Humari Adhuri Kahani (chapter 14 updated) : LAST CHAPTER - Page 29

"Guide... Sir Guide...

"Madam, elephant ride Madam...

"Photograph, Madam?

"Come to our stores, sir...

The gang of the local people was flocking around at the main gate of Amer fort. Two tourist Volvo buses with one full of foreigner travellers and countless cars were standing outside the fort premises. The crowd, the chaos and line of roadside shops full of various specialities of Rajasthan, all together it was looking like a grand fair. They came out of the car after Guddu parked it in a safe corner. Pragya did not lose a second of her observation. Rohan was looking too calm... perhaps he was unable to express his excitement.

"Photo sir? Couple photo with elephant. Honeymoon photo. Very nice. A young lad rushed to them followed by some others. They started shouting among themselves before Rohan gets a scope.

"Let's flee from here. Pragya whispered.

Rohan chuckled. Then ignoring the gang of photographers he looked at Pragya. "Are you sure we will not need any Historical reference? Should we take a government guide?

"I don't think I will need... but if we want to get more info...

"Oye... Bhago yeaha se!! Guddu driver had come out of the car also. While driving away those lads, he chuckled. "Don't worry about History, Sir! This Guddu driver is driving here for 20 years; I know each and every piece of History of this fort!

Both Rohan and Pragya hid their smile, as Guddu himself does not look much elder than 20 years.

"Will you people have breakfast or... Guddu asked.

"No need, we have already completed breakfast on board. Pragya said. "Let's start.

"Beware the staircases. Guddu commented. "After crossing 365 steps you will get to see the first gate of entrance. Madam, you are okay with it na? Or you will have an elephant ride?

Pragya bent her lips. Of course she is enough fit and fine lady, so she takes these offers as her insult. Besides, there is no need to spend money behind silly elephants. They are here for work. But she suddenly observed Rohan's face. He was staring at a couple riding on an elephant... rather he was watching the elephant minutely. He seemed lost... lost in his dreams again...

"Do you remember anything about elephants, Rohan? Pragya whispered from his side. "Can you recall anything?

"Elephants... A lot of elephants I have seen... I was fond of them... Rohan murmured.

"Look at the fort... Can you recall it? Pragya suppressed her excitement and asked.

"No... I don't know this fort... Rohan shook his head. "I haven't ever come... I haven't seen...or did I? I... I just can't recall! I... It seemed he was too much confused.

"Okay... relax! Pragya touched his shoulder. It seemed the touch brought Rohan back to the world again. He wiped out his sweat with handkerchief as he put off the goggles. While trying to smile he uttered- "I don't know... I am feeling very strange.

"I believe it's a positive sign. Cheer up, man! Pragya smiled.

"Yeah! Rohan tried to divert his mind forcefully. "These elephant rides are interesting. People are looking majestic.

"Do you want to try?Pragya asked. She was not overlooking the probability that Rohan might again remember something if he takes a royal ride on a royal elephant. But Rohan refused. "No! He said with a sigh. "Let's go like common man... It's far better!

A strange silence suddenly had shadowed him. They started walking. Rohan had put on the sun glass again. Pragya was not able to read his eyes. But she could understand that he is trying hard to hold himself in the entity of Rohan.

Guddu was walking behind them, supplying all the trivia about the fort.

"The Amer town was previously administered by Meenas. They worshipped Goddess Amba, making their town named Amber' or Amer'. Then the Kachwaha Rajput clan seized it from Meenas. The fort was mainly constructed by Raja Maan Singh... you know Maan Singh- a gem of Akbar's Navratnas... Then it was further expanded by Raja Jay Singh... Then years later the capital was shifted to Jaipur, and this fort is one of the most important heritage spot of Rajasthan...

Pragya was feeling an extraordinary thrill while climbing through the rocky stairs. The fort was getting nearer with their each step. The bright sunlight fallen on the top, the fort of yellow stones was shining like gold. "Marvellous! Pragya uttered out of mesmerisation. She forgot for a while that she was here for observing Rohan and not for visiting the fort... rather she had forgotten that Rohan is walking beside her silently. Her mind was completely on the beautiful view. She was feeling a strange satisfaction. It seemed each and every brick and stone of the fort was pulling her soul like a magnet.

They entered through the grand entrance gate. "This is Suraj Pole. Guddu dictated from behind.

