I'm back after a long vacation. While I had enough time to relax, I couldn't help when my mind wandered off to Parud land. So I wrote this story for all of us who like to believe in a happily ever after with Parud and Dhruv.
This story might run into another part. Do let me know if you want to read it.
PART I
"Jeeja, both of them left their glasses in the aangan and disappeared," Shatabdi complained as she brought empty glasses to the kitchen. Maithili smiled and commented that she was just glad that Dhruv and Koel finished their milk without a fuss unlike some people. Paro frowned, "Jeeja, milk makes me queasy. You know this." Maithili gave her a shoulder hug and explained that she was just kidding. Both women continued to clear the kitchen. "Shatabdi, who are you making coffee for?" Paro asked. She replied that Dilsher had a headache and this would provide some relief. "Thausa has a headache? Hey Bholenath! I'm sure these kids are pestering him for stories. I'll take the coffee Shatabdi. You help Paro," she instructed before leaving. Shatabdi started to keep the left overs in the refrigerator. Paro continued to wash the dishes.
After sometime Shatabdi asked softly, "Paro, can I ask something? Did Rudra bhaisa really beat up a hundred goons to rescue you in the desert all those years ago?" Paro's eyes widened with surprise but didn't ask her where did she hot this idea from. Dhruv must have bragged to Koel. In his eyes, his father was a dashing hero and privately she agreed. Bapusa and his brother loved telling stories from his eventful life making him larger than life. "No, Shatabdi there were three men who tried to take advantage in a chadda. Dhruv must have embellished," she explained with a sad smile. It was nearly 11 pm, her husband wasn't back. "Maybe he is staying over at the BSD headquarters. Why don't you call him? The work here is almost done," Shatabdi suggested guessing her distress. Paro nodded and went to her room.
The curtains were flying in the wind. It brought a smile to her face. Her fingers caressed the [/I]jali[/I] pattern of the partition. This were she stood when her husband smiled at her for the first time when she said bye. That made her want to dance all over again. She wanted to laugh all over again as she stood at the spot where her then Major saab pulled her down and drenched with blue dye. He is now a Lieutenant Colonel now, she thought proudly.
She loved this haveli and was thankful to Kakisa for pressurising Bapusa to move back. Once Shantanu was killed, there was no reason to stay away from their ancestral home. Chandangarh was home. They moved back within a month of Koel's birth.
She crossed the fountain and blushed, this was her favorite spot for two reasons. One, this is where he first told her that her love was all he needed. She knew at that point that she was his strength. And two where he cheered her up with his awful singing, unintentional though it was. He wasn't much of a singer. And tries to avoid it. Even if Dhruv pesters him for a lullabye. "Go to your mother. She sings like a nightingale," he says.
She opened the door to their room. There were so many changes here. The exercise machine was replaced by a empty cot for Dhruv. She straightened his pillow fondly. He was in his Maasi's room with Koel listening to stories or lullabies. Jeeja loved the affection poured on her by the children. She no longer felt bad that she couldn't conceive. Koel usually ends up sleeping through. But Dhruv always returns to their room when his father was away. He had promised to watch him for her.
On the desk was his school bag, ready for the next day. He also insisted that his uniform to hang right next to his Papa's. She smiled at the picture on the desk. It was a photograph of Maasa holding one year old Dhruv. Shortly after that Thakursa resurfaced and Maasa had turned approver. She provided evidence against her husband. That was the point when her son whole heartedly forgave her. But Thakursa couldn't handle loosing her to her son. He aimed to shoot her husband but ended up killing his own wife. That moment he gave up. He had nothing more to live for. His wife, his wealth and his prestige was all gone. His surrender earned Aman bhaisa a promotion. He was now Major Amandeep Singh. And her Major Saab had become Lieutenant Colonel Rudra Pratap Ranavat. So she had to change his petname to something he treasured more than his badge, Dhruv ke Papa.
She sat down on the bed and picked up the phone. The dial tone was heard as she picked up the photoframe of them dancing from the nightstand. She smiled how he always knew what exactly she would like as a gift. She wondered what he planned for the next day. The person you trying to reach is not reachable at the moment. Please try again later. She kept the receiver down and glanced on the clock. 11:45 pm where was he. She was so tired but didn't want to doze off not yet. Dhruv and Rudra always set an alarm for midnight. So that they were the first to wish her. But she couldn't even get her husband on the phone for some reason.
Paro moved to the diwan. Out of habit her fingers grazed her sewing box. She usually spent stiching while her son did his homework. Koel and her mother prefer the bed while she studies. Kakisa scolds her for whiling away the time as Shatabdi makes sure both kids do well in school. But she likes watching her son study. All other chores can wait. She wonders if he will become a soldier like his Bapusa or a businessman like his Kakosa. Kakisa wanted the former. He is the only male heir of the Ranavat name. He should learn how to handle the responsibilities that come along with the fortune. She smiled thinking how the older woman slowly and steadily warmed up to her and Rudra.
The clock struck 12 o' clock. The door opened and Dhruv stepped in. He gave her a hug and said, "Happy birthday, Maasa." He handed over a role of paper. She smiled as she opened it. It was a crayon drawing of their little family standing around a birthday cake. He had coloured each of them in their favorite colours. He hadn't even forgotten her mamisa who was holding at her just like she used as a child. Janamdin mubarak the words spelt out in little speech bubbles from all of them. Her hand caressed her husband's military green shirt. He had made a family potrait during his childhood too. "Papa will come back soon, Maasa. I know it," her son reassured her. She smiled and guided him towards his bed. But he shook his head, "Today I will tuck you in and sing a lullaby," he insisted. He fluffed his father's pillow knowing how she used it when he was away and helped her settle into bed. As he pulled her blanket over her he sang, "Heli Mare..." She drifted to pleasant slumber as the soft melody hummed in her ears.
