The Good News
He kept a watch on his sleeping wife who must be having a really good dream he thought seeing the smile on her face but then she had a frown on her face while her hand clutched her abdomen. He placed his hand on top and softly whispered: Everything is alright. You are safe Ajabde. Our baby is safe. His words did the trick and she relaxed while the man beside her stared straight ahead into the dark night sky
They had returned to Chittor after Goswami Tulsidas ji predicted a disaster in his home. He needed that gentle reminder of his duty towards his motherland just like he had needed a reminder towards his wife whom he had left once again in the spur of the moment and who did not raise any objection to his departure- it was like she had accepted her fate with him. His Guru was right when he said that life with him was a hard task and Ajabde had gone through hell because of it. First losing her father then 8 years of separation where she had to become BaijiLal for her people and to protect them against the Afghans and then after their Gauna his own mother figure Rani DheerBai and his step brother Jagmal had plotted against the two of them constantly just like the event that took place that morning
Jagmal had spilled oil that morning on the steps so that Ajabde could fall over but Eklingji protected her and instead of Ajabde DheerBai had fallen down the steps creating a loud racket. Her back was badly injured and one of the servants had seen Jagmal spill the oil so he had been severely punished for his actions as well- now he was asked to clean the entire horse stable and cowshed for an entire month apart from performing all the rest of his duties as the servant.
His father had increased Ajabde's security which he totally agreed to - she was pregnant with their first child who would go on to be his successor. He was going to be a father the very word made his chest fill with pride and he took a vow to be there for his child in every step of the way and not burden him in any sense not that he was burdened but he knew the price that came from being a successor
Thinking about his would be child made him remember the day he learned about this news - he had been worried about his wife's health but the news had made him and his companions ecstatic and overjoyed. There had been celebrations before their departure
FLASHBACK
He ran crying out his wife's name as he searched for her in the jungle- she had left him in the temple with Goswami Tulsi Das ji just like he had wished but when he saw her retreating figure it was like Dj vu - 8yrs ago it was he who had left her on the steps of the temple accusing her of a crime she never committed and today she gave him the freedom to leave her for a path he wanted to choose. Tulsi Das ji had been patient enough for him to realise his folly and made him aware of it so now he was running in the forest trying to find out his wife when his eyes fell on her - she was sitting near the river bank allowing herself to feel the pain openly without anyone noticing it but he saw them her tears he had seem them earlier in their house as well and now. He was responsible for them - he had only given her pain and tears while she accepted them without raising a question in return. Why did she agree to let him go? He thought if the pain was so much why was she letting him go? Why was she not fighting for him to stay with her?
Ajabde sat reminiscing about the time she spent with her husband who wished to follow in the footsteps of Tulsi Das ji. She was being left behind all over again but this time it was just not her - he was leaving behind their symbol of love as well- their child. She had found out about her pregnancy recently and as per Kakisa's order she had dressed all up to tell her husband about the good news but he told her about his wish and there was no way she was going to become an obstacle in his path.
He called out her name once again and hearing his voice she quickly wiped her tears and stood up. As she turned around he came in front of her
Ajabde: what are you doing here?
Pratap: I could ask you the same thing you know
Ajabde: I was watching the stars Kunwar Pratap. So tell me what you are doing here when you should be with Goswami Tulsi Das ji
Pratap: He can wait till I make sure my wife reaches home safely
Ajabde: I'll manage and it's not like someone is going to jump out of the bushes to kill me she tried making a joke but seeing his expression she went silent
Pratap: Let's go it is getting dark
Something was not right her husband who was so happy on making the decision to go and collect Deeksha was behaving rather solemnly and his sudden appearance was confusing so she stood still while he had walked a few steps ahead of her when she finally asked him
Ajabde: Why are you here Kunwar Pratap?
Pratap faced his wife who was standing there looking at him like she could see right through his soul. Her gaze was unwavering and held a lot of questions but he also saw the little flicker of hope she was trying to subdue- the hope that maybe just maybe he had chosen her for once and not someone/something else and he could see her kill the hope right in front of him.
Ajabde: are you alright?
Pratap: You ask too many questions Ajabde
Ajabde: what? I ask too many questions well you don't give me answers
Pratap: Because you ask too many questions
Ajabde: Kunwar Pratap
Pratap: Ajabde
Ajabde: Fine don't tell me as if you ever tell me anything all I get to hear are decisions and she walks off
Pratap is glad his wife is angry because only in her anger does she speak her mind clearly though she becomes formal with him but he could work with her anger
Ajabde is upset with his behaviour and keeps on walking without looking at her path when suddenly steps on a thorny branch lying on the ground- even though she was wearing her shoes the thorns scratched against her ankle leaving angry red marks making her scream out in pain - Ahhh
Pratap saw the marks tainted with his wife's blood making him angry: You should see where you are walking Ajabde .What if you got hurt badly? Seeing tears in her eyes made him feel bad and he slowly took her leg while she held him by the shoulder to maintain her balance. He gently picked her up surprising her when she realised his gesture she began panicking
Kunwar Pratap I can walk please let me down. Kunwar Pratap someone will see us please let me down I can walk they are merely scratches you know
Pratap stared at his wife: No I won't let you down because I already did that quite a few times. Whenever you needed me the most I left you behind alone so I let you down but not anymore Ajabde. I'm going to be there for you always- I will keep all my promises I made to you and I intend on being with you through everything. There won't be any more scratches because I won't let you get hurt
Ajabde had tears in her eyes as she heard the words her heart and soul wanted to hear. He was staying with her- he was not going to leave her behind. She looked at his eyes which depicted the sincerity of his words- he was choosing her
That night Pratap showed Ajabde how much he loved her and what she meant to him. Next morning Ajabde got up early and went to the temple to offer her prayers but on her return she ran into Kakisa who wanted to know whether she had shared the news with her husband or not. Ajabde begged the elderly lady to give her some time so that she could build the courage to let her husband know. She decided to tell her husband as soon as she got back. As she stepped inside the house she smelt something burning - running to the kitchen she found it destroyed - everything was scattered on the ground while her husband was covered in flour trying to put off the fire - he had burnt the dal. Ajabde tried very hard in controlling her laughter but failed making her presence known to the man who wanted to impress his wife. Pratap saw her laughing and cracked a smile as well. She told him to get cleaned while she made breakfast for the both of them. Pratap came back dressed in new clothes to find his wife lying in an unconscious state in the kitchen - worried he called out for the Vaidji who ran in to check on his wife.