Rohan stepped in. His first step in his past...

Pragya felt a strange thrill in her heart while stepping in the premise of the fort. While standing in the queue of the ticket counter, from where the temple of Shila Devi was clearly visible, she suddenly discovered she always had a dream to visit this place deep inside her heart. How strange, she herself never knew about this dream! Her mind filled with an uncanny happiness all of a sudden... and that happiness cleared all the cloud of sorrow from her heart.

After visiting Shila Devi's temple, they stepped up the stairs which leads to Diwan-E-Aam, the public court... Pragya kept on gazing at the architectures in mesmerized eyes while Rohan looked impatient. He was trying hard to find a connection of the fort with him, and in this process was ending himself wearing up. He was hanging between his two entities, which was making him more restless.

After Diwan-E-Aam they entered through Ganesh Pole... then Chahar Baag... and the famous Shish-Mahal. "So beautiful! See Rohan... so amazing na? Pragya clasped a hand of Rohan out of a strange excitement. But Rohan did not reciprocate. Like a robot he moved forward.

"What happened Rohan? Pragya ran behind him.

"Nothing! Rohan uttered in a calm, hopeless but normal voice. "I don't know the place! No!

"Sir is not enjoying? Guddu asked from behind.

Pragya was going to tell him something, but before that Rohan went inside Maan Singh's palace... so she had to run behind him. This particular place is the oldest part of the fort. In the centre of the premise, there stands a pavilion of eight pillars called Baradari as stated by Guddu. Pragya lost Rohan again, as she spontaneously went towards the place and touched a pillar. Why did she feel that she knows the place? She was definitely having a strange feeling that she has seen this place before. This happens generally when someone gets a vague remembrance of childhood... but, she does not think that they have ever visited Rajashan. Then how? Maybe she is getting confused with some other fort?

"Where is sir going, Madam? Pragya got back to the world when Guddu called her.

Rohan was walking... He was going through the passage of the palace in a static motion without looking at Pragya. Pragya could not see him after a while. So she had to leave the wish of spending some time here and had to go in search of Rohan...

How strange... while walking through the palace, the feelings were becoming more obvious. Not that she could remember anything, or she got to remember the next step before seeing it or something, just like an old, torn, wiped-out memory it was keeping on pinching her... A slow breeze suddenly passed through the room sweeping through her hairs, and Pragya suddenly felt someone whispered something in her ears... as if someone called her...

The feelings were definitely not much welcoming, so Pragya got out of the place in search of Rohan. Rohan was walking in the same pace without looking anywhere in the palace. It looked like he is lost and desperate as well. "Rohaaannn! Pragya shouted. He did not look back. He got vanish in a corner again... Pragya followed him.

"Aah here he comes... Guddu again became an enthusiastic guide looking Rohan. "Look sir... this covered area is the Harem where the women used to live... You will see the Tulsi Mancha and the rooms after passing through the door of...

Rohan stepped inside the woman quarter which is at a side of Baradari without looking anywhere, completely ignoring Guddu. Pragya went behind him. There is a guarded Tulsi Mancha which was probably worshipped by the queens, and also series of rooms for the woman. Her eyes stuck at the small rooms. She entered into a particular room. Though the width of the room was one-fourth of a normal room, she felt a strange connection... The feeling of remembrance was getting clearer...

There were staircases to go upstairs, she stepped up following Rohan...

Rohan had stood near the balcony. He was staring at the ranges of hills through it. He was feeling an extreme restlessness inside him which he never felt before. He could not remember a single thing about this fort, neither had he had a vision... but a strange despair was tearing him apart from inside. He was feeling his heartbeat had become doubled, his limbs were not under his control. As if some unknown internal force was controlling his entity, and he, Rohan Sengupta could not help it...

The strange headache was coming back after a long time. Nowadays Rohan does not feel the pain in the time of vision, but today the pain was back with hundred times more intensity. He was feeling thirsty. But he could not move. With helpless glare, he kept on gazing at the sky...

"Rohan... Pragya was behind him. She touched his shoulder. Rohan gulped and then looked at her.

