Wanderers Chapter 3- Resemblence

Loneliness lured around in Pratap’s and Ajabde’s life. Loneliness they had never expected. Love was there but the happiness was not there. Their happiness, their life was with their son, Amar Singh who was in Udaipur. For his life and safety he was forced to stay there away from them but they at time felt their decision was not a good one.

Until he had entered their life they were complete, they had everything they aspired for. Happiness was there, love was also shared and time was also there but after Amar came their happiness was in him. A day without him was not possible.

But destined has to happen became their simple policy which allowed them to do their work without any disturbance. The lakeshore tent was set. Soldiers dispersed leaved the couple alone.

Married around 10 years ago they were still young in their love life. Never had their loved decreased even after he married many more times. The whole night was spent arm in arm on the lake shore under the roof of nature with whispers of the breeze. The stars twinkled on the sky provided the light and their reflection made the lake look very pretty.

In these 10 years they had experienced so much that they had memories for all the time they have and will spend.

After the wedding vows and before the entrance ceremony the newly wed, Pratap and Ajabde were called to Jallore for some time. While on the way they had taken shelter under the mother- nature in the forest near the lake. The star’s reflection made beautiful pictures on the lake’s water.

Both were friend since childhood which then bloomed into love. Before having starting their marital life they decided to talk about the planning which they could not do during the planning ceremony.

She lay on his legs while he lay on the ground. Talks went on and on but they did not realise when each other fell asleep. Fingers entwined they slept on each other.

They morning rose and they too rose and headed to Jallore.

With the sunrise and chirping of birds, both woke. After having dressed both decided to head to the forest temple and then move to the areas of Bhils after the prayer.

She got her Taal ready and both walked to the temple. Part of the temple was in ruins but the shrine was maintained by the locals who kept that alone clean and tidy.

Both cleaned the God’s pedestal, washed the idol and arranged the pooja items. Ajabde started the pooja while Pratap waited. Then the melodious songs started. She was busy singing but Pratap was engrossed in her tuneful singing.

After returning from the war he rushed to the Meera ma temple. He knew that he would find solace there and nowhere else. He knew that it was the only place in Mewar he would be never bothered.

To his surprise all had gathered there. All of them were in common clothes. He then realized that they were the people of Mewar. He took his position in the first line. Someone was singing but who was his query. It was not his ranimaa then who. He could make out that it was Ajabde but the question was that what she was doing there.

She was to be Bijolia then how she was here. Suddenly all the people dispersed and the song halted there. A familiar figure approached him.

“Aap?”

“Yeh toh hume puchna hai....aap Mewar mein??”

“Haan Kunwar Pratap, ranimaa ne Gangaur Utsav ke liye bulaya tha”

“Waise Ajabde apke gane sun ke toh Meera ma yaad aa jati hai”

“Ji??”

“Kunwar Pratap…aarti”

“Heh…ji”

“Waise Ajabde aapke gane sun toh Meera ma yaah aa jati hai”

“Dhanyawad Kunwar Pratap.”

“Aapko yaad hai Kunwar Pratap apne yeh hi baat hume Meera ma ke mandir mein kaha tha”

“Bilkul Ajabde…hume sab yaad hai”

“Accha??”

“Haan…Joh puchna hai puchiye”

“Kunwar Pratap apko woh staan yaad hai kya jaha hum tisri baar mile the?”

“Wo..oh yaad hai na”

“Batayiye batayiye”

“Pata hai toh batayiye na Kunwar Pratap”

“Haan abhi batate hai”

“Waise Ajabde…”

“Pehle batayiye na”

“Hume nahi malum”

“Ab toh swikar karte hai na ki aapko sab yaad nahi hai??”

“Accha Apki jeet Humari haar”

“Muskurake kahiye na”

“Humari jeet Apki haar”

“Kya??”

“Apki jeet Humari haar”

“Dhanyawad Kunwar Pratap…Ab chaliye phir se vilamb ho jayega”

“Haan Ajabde”

They walked to the Bhil’s settlement. They were welcomed grandly with all the resources they had.

“Kunwarsa Kunwaranisa aayiye…aayiye”

“Pranam Rana Punja ji”

“Aayiye…prasthan kijiye”

“Ji dhanyawad”

They were shown they resting area while others prepared for the function in the evening. After resting for a while Pratap let Ajabde rest because he was lying on her lap and she sang hymns simultaneously along with playing with his hair.