Chapter 21

6 months ago

MaDiee

@MaDiee

Hello people!

Welcome back to the new part of the series...

Coincidentally Yours!

Part 21 - Let's dance!

"Sab ko sab pata tha... I wouldn't have spoiled the secret" Pratap flared his nose like a small kid. 

"We didn't want to stress you. You needed to put your best to get the best plans and execution" Rawatji said as Pratap continued "I could be of help"

"You had to build a strong team and turn the history by breaking into a new zone which was monopolised all these years" 

"I thought, I was working alone on the mission to get this project" Pratap huffed, clearly feeling left out in this journey. Ranaji and Rawatji shared a glance.

"You were. You were leading a Mission way bigger, all by yourself, as we could not have done anything, without your efforts and all the hard work" She looked straight into his eyes "We were just backing you up." These were the first words, Ajabde spoke to him since morning.

"And don't forget, it was in a way your test and an opportunity as well, to prove your talents and worth as an heir of Sisodiyas." He looked up as Ranaji completed.

"So, how was my performance? Did I clear?" Pratap softened, turning to his father.

"You excelled, my son!" Rawatji exclaimed, holding him in his arms proudly "We are so proud of you" Ranaji hugged Pratap, while Rawatji smiled at Ajabde, "You too, my dear" and hugged her. Ranaji was next to hug her, with a relieved smile. After hugging both of the old men, two of them turned to each other and stopped a step before. All four looked at each other and burst out laughing, forming a group hug. Pratap and Ajabde looked at each other, as happiness brightened on all faces. A big chapter of their lives had completed... or started?

*

A big office party was thrown, to celebrate the success of the youngest member of the Sisodiyas. Everyone congratulated and enjoyed the company of their humble prince, who obliged and impressed everyone with ease.

As Rawatji was welcoming people, Ranima and Ranaji was busy attending their guests and friends. Pratap was looking around, when his eyes fell on Ajabde, and froze. In a black full length gown, with just a small diamond pendant and studs, she looked just gorgeous. Her bracelet shone, every time she adjusted her long black hair, she let lose in weaves. Her kohl smudged eyes twinkled every time she smiled. But his smile that had formed looking at her, was disturbed by the strand which he noticed after like ages!

Pratap automatically took a step towards her but stopped, as before he could reach, the strand was placed behind her ear... by Shakti? He felt a sting in heart. He never knew what jealousy felt like. But looked like that man was going to give him that awareness as well.

His mood changed, as he turned to the bar corner instead and sat on the table beside Chakrapani.

"What a party Baujiraj! Mazza aa gaya..." Chakri gushed as Saubhagyawati laughed.

"Anything wrong, Baujiraj?" Saubhgyawati asked concerned, looking at his unreadable face. Her words from the last night resonated in his ears, as he clenched his fist to calm his racing heart. He just took a drink, when Ajabde and Shakti joined them.

Ajabde introduced him to the trio. The other two shook hand with Shakti with a smile, while Pratap just shook his hand firmly, his eyes showing some complex looks. 

"I've been waiting to meet you officially. Baujiraj" Shakti smiled.

"Here I am" Pratap replied shortly.

"Mamusa can not stop talking about you, can he?" He chuckled, adding "I had to see, what Ajab sees in