for her life as well but he had a nagging feeling about having that woman with him. She was quite deranged and delusional but to what extent he did not know but when he saw his wife's body lying in a pool of blood he realised that he had brought the devil with him
Who killed her? He roared at the woman standing near to UD's lifeless body and crying.
Pointing towards the unconscious girl Dheer looked at Rao Maldev with wet lashes and sobbed out, she managed to break free of her bonds as Jija was trying to make her drink water and then this commoner's daughter lost her senses and screamed at us and when Jija tried to defend herself this girl she stabbed her with the sword like a madman, I tried my best to stop her but I was too late...and with that Dheer burst into tears and kept on holding her hand which had a rather deep wound on it
Rao Maldev lost it- he strode forward and snatched the girl and slapped her, Ajabde jerked awake and on realising who was holding her she began struggling
Let me go you fiend she screamed but to no avail as Rao Maldev had finally given into his crazy mind and went on a rampage. He threw Ajabde over his shoulders and took her out and the last thing he said to DB was, Leave before that boy comes, you will find a carriage waiting by the riverside. It will take you safely to the borders from where you can decide to go anywhere and keep this (throws a pouch full of gold coins at her)
He leaves and so does DB
Pratap had a sinking feeling in the pit of stomach something was definitely wrong he could feel it. Ajabde's face came in front of him and he prayed, wait for me Ajab I'm coming for you and with that he rushed Chetak towards the forest he was informed by the spies that Maldev had be seen last
Ajabde kept on hitting the man who was carrying her like a rag anywhere place she could reach she hit him only to be thrown down
Maldev: You think you can ruin me and lead a happy life with that Pratap of yours. I promise you that when I'm finished with you forget Pratap you will be scared of your own shadow
Ajabde: Don't you dare come near me. I'm warning you, don't you came near me
Maldev: What would you do if I did and I do intend on doing way more than just coming near you
Ajabde took a chance and hit him with her legs and then pushed him and ran for her life. She didn't know which direction to run but she ran and ran only to realise that she was going around in a circle, she stopped near a tree and took a breath but unfortunately Maldev had found her and pulled her by the elbow towards him, she struggled but was no match for him and then she screamed for Help...
Help me please somebody...
Maldev looked at her and said no one is coming to your rescue I should have done this when I entered your room that night but that Jaiwanta Bai came in between but not tonight no one is coming to save you tonight and with that he made a move towards her dupatta and Ajabde shut her eyes praying to her Kanhaji for a miracle.
The hand never came near her in a swift movement it seemed that the monster was thrown off her and a loud thump was heard. Ajabde opened her eyes to see Pratap standing in front of her in a protective stance, she slowly stood up with the help of the tree nearby as her leg had been injured and she sobbed out Pra...Pratap
Pratap had never been this scared in his life he had followed the sounds of the anklets and then heard Ajabde's plea for help the scene he saw had his blood boiling that Maldev was trying to force himself on his Ajab who was trying to fight him but clearly she was a no match for a man like him. When he moved his hands towards her it was all he could do to not cut him right there, he held the arm and pulled him off her and threw him back. He stared at the man with fire raging in his eyes and entire body when he heard her call for him and so he turned towards her
She was hurt and scared so he made a tentative move towards her but when she threw herself in his arms he held her tight while rubbing her hair and kept on telling her
It's alright now Ajab, I'm here. He will never ever hurt you anymore. I promise. It is okay
Ajabde just held him tightly thanking her stars for sending Pratap at the right moment, all she could say was he was about to...I tried stopping him but he was too big and burst into tears
Chapter 33
Pratap had heard everything she said, he slowly distanced himself and made her sit by the tree and turned towards the man who was responsible for everything. Taking out his sword he strode confidently and said, pick up your sword and fight like a man you coward
Maldev picked up his sword and attacked - the final fight had begun
Pratap was fuming and enraged for what Maldev intended to do with the love of his life whereas Maldev was equally angry for the way his secrets had come out in the open because of that girl. Both of them were on an equal footing when it came to the skills, Maldev had an advantage of experience but Pratap's determination and the fact that Ajabde was present there were enough to bring out the feral lion inside of him