Crash! "Father is a big storm and the son is a mini one," she woke up the next morning to loud noise and the sound of Kakisa's weather report. She looked about the room. She observed that Dhruv's bed was a mess, his chair on the floor and his father's uniform hanger was off its nail. Her eyes then went to the clock. 7:00 am. No wonder Kakisa had come to her room looking for her. "I didn't mean to oversleep. I'll quickly make breakfast. Where's Dhruv? He has school," she hurried. "Dhuakumari, don't worry. Your ladla just rushed out in a cloud of smoke. He wanted to cook your breakfast. But I managed to catch him before he burns down the house. Maithili is getting him ready for school now. Shatabdi is preparing the food," she explained. Paro thought for a minute. Cooking wasn't her sister's finer skills. "I should go help," she offered. Kakisa raised an eyebrow and said, "We'll manage her fare for one day. I want you to get ready soon to go to the temple." She knew very well how the young woman would want to start her special day thanking Bholenath for the year gone by.
"Maasa, Rudra is running late. He told us to carry on without him," Samrat told her as soon as she was out of Paro's room. This delay would disappoint their birthday girl. "Tell Maithili not to send the kids for school," she instructed. Her son smiled. She would miss Rudra less if Dhruv and Koel are around to keep her spirits high.
"Paro Bhabhisa!" Sumer shouted from the other side. She opened the door to find a shopping bag thrust to her face. "Shatabdi insists that you wear this," he said. She took it from him and thanked him. She asked where Shatabdi was. The couple usually wished her together for every occasion. "She is struggling in the kitchen," he replied. She felt guilty and offered to go immediately to her aid. "No, I sorted it out now. She was trying to make paneer parathas as it is your favourite. But I told to make her toast instead. That's all she can make. I'd appreciate it if you cover for her when Maasa is served her meal," he requested. She nodded and went inside. "Happy birthday bhabhisa!" he yelled as an after thought. She smiled. Sumer always forgot to wish until he heard someone else do it.
She took the blue and off white lehenga saree. Shatabdi couldn't cook but she certainly knew how to shop. The pink border had her rushing to the almirah. She climbed on it just like she did when she was hiding from rats. She pulled out an ornate box. Her face glowed as she inspected the treasure inside. The red daga which was her first mangalsutr, the silver butterfly earrings her first Karvachauth gift and the one she was looking for her pink bangles. Ab Mafi de! his voice cried out from the past. She looked sternly at his photograph, "Dhruv ke Papa, you are very late. You will have to get something even better for my forgiveness this time."
She placed the matching bangles next to her saree when she heard another knock. "Janamdin ki der sare subhkamnaye Paro," Maithili jeeja hugged her as soon as the door was opened. Samrat patted her head affectionately and wished her. They gave her a small box. When she opened it, she gasped. A sapphire and pearl bangle was nestled in velvet. "Jeeja, this is..." her words were shushed by her sister's palm. She pushed her hand aside, "This is too much." Maithili asked her if she liked it. She nodded. "Then like a good little sister, say thank you and wear it," she gently chided. Samrat told her that it was a gift from her Jeeja and her Jetanisa. "Besides, you have already given me the best gift of all when you shared Dhruv with me," his wife added with tears in her eyes.
A few minutes later Paro was seated with Kakisa and Koel in the car. Mohini admired the sapphire necklace set around Paro's neck which dazzled in the mid morning light. Kaki did you like the necklace? Bade Dadusa took Dhruv and me along when he picked us from school. I only selected this one. Dhruv just said it has to be blue because Rudra kakasa likes blue and you will too. He doesn't know anything else. I had to explain everything to him," she chatted happily. Kakisa laughed and said that boys are never interested in jewellery. Paro pushed Dhruv's hair off his forehead. It bounced back stubbornly just like his father's and just as soft. She wondered what was keeping him occupied. "Dadisa, boys are so boring. They just want to play stupid games all the time," she complained. "Maasa, I like to play cricket and it is not a stupid game," he admitted. "Besides it's more fun than those pretend games with her dolls all the time," he added. "What about playing with that army tanker? He always insists that only the BSD can rescue princesses and make them a queen" she countered as Dhruv struck out his tongue at her. It was true in his mother's case. Mohini revealed that a brave king and his lovely queen will be visiting then tonight. Paro smiled, she guessed it was part of the evening's entertainment. Kakisa was always trying a little hard to make for the way she had acted when they first met. For her as long as her king and little prince were by her side, that's all she needed.
She knew her guess was right when she saw their haveli bedecked with flowers. Some men where on the roof fixing some twinkle lights. They were all in blue. Rukmaniwala blue. Just like the decorations Rudra had planned when he threatened to marry her if she didn't sign those stupid papers. It was funny how she proposed marriage for real when she came to know the truth. Once the car was parked the door was opened by a BSD constable. She smiled but didn't receive one in return. Maithili came running with the phone in her hand, "Sunheri wants to..." She stopped looking at the expression on the soldier's face.
Jodha Akbar
