Shakti - Part 1

MaDiee

@MaDiee

Khamma Ghani!
Hello people.

Welcome to a journey of two souls finding purpose and strength of their life! I hope you would like it. Do give it a try...

Shakti!!!

"Mujhe lagta hai, Ajabde ka mansik santulan hil gaya hai" Bhagya put one hand on her forehead and other rested on waist.

"Woh to pata nahi. Par Baujiraj avashya hi apna mansik santulan kho chuke hai" Chakri shook his head, frowning at her.

"Woh aise kaise apne prem ko kisi aur se vivah karne ke liye bol sakti hai?" Disgusted, she moved towards her husband.

"Aur yeh Baujiraj! Aise kaise bina soche koi bhi baat maan sakte hai?" Chakri was equally frustrated.

Saubhagyawati Mishra urf Bhagya, a beautiful, sensible young lady, was the best friend of Ajabde Punwar, eldest daughter of the samant of Bijoliya. Ajabde was quite mature for her age, she had inherited her mother's wisdom and was her father's pride. She was the hope of their people, as even her thoughts were enough to bring revolution and her actions could subdue any sword, her heart being the most beautiful one. The only thing she hadn't experienced, was love.

And, He had no time for love. Kunwar Pratap Singh Sisodiya, a handsome young yuvraj, man of his land and people, was the best friend of Chakri. Apart from Matrubhumi, his mother land, he did not think or act for anything else. His praja, his people were safe and happy to have him as the crown prince of Chittor. He worshipped his parents above all except Eklingji, their deity.

When Bhagya got married to Chakri aka Pandit Chakrapani Mishra of Chittor, no one had even a little idea of what the future held.

The best friends of bride and groom, Pratap and Ajabde slowly became friends during the preparations and functions. But they remained clueless, when their friendship blossomed with feelings.

"Hum yeh anarth hote nahi dekh sakte." Bhagya's eyes moistened a bit, as Chakri put his hand on her shoulder.

"Par hum yeh sab kaise rok sakte hai?" He looked in her eyes for a moment, which in turn shone with some unsaid confidence.

"Aapke dimag mein koi yukti aayi hai na?" He swallowed, inquiring in a somewhat lowered voice, remembering his wife's ability to solve problems anytime with her ideas for mischievous antics

"Mujhe pura bharosa hai Panditji, hum kar sakte hai." Bhagya held his hand as he nodded with a small smile.

***

Raja Rao Maldeo Rathore, the king of Marwar, one of the biggest rulers of Rajputana, wanted the mightiest prince of Chittor to get married with his granddaughter, Phool.

Rajkumari Phool Kanwar Rathore, the most beautiful princess of Rajputana had seen Pratap in an event and of course, like everyone, had liked him.

Whenever he heard praise for anything from Phool's mouth, the lordly, overbearing grandfather wanted to make it a gift to her. Her like or wish was his command. He would get her whatever that is, a thing, a place or a person. The arrogant king believed himself to be the strongest in the whole Rajputana; no one had a say against him.

When he got to know that Kunwar Pratap loves someone else, that too a samantputri, he tried every possible way to break them up.

He offered large chunk of money and a larger kingdom to Rao Mamrakh Punwar, Ajabde's father, samant of Bijoliya and a friend of Rana Udai Singh Sisodiya of Chittor. He didn't know, love can't be for sale.

As Raoji politely refused anything in the world, against happiness of his daughter, the Rathore king had became vicious. He threatened Rao Mamrakh for the life his daughter and ordered him to refuse the relation to Ranaji.

*

One day, the royal court of Chittor was taken aback on the surprise visit of Rao Maldeo Rathore of Marwar himself. He authoritatively extended a political alliance offer to Rana Udai Singh to give the hand of Kunwar Pratap Singh in the hand of his granddaughter Phool Kanwar, smartly adding that otherwise it will take no time for Marwar to attack the innocent people of Chittor and establish their own power there. They had a huge army, armaments and resources to win a war against Chittor or anyone.

"Chittor ki Maharani to hamari pautri Phool hi banegi Udaisinghji. Rathore ko na sunne ki aadat nahi" He stood up, smirking with a slight glare and head held high.

"Aur aapke putra aur praja ki chinta agar hum nahi karenge to aur kaun karega?" He had said in a serious voice, letting out a small laugh in the end.

The air of anxiety and uncertainty spread in Ranaji's darbaar. It was an order in guise of an offer. Maharani Jaiwantabaiji, the strength of Ranaji, mother of Pratap and a very strong voice among the decision makers, was furious on the news. Her son's life was for his people and Matrubhumi, not for some arrogant king's wicked orders.

*

Rana Udai Singh and Maharani Jaiwantabaiji knew Ajabde. Being best friends, they knew Raoji's family as well. They were proud and happy about their children's choice. This relation would only add happiness and prosperity to both the families and to the people.