Pragya observed his glare. His eyes are lost, yet normal. By now Pragya can detect the differences of Rohan's eyes before and after transmigration. Now he lacks the glow which spontaneously comes in his eyes when he switches to his different entity. His eyes said he is not lost into another entity, but he was certainly not looking normal. His lost eyes looked too much desperate, which Pragya has generally noticed in the eyes of the insane people.

Pragya got tensed. But she held herself from losing the cool. "What happened, Rohan?

"I... I can't... can't remember... Rohan was gasping a little.

"Relax... Relax... Pragya patted on his back. "You didn't hear what Guddu was telling? This palace is mainly built by Maan Singh... It's very possible that you haven't seen this portion of Maan Singh?

Rohan nodded. Though he did not look much convinced. He then stepped down without spending a single word. Pragya embarrassedly looked at the other visitors looking at Rohan, then followed him.

"Rohan wait for me... She shouted from back. This time Rohan stopped. He looked hopeless.

"What happened to you, Rohan?

Rohan shook his head after a small pause. His head was tearing apart out of pain. He was not feeling well at all. But he could not say anything to Pragya. Some internal force compelled him to keep mum.

"Sir, Madam... Both of you are here? Why did you come down? There is an interesting thing upstairs... Guddu was coming nearer. Pragya was talking with him... With a slight irritation, Rohan looked away. His eyes fell on the Tulshi Mancha.

And suddenly something happened to him. He felt a lot of hazy old memories flashed in front of his eyes together, blinding him temporarily. It seemed the entity which lives inside him became too eager to come out tearing his body. He was continuously losing his strength of fixing his body on the ground, someone is hammering inside his heart; someone is slashing each and every part inside his head with a sharp dagger, and a very powerful force strangling him from inside... And he also felt that he will not be able to hold himself straight for a long time.

And exactly that happened. Just the moment Pragya kept her hand on Rohan's shoulder to ask if he is alright, Rohan suddenly broke down on the hard floor of the fort, unconscious.

A simple plant of tulsi in an old fort... not the architectures, not the pillars, not the rooms, not the gardens... nothing else, just a simple plant... How it had the power to open a window of past in front of his eyes?

O bhr bhuva sva

tt savitr vreya

bhrgo devsya dhmahi

dhyo y na pracodyt

She had drowned in herself while chanting the hymn in a divine voice. He stared at her mum. There are some rare moments with her when he forgets all the hurts, grief and distresses and cherishes this mesmerisation. The fogy, lonely wintery mornings are one of them...

She turned back after worshiping. She was wearing a yellow ghagra, half of her head was covered with a red chunar with golden embroidery, the disobedient open hairs were peeping out of the veil. There was a thali of the ingredients of Puja in her hand, and a peaceful, divine smile was reflecting from her lips. He suddenly felt he was standing in front of an idol of purity... just like that plant of Tulsi which she was worshipping.

"Your Majesty? She had come nearer. She had question in her eyes.

"Good Morning. He greeted.

"Good Morning. She greeted back while suddenly touching his head after putting her hand over the holy smoke of the diya for a moment. He was not ready for this. "This is the blessing. She said.

He closed his eyes and bent his head in respect of this blessing.

"You had any work with me, Your Majesty? She asked after a while, in her usual calm voice.

"No... I just came to see you! He told under a strange charm.

Perhaps his voice was touched with an emotion which was not at all expected from him. She stared surprised for a moment. He controlled his voice at the next moment. "I mean... I really enjoy the way you perform your religious rituals.

She nodded and smiled. Her smile looked sad. Perhaps she had expected something else... He triggered a question to continue the conversation.

"You know, I always find your religion very interesting. You worship a plant also?

"Beliefs beget everything. She smiled.

"You are an ardent devotee of God. Did your belief give you what you wanted? He asked. Despite his strong resistance, he was again getting into the same discussion which ends up hurting him deeply since so many years.

She remained silent for a while. Her eyes wanted to tell something... her face described the tale of a life-long prisoner for a moment... but she smiled at the next moment. "My belief gave me more than what I wanted.

"Really?

"Of course. She laughed. "Wealth, fame, fortune, empire... such a great, mighty husband... what else a simple girl of a simple land like me wants in her life?

"Yes. And despite being the happiest woman of the world, you relish some made-up sorrow! His smile looked cruel.

She stared at his eyes for a while with a piercing glare. Then she hid her sigh and smiled again. "Since you are free for a while, may I request you something?

"Of course you can...