Vaidji gave Ajabde a check-up and was about to spill the beans when his wife came and said: she is fine- she needs proper rest and nutrients in her body and took her husband away leaving behind a confused husband
Ajabde woke up to find her husband holding her hand looking at her intently
Pratap: You scared me
Ajabde: What happened?
Pratap: You passed out again. This time Vaidji came himself and checked you
Ajabde (gets a bit alarmed): Did he tell you anything?
Pratap: No before he could tell me a word his wife came and took him away saying you needed proper nutrients and rest- she confuses me a lot
Ajabde smiled hearing about the elderly lady and looked at her husband: I'm alright Kunwar Pratap and Kakisa happens to be a wise lady. Besides she did say something right you know - I do need proper nutrients after all I'll be eating for two now
Pratap stared at his wife - eating for two? Why would she be eating for two?
Ajabde looked at her husband hoping he got the hint but no he was giving her the blank look and finally said: I'll get food for you after all you must be really hungry if you feel like eating for two
She gave herself a mental slap - her husband the great warrior, ideal son, perfect leader was not able to understand a simple thing. How was she going to tell him?
Pratap got food and fed his wife with his hands after which he went to meet his guru who advised him to focus on his duties towards his motherland thus making him agree to go back to Chittor. Pratap walked back thinking of all his childhood days when his RaniMa was in the palace when the woman he thought loved him did not turn out be a liar and deceit when he saw a man help his wife into the house - they looked happy and the man paid extra attention to his wife who was expecting. She looked at the fruit vendor and told her husband to get some for her - when he heard their joke: Looks like I'll have to buy the entire cart with the way you are eating nowadays and the wife responded: don't forget I'm eating for two now so I'm allowed to eat more as I need the nutrients for the child inside me
Pratap: eating for two - need nutrients - child inside me and a memory hit him hard: Ajabde telling him I need all the nutrients as I'm going to be eating for two - was Ajabde trying to tell him something?
He went straight to his house where he searched for his wife and found her in the kitchen standing on a stool trying to pick up a box from the top of a shelf- she was regularly placing her hand on her abdomen and then stretched to pick the box when her balance slipped.
The fall never came as Pratap held her tight in his arms while Ajabde stared at her husband who seemed to have some sort of clarity. Did he figure it out she thought to herself and when he placed his hand on her abdomen she smiled - he finally understood
Pratap: Ajabde were you trying to tell me something this morning
Ajabde: Yes
Pratap: Say it please. I wish to hear the words from you
Ajabde: We are going to have a baby Kunwar Pratap. I'm expecting our first child
Pratap hugged his wife tight: We are having a baby- you are giving me my successor Ajabde. This is the best news I have heard lately
And then suddenly he looked at her: You allowed me to be with Tulsi Das ji why would you do that when you knew you were pregnant?
Ajabde: I was not going to be an obstacle in your path Kunwar Pratap and besides I was scared that you might blame the child for not being able to join Tulsi Das ji. I know the pain very well when your parent blames you for something they could not have or do (she remembered her father's harsh words and taunts) and I did not want that for our child so I allowed you to go
Pratap: I would never ever blame you or our child Ajabde. This (places his hand on her abdomen) is a blessing for us. You are bringing a new life into this world - this is the symbol of our love for one another there is no way I would ever blame this baby
Ajabde hugged her husband who returned the hug with full fervour
Ajabde opened her eyes to see her husband whispering to her abdomen. It was his way of connecting with the baby he had told her which she found endearing - he always took care of her and had been more attentive since learning the news of her pregnancy. He saw her looking at him and smiled at her
Ajabde: How is Choti Ma doing?
Pratap: Her entire lower back is strained and she is not allowed to move for the next couple of days but she is going to be alright
Ajabde: And Kunwar Jagmal
Pratap: Daajiraj punished him severely. He deserved it and also Daajiraj increased your security (her eyes widen at the surprise) and you are not to go anywhere alone without them
Ajabde: But why? I'm fine see (points at her body) I don't need many security guards around me surely
Pratap looks at her and she makes an adorable pout trying to make her husband do something: I cannot do anything Ajabde it's Daajiraj who gave the order besides I agree with him there are too many enemies around us and I want you and our child safe and secure every minute.
Ajabde nods her head as she knows there is no way she could win and then adds: Patta needs to be on my security is all I ask
Pratap nods his head and teases her: What about me?
Ajabde: I could do without you in the security team- you can be my personal food server she laughed when it happened. She felt a little flutter causing her to pause making Pratap worry but then she took his hand and places it at the spot and then together they both felt the flutter from their child - he was letting them know he was there. Both smiled feeling the presence of their would be child- a child made out of love who would be loved not only by his parents but by everyone around him. A child who would go on to add laurels to his father's name and be his support in the darkest of times; his name would live on forever and whenever people will remember his father they would also remember him
THE END
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