Jaiwantabaiji admired Ajabde the most. Ajabde would be the perfect life partner for her son, perfect daughter-in-law for the Sisodiyan family and a perfect queen for the people of Chittor.

Ignoring Marwar's cold threat, the elders decided to keep the news among themselves only. Neither Ranaji nor Raoji let Pratap or Ajabde have any idea about this offer or threat.

The PrAja love, as ChakraWati urf Chakrapani and Saubhagyawati named Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde out of love, was a kind of a perfect benchmark and dream bond of any lovers. Their understanding and trust was something to be looked upon.

No one knew how their bond tied them in a friendship, and the pace at which their feelings came onboard took no time or efforts to be precise. Some relations are bound by souls and when soulmates meet, only magic happens. Everyone prayed for their togetherness.

***

At the delicate time, going against Marwar wasn't the good option indeed. The Afghans were becoming a major threat to the independence of the land. Moreover the local dacoits were causing troubles more often.

A few days passed after the alliance offer. Ajabde still had to move anywhere with the guards around her, as per his father's strict order and much to her annoyance. On one evening she went to the Shiv mandir for her usual evening pooja. A gang of some dacoits came silently at the site and tried to kidnap Ajabde from the lake near the Mandir.

But Ajabde was smarter and efficiently trained to save herself. The goons ran away empty handed, but Ajabde managed to get the name of their sender. The matter was closed in her heart.

Back in Chittor, Pratap was getting restless. Moreover some unpleasant thoughts were making him uneasy. He wanted to see Ajabde. Wanted to make sure that there is nothing wrong there.

*

The next morning sun rose with the beautiful bhajan of Ajabde. With open hair let loose, fragrance of flowers made her all the more serene. Following her routine, she came in the aangan to the tulsi plant with aarti thaal in hand. She could feel him around.

As her pooja was done, she turned around all smiles to Kunwar Pratap, who was standing there eyes closed, folding hands, a peaceful smile on his face.

Crossing garden, they were in the cowshed. Ajabde fed Lakshmi, her favorite cow, while Pratap was arranging water for her.

"Eklingji ki krupa hai, ke sab kushal mangal hai!"

Pratap initiated with a grateful smile. His eyes were relieved to see his Ajab and everything there alright. Ajabde smiled back, turning with a grass, so as to face Pratap.

"Kunwar Pratap, hume ek vachan chahiye." She simply said.

"Arre kahiye na Ajab. Aapko vachan ki Kya aavashyakta?" He answered casually with a true smile. "Aap jo chahe wahi hoga"

"Nahi Kunwar Pratap. Hume aapse vachan chahiye. Jo bhi ho, aap hamara sath denge!" This unexpected thing surprised him a bit. The unknown calmness in her eyes and such firmness in her words, made him frown.

"Hume aap pe pura vishwaas hai... Aap jo bhi kahe, jo bhi kare; hum hamesha aapke sath hai Ajab!" He smiled putting hands on both her shoulders.

"Ek baar fir soch lijiye" she lengthened her hand, as Pratap cut her midway.

"Yeh hamara vachan hai!"

He nodded a little, putting his hand over hers. his voice filled with confidence, his eyes filled with genuine trust. He said in an instant, giving her clear way to go ahead.

"Aap hume bhul jaaiye Kunwar Pratap. Chale jaaiye yaha se" She said.

Actually instructed, more than a declaration.

"Thik" He looked up "KYA?" and exclaimed, sinking in what just she said.

He was shocked, would be an understatement. He fell a step backwards. His eyes widened, as he left her hand in a reflex.

"Aap jaanti hai aap Kya keh rahi?"

She nodded in a curt reply.

He believed her whole heatedly. But loved her more too. He didn't have a bleak thought in his wildest of dreams that his life could ask him to leave her, his life.

"Aapke bagair hum akel.." his voice trembled a little but she cut in

"Kisi aur se vivah kar lijiye" she looked on "Rajkumari Phool kanwar se vivah kar lijiye"

He was jolted, more he was shattered to the core and almost broken on mere a thought of losing Ajabde. His eyes blacked out for a moment. He stared at her, trying to figure out what she was up to.

"I trust you Ajabde. But trust me it's only you I would spend my life with. No one else can take your place in my heart" He said with a firm face "And in life"

"Your wish is my command!" He exhaled, looking into her blank eyes for the last time

"Kunwar Pratap Singh apna vachan nibhana jaante hai" He blinked away tear that tried to betray him and with a quick nod left from there, without turning for once.

***

Why Ajabde asked for something so big? So heartbreaking?

What did she find?

What will happen next?

To know all the answers and more... stay tuned and read the last part of the story ahead.

Your efforts are highly appreciated.

Thank you.

MaDiee