"Today I am keeping a fast in the name of well-being and prosperity of my husband. If you get time would you please oblige me by coming in the small ritual I am holding in my palace at evening? I won't be able to touch water unless you feed me. She said.

"Fast in the name of my well-being? He could not help but to laugh cruelly. "I will sure be presenting myself to you at evening, Begam Sahiba... But is there any need of this hypocrisy?

"What made you think that hypocrisy, Majesty? Her voice was cold.

"You have never accepted me as your husband from you heart. Have you?

She smiled again. "What are you telling my lord? The whole Hindustan is the witness of our marriage. I stay in your home with the identity of your wife- one of your chief queens... I use your name; I enjoy your position... All because you are my husband and I am your wife!

"But there is something more in a relationship of husband-wife other than this name and position. Do we have that?

She laughed. "What, Your Majesty? The royal marriages consist of position and political deals only. You know it better than me, Majesty; you have used the deal of marriage as a political deal several times; for the emperors the truth of relationships lie behind the positions only, and the queens have to get used to... I am just a queen among your other queens.

He could have said a lot of things... But he remained silent.

She spoke again- "I am your wife from the moment my father handed my responsibility in your hand and got me out of his clan by changing my Gotra. This is the truth of any relationship for a simple woman like me. Till the end of the life I will bear this truth and fulfil all my duties as a wife. There is no place of overflown sentiment, no place of hypocrisy.

Only duty? Nothing else? He could have asked. He didn't. He could do anything but bending his head in front of this woman. His ego, his pride always restricted him. He could have left the place at once. But the pull of her pure beauty was inevitable. He could not help but the steal some more glimpse of her.

"If you have time now you can come to my palace to see the rituals of Puja. She proposed softly, perhaps being a bit guilty regarding the harsh conversation which took place a moment before.

"You are really true in your beliefs. Your devotion says that. He said heartily. "The way you arrange everything here... it seems you have created a miniature of your palace of Amer here in Agra.

"In Amer we used to have a grand arrangement. The responsibility of management always used to come in my hand. My mother used to tell that all the Pujas will remain incomplete if I don't touch the ingredients with my hand... She had started very heartily, but suddenly she stopped and sighed. Then she closed her eyes, perhaps to control her tears.

"You miss Amer, isn't it? He told in a deep affection. "If you want I would make arrangements; you can stay in your paternal home for some days...

"No. Her reply was firm.

"Why?

"Amer is not my home anymore. She said curtly.

"I can feel you are uncomfortable regarding your father's house. But they actually have a cordial relationship with us... in court your father, your brother, your nephew have shown their efficiency...

"That's what I am saying, Majesty... She said in a rigid tone. "I am their queen today, whom they respect, whom they fear... I am no more their daughter whom they can pull in their chest. Rather they would hesitate to drink water from my hand; as now I belong to your Agra! My own land, the soil of my land loathes my new identity. And that is a truth, Your Majesty! Amer is not my home. They have driven me away from my home. Her voice suddenly sounded broken. "Is there any home of mine in this whole universe?

"Agra is your home, Begam! he had said. "It's pity that you never believed it.

"Agra is a shelter perhaps... not a home. She smiled. "Besides, have your Agra ever accepted me in their home? I am still an outsider, Majesty. And I will be an outsider. Till the end of my life... or maybe... after death! Amer has denied me, Agra also did not accept me... my fate is not better than an aimless feather floating in the air!

"Did you ever try to overcome the identity of an outsider in Agra? Did you accept Agra as your home? He asked in a hurt voice.

"I tried to keep Amer alive in my heart. I tried to be closer to my root, to attain my individuality in every step! her voice was wet. "Perhaps that's why I belong to nowhere! Perhaps fault is mine only. Neither I could mould myself like Agra... nor would Amer accept me as their daughter! Only insult and denial will await there for me!

"Rohaannn... Rohan!

He slowly opened his eyes after some slashes of water wetted his face and head. And at his first glance, he saw her face. She looked worried and anxious, but her eyes reflected happiness... true happiness of coming back to home...

"I... I kept my promise... I said you, I will take you Amer one day... and you will smile... I kept my promise... He murmured. But his silent whisper lost in the air.

The crowd surrounding them started chattering. "He is conscious now. Thank God. What had happened to him? Pressure fall? Heat stroke, maybe? This fainting is not a good sign. Such a young man! Poor! etc etc etc...