Pratap did not give Maldev any opportunity to use against him all he could see was him on top of Ajabde trying to subdue her and then his hand moving towards her honour. With a flying twist he cut Maldev's hand and then gave him a cut on his back Maldev staggered and screamed in agony but there was no stopping Pratap
Ajabde was herself scared seeing Pratap so angry and raw she had never seen this side of him and it was truly terrifying but Pratap's words calmed her down
Maldev you coward how could you stoop so low as to harm a Rajputana woman's honour? We Rajputs always protect women and children and fight honourably but you are nothing but a stain on the Rajputana. I always pity my enemies but not you as you have shown that you are a snake
Maldev: Snake!! Your Choti Ma is a snake she was the mastermind behind the events that took place 5 years ago, it was her idea to blame that girl- the plan was that she would be forced to marry me but no she had to go ahead and ruin everything and then you had to run into her and bring her back from the dead
Maldev made a move towards Ajabde but Pratap halted him in mid-way and with a direct stab in the chest from Pratap the leech Maldev fell back on the ground but that did not stop Pratap who went and stabbed him again and again, Maldev's blood had splashed everywhere Pratap was covered in it, he turned around to see Ajabde watching apprehensively she was scared and so Pratap raised his sword and with a fluid motion cut off Maldev's head and it landed right at her feet
Ajabde did not even glance at the head instead she ran towards Pratap and started to check him - there is so much blood...are you hurt...please tell me...oh my god your shoulder is bleeding Kunwar Pratap, she tore of her dupatta and tied it around Pratap who was staring at the girl in front of him, he just couldn't control himself and he hugged her tight and was happy to realise that the embrace was returned as well
I was so scared Kunwar Pratap...one moment I was in my room and then everything went dark... I woke up to find Uma Devi and Dheer Bai fighting...ohhh Kunwar Pratap Uma Devi is dead her body is lying in a hut somewhere nearby
Pratap looked at her and she understood the question in his eyes, Dheer Baiji killed her when Uma Devi went against her. In brief Ajabde told Pratap the events leading to the point where he found her...
Pratap knew that there was no way Dheer Bai could be pardoned for her actions when all of a sudden the rain gods decided to reveal themselves. With a glorious show of thunder and lightning rains fell on the ground allowing the parched ground to satisfy the thirst it had. It also cleansed everything with it - all the evils, blood, dirt, sweat and tears were washed away but two young souls stood entwined in each other's arm feeling the love that surrounded them
Chapter 34
Pratap and Ajabde heard noises coming and they separated but Ajabde's injury got the best of her and she was just on the verge of falling when Pratap held her by the waist that led to an interesting eye-lock
Baujiraj!! Ajabde Baisa!!! Where are you? Jija!! Jija!! Bhai Pratap!!
Hearing to the voices of their friends and brothers both of went towards them well Pratap lifted Ajabde in his arms and carried her towards the rescue committee that had come looking for them..
Bhai she called out and both Balwant, Patta along with the others came rushing towards her. Jija are you alright...no you are not you are hurt...your leg is bleeding Wait Jija let me tie this around your leg both Balwant and Patta went into protective mode but one touch from their Jija calmed them down... I'm fine, yes I hurt my leg but otherwise I'm alright so calm down both of you.
On the other hand Pratap was having a staring competition with his stubborn younger brother Shakti who despite having received so many injuries had come out looking for him - he did not know whether to hug him or beat him
You were supposed to rest Shakti he said in a strict tone and looked at his injuries to which his amazing brother responded what to do bhai but the outdoors called for me and you know when someone calls for Shakti ...Shakti responds besides a few more moments looking at the ladies teary faces and worries I would have gone mad...
Pratap cracked a smile and gently hugged his brother and then his friends.
Chakrapani: Baujiraj we have brought a palki with us for Rajkumarisa, we should move towards the palace. Maldev's body or rather pieces of it have been secured by the soldiers
Pratap nods and then again lifts Ajabde and helps her sit in the palki and then moves to help his brother and so along with her protectors Ajabde goes back to the palace where her family was waiting for her.
Jhanak
