Wanderers 31- Last Time

Meanwhile Pratap was carried away from the war zone and Chetak died on spot with his fore legs held high showing his contribution and his pride. Pratap had no senses to cry since he was unconscious.

Shakti in search of Pratap found him and took him back to the camp. He knew how his bhabhisa would feel seeing him so decided to cure Pratap and take him. Amar, Chand and Shakti stayed with him to cure him and the rest went back home but not near the settlement.

The Mughals were deceived. They were not the winners nor were the Rajputs so happiness was high. Akbar decided to not meddle with the Rana; he now knew what would cost them. He rested in peace at his palace with his harem ladies.

After few many days Pratap rode on his feet home. All had gathered to welcome him. Ajabde was eagerly waiting. As soon as he reached she rushed there to do the vijay tilak.

“Rana ji, aap ko badayi ho…”

“Apko bhi…”

“Kaise hai aap??””

“Hum thik aur aap??”

“Hum thik hai apke rahte hue”

“Chalie andar…”

All met Pratap and spent time with him. Ajabde and Pratap spent time for a minute. She embraced him thanking god for everthything simultaneously.

The night again witnessed sadness. Ajabde from nowhere fell ill and lay on the bed. She was given medicines and Pratap kept an eye on her.

The morning was not good. Pratap had an instigating feeling about Ajabde so he kept talking to her.

“Ajab, uthiye na…”

“Dekhiye hum apke liye ek uphaar laaye hai…”

“Hum apke liye Chittor jeet aaye hai…”

“Hume apkee saath vakth bitana hai…”

“Amar dekhiye apse milna chahte hai…”

“Uthiye na…”

“Aap yeh kyu nahi samajthi ki hume apki kitni zarrorath hai…”

“Thik hai agar aap nahi uthegi toh hum abhi apne sapne chod uss Mughal ke samne atma samarpan kar denge…”

“Nahi!!!”

“Ajab…”

“Rana ji aap aisa nahi kar sakte hai…”

“Toh aap bhi yeh nahi kar sakte hai…”

“Rana ji mruthyu sabko aathi hai aur hume bhi ek din mruthyu ko prapth karna hi hai…”

“Toh kya??”

“Toh hum aaj mruthyu ko prapth karna chahte hai…”

“Ajabde…dekhiye hum jante hai ki yaha apka koi karya nahi hai parantu hume aap ki zaroorath hai…”

“Rana ji yeh aap soch lijiye ki hum mruthyu ko isliye prapth ho rahe hai kyu ki hum chhate hai ki aap akele rehna seek jaye…”

“Ajab aap aisa na kahe…”

“Rana ji hum jante hai ki apko kaisa anubhav ho raha hoga parantu apko yeh  dhyaan mein rakhna hoga ki hum ghumkad hai aur hum raj parivaar ke ho ya ghumkad ho hume mruthyu prapth karni hi hogi…”

“Ajab…”

“Raa..na…ji…”

“Ajabde!!!”

She breathes her last suddenly. All of them gather around her to cry. Pratap was very sad but he knew that death was inevitable.

He did not live for long. He died after few months in a hunt. He died due to a intestinal disorder. He reached Ajabde.

“Hum jaa rahe hai Amar aur ab hum chahte hai ki aap kisi na kisi tarah Chittor wapas prapth kar le…”

“Dhajiraj hum chittor toh waps paa lenge parantu apko…”

“Amar hum ghumkad hai aur hume mruthyu prapth karni hai aur aap yeh na bhule ki hum raj parivaar ke bhoi hai aur unhe bhi mruthyu ka samna karna hota hai aur isiliye aap hum na rokhe…”

“Dhajiraj hum rokehnge toh nahi parantu hum vachan dete hai ki hum Chittor wapas lenge…”

“Hum ghumkad the aur….ghumkad hi rahenge…”

He breathe his last after remembering that half his life he was a wanderer, a wanderer in search of various things, knowledge, love and his motherland. This news brought tears even in the eyes of the brutal ruler, Akbar.

Thus the wanderer of life ended life one after other in a peaceful manner.

“Together they lived and together they died, their soul still remains and will remain forever.”