Pragya patted his cheeks... "Rohan? Are you okay? Can you recognize me, Rohan?

Rohan's eyes were vacant. It seemed he had no connection with this world.

"Feed him glucose water. Some salt will work as well... The crowd started advising in free.

Pragya did not pay much heed. She tried to pull Rohan to make him sit straight. Guddu assisted her. Rohan looked extremely weak while holding his head high. It seemed his soul was not in his body. Pragya started rubbing his hands. "Tell something... Rohan. Are you feeling any pain? Tell something at least... Tell me who am I... A sheer fear was grasping her. God forbid, if something serious happens to Rohan just now how she would forgive herself? If she had not been lost in the sights of the fort and would be a bit concern about him, maybe he would not face this?

Pragya almost cried out of tension and guilt. "I am sorry Rohan! She uttered while trying hard to control her tears.

"P...Pr...Pragya... Rohan uttered.

"Rohan! Pragya cupped his face out of excitement. The listless eyes were getting life very slowly. Rohan touched Pragya's wrist with trembling hands...

"Pragya...

"Yes, Rohan! Tell me!

"Ami...ami bari jabo... [I will go home.] Rohan uttered in a lost, devastated voice.

Pragya got cent per cent relief. When he is talking in his mother tongue and his eyes are getting back the normal sight, perhaps he will be alright.

"Yes, we will go home! Pragya was fanning him with a flyer and tried to convince him like a kid. "Do you want to go back to hotel? We will visit the rest of the fort tomorrow alright?

"Hotel? Rohan asked vacantly while helping himself to sit properly. "Why hotel?

"You're not feeling well na... We can have rest today. You need a big sleep...

"No no... I don't have time! I don't have time! Rohan shook his head restlessly. "I will go today itself. By now!

Pragya stared confusedly.

"I... I will go to Agra... I have to go to Agra! Rohan suddenly got up. "By now... Please! I can't wait anymore! I have to go to my home!

My Home! Now Rohan has started considering Agra as his home?

Pragya again felt the same worry in her heart. And she also had understood that they can't wait anymore. They have to reach to Rohan's past before Rohan's second entity grabs him completely.

"You people left so many good places, Madam! There were so many places worth-watching in Jaipur! City Palace, JantarMantar, Haowa Mahal...You didn't even complete the whole Amer fort! Guddu driver stated sadly while pressing on the accelerator. It was around 3:30 pm. They were heading towards Agra.

"What to do, Guddu. He became sick na. Pragya said.

"Yeah bad luck. Guddu said. Though, he could not find the reason which made these mad couple to rush to Agra all of a sudden without even checking in the hotel after this. He had drawn an inference in mind that the man is a complete mad, and this woman is slowly losing her senses while taking care of him. However, Guddu does not mess with this type of people, he knows well how to do his work.

"What else were there in Amer fort, Guddu? Pragya asked. She was not able to free herself from the obsession of that old fort.

"There's a lot, Madam. Guddu became cheerful with the mention of his favourite topic. "Jay Mandir, Aram Baag... A very intriguing light-and-sound show is held at evening, you people missed that also. You didn't even see Jaigarh and Nahargarh. Do you know about Jaivana cannon? The largest cannon of world? That is situated in Jaigarh.

"Really? Pragya became excited and a bit sad too. But again, she was not here for travelling.

"There is a famous tale of treasures based on Jaigarh. Do you know that? Guddu asked.

"Yeah yeah... I have heard bits and pieces. Our Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had even taken initiatives to find the treasures right?

"Though, nothing was found. Guddu nodded sadly. "It seemed the ancestors of the king had wasted all the treasures behind their expenditure. But there were a lot of treasures! He again stated excitedly. "There is a vast water tank in Jaigarh. Apparently it looks like a normal underground tank. But people say that was the actual treasury. Raja Maan Singh had stored all the treasures collected after Gujrat invasion as per the order of Akbar. You just have no idea how big the tank is! Just imagine, treasures full of such a vast water tank. How wealthy those kings and those Badshahs used to be, na?

"Right! Pragya laughed and looked at Rohan. He was gazing outside of the car's window without paying heed to their conversation. She was worried for Rohan. He has not uttered a single word since they have planned to leave for Agra today only. He didn't even eat anything properly at the time of lunch. He talked only once with her in the car while asking for a painkiller for his headache from Pragya and thus proving to Pragya that he has not lost his power of talking.

