Wanderers Chapter 13- Escaped

Pratap became busy in supervising the construction of the Udaipur city. He was out of their home for long durations and would return, meet and go back. Ajabde considered that it was now her duty to protect Amar from evils under absence of his father. She used to spend time with Amar and protect him from evil eyes.

These tensions soon turned into a war which led to the separation of the child from his parents. Both Pratap and Ajabde planned and safely sent him to Bundi to Pratap’s uncle. Jaiwanta Bai accompanied him. The Kunwar decided to stay back in his fort and protect and guide his people instead of fleeing. The Kunwarani stayed back with him and served him fulfilling her duties.

The war was over their head, the coward Akbar attacked after sunset and disturbed all the citizens. The seize was an intense one. All had devoted all their mind, strength and life to the war, after all it was the question of their motherland.

The royal safely eloped before the Mughal knew. They hastily went and settled in Udaipur. Pratap was always in the strategy room while Ajabde with ladies encouraging them for Jauhar if required. The men got themselves ready for Saka while the women planned the Jauhar under Ajabde.

The room was decorated like bride and all enjoyed their last days. On the final night of peace the nobles planned and mixed drugs in the future king’s and queen’s drink and safely sent them to the forests.

The seize was a proof of loss. Thousands of women performed Jauhar and set themselves to fire. Lakhs of men did Saka and made their every drop of blood to be useful in the war and shed their life in bloodshed.

These unbearable events made Pratap opt to stay in the forest instead of the palace. Pratap and Ajabde from them lived in the forest. Later they were accompanied by the other wives. Both Pratap’s sons were secretly kept in Bundi until the situation was in place.

“Kyu ruk gaye???”

“Rana ji aap bhi na…”

“Bhagiye…”

“Rana ji hum kaha bhage…”

“Rana ji aap yeh kya…”

Pratap had reached her. She ran and he ran behind her. She reached a lake in the deep jungle. He followed her footsteps and reached her. He was now moving towards her.

She runs and goes near a tree to hide but swift Pratap reaches her easily. He moves towards her and her more closer to the tree. He pins her to the tree.

“Rana ji hume jaane dijiye…aap bhi na…”

“Ajab hume humara puraskar chahiye…”

He whispers in her ears

“Kaisa puraskar…”

“Humare apko pakadne ka…”

“So toh hai…joh puraskar chahiye mangiye…”

“Ajab…pakka dengi na…”

“Rajput ke vachan par koi sandeh??”

“Nahi…”

“Toh mangiye…”

“Thik hai…humara puraskar yeh hoga ki aap humare sath aaj din aur raat bitayengi”

“Kya??”

“Haan…yeh humara puraskar…aur hum din yahi betayenge…”

“Rana ji…yeh sahi nahi hai…”

“Ajab yeh humara puraskar hai..”

“Rana ji hum apko yeh puraskar baad mein de denge…aaj hume aur bhi karya hai..”

“Thik hai…aap jayiye…hum yahi rahenge…”

“Rana ji aap sheegr aa jayiye…hum jaa rahe hai…”

“Thik hai…”

Pratap sat on the shore and spent his time under nature. The birds chirping and the sun’s glare added to the beauty of the lake. The shiny diamonds on the lake’s surface gave it a unique look. He enjoyed the nature while she on the other hand was suffering from finding the way.

The dense forest was scaring her. She was bravely moving only to hear the sounds of rain. The rain drop fell showing Pratap’s luck while Ajabde frowned. The thunder accompanied and Ajabde ran back to the lake only to find Pratap getting dripped in rain with his hands wide open.

Another stroke of thunder, she was hiding under his arms. He warmly took her and comforted her. He knew that she was scared of thunders. She hid her head on his chest and he held her close and tight telling her he is always there for him.

The rain was becoming heavy and both Pratap and Ajabde knew that it was impossible to move out of the forest so they decided to take shelter under the huge banyan tree.

Pratap carried Ajabde keeping her close to him in bridal style and got her down. Both stood there for a while. Pratap took the opportunity and moved close to her. She moved away from him, near the tree. He held her in between his hands and continued his harassment. He slowly caressed her and then gave her a peck which made her extremely uncomfortable.

“Koi dekh lega…”

“Yaha koi na hai aur koi na aayega…aur ayega toh bhi hume koi apathy na hai…aap humari patni hi hai…”

He slowly moves to her neck and gives a few pecks. She hugs him tight. They both spend rest of the rain under the open sky sitting beside each other with fingers entwined and she with head on his shoulder.

In the settlement,

“Maa sa apne jija ko dekha kya???”

“Nahi toh…accha Solankani beta Pratap ko yaha bejo…”

“Ji maa sa”

She goes and find Pratap.

“Maa sa…Rana ji bhi kahi nahi dekhayi de rahe hai…”

“Accha thik hai..”

“Aagya dijiye…”

After she goes

“Kanha ji apka dhanyawad…”

“Accha hua abhi toh dono ko kuch samay mil raha hai…”