Pragya has decided to leave Rohan completely alone for some time. He really needs some time to find himself. She will do nothing but to observe him. She rather rested her head against the backseat and closed her eyes to have a small nap.

Some hours passed in the road... The sun was about to set.

"When we will reach Agra, Guddu? Pragya asked.

"By evening I hope, Madam; without considering the large traffic. Guddu told while holding the stirring skilfully. "It takes almost 4-5 hours to reach Agra from Jaipur.

"Hmm... Pragya rested against the back of the seat. She had another tension in head. They had a booking in the hotel of Agra from tomorrow. Will they get a room today evening? Only hope is this is the off-season. She was feeling tired now. She had got no rest from morning. A lot of things happened in her personal life enough to break her mind completely. Along with that, the visit in Amer gave an unexpected turn in Rohan's case-study... Why Rohan fainted suddenly? What did he see? Pragya cannot ask him before he tells her from his own. But his statements are too much important in this case!

Along with all tensions, surprisingly she was unable to forget the beautiful fort. The pavilion, the pillars, the small rooms, the designs, the tulsi mancha... She never saw any of them before... but why they looked so real? It sometimes happens in life. You sometime feel yourself connected to such places which you never have visited in your life. According to some parapsychologists, this experience might have connection with the previous births. Each and every man cannot remember his past. But in some particular situation, in some special cases it is found that people recalls tit-bits of previous birth for a fraction of second in form of this strange feeling. Though there is no scope to prove this practically, but...

Her thought was suddenly interrupted due to Rohan's shout. She almost jumped up from the seat.

"Hey stop. Stop for a while here! Rohan's voice was at its peak out of enthusiasm. His order was directed to Guddu.

"Here? Guddu asked confusedly. He had no fault. There was nothing at the both sides of the road except lines of small trees and farms which is worth watching. Moreover, it was late of afternoon and the darkness was slowly occupying the dusky sky... For which reason would he stop the car in the middle of the highway and get late to Agra?

"I said stop!! Rohan shouted! Pragya's heart shivered. His tone was again mixed with the same power and authority which does not belong to Rohan Sengupta!

Guddu parked the car at a side of the high road. Rohan got out. Pragya too followed Rohan.

"What happened Rohan? What are you searching for? She could not help from asking. There was nothing at the open paddy field where Rohan was gazing. The sky was getting enveloped with darkness, she could view nothing interesting which can make Rohan so restless. It was all green paddy field...

But did Rohan see the same?

He could see the bright lights of torches, the royal tents, groups of royal people here and there... he could hear the murmurs floating in the air... he could see the majestic atmosphere which had overpowered the silence of the night...

This is the first night of the emperor with his new Begam before getting into the border of Agra... Be careful, everything has to be more than perfect. Someone was ordering others...

He went closer... closer and closer... His people, his guards accompanied him to the special royal tent... He stood before the curtain of the tent... she is waiting inside for him... The woman of his dream is inside...

Rohan stared and stared... His subconscious mind again took him in that night of years and years ago... that auspicious night...

Here is the link of some pictures of Amer fort. You can refer to them while reading for a vivid description:

LINK

This trip will be a revelation not only for Rohan but Pragya as well. More than him , it is Pragya who seems to be having hazy recollections of having been in Amer which is natural since it is Jodha's home. But the tulshi mancha did trigger something in Rohan and again the turmoil in him was too much that he fainted.

I think Jodha's depressed state is the result of feeling unwanted by her family and birthplace while not being accepted by Agra. No matter how much Jalal tries to understand her situation , Jodha herself refuses to meet him halfway, preferring to lament her unfortunate fate.

Rohan is desperate to get to Agra and they have stopped at a very important place , significant in the Emperor's life- the first night he spent with his Begam.

Thank you so much for this lovely surprise, Stuti. Such an eventful update - got to see the effect of Amer on Pragya and Rohan is getting more frequent flashbacks and memories of his past life.

Waiting to know how and when Rohan will completely lose himself and assume the entity of Emperor Jalal.

The pictures of Amer Palace are beautiful.

Thank you once again for this gripping chapter, Stuti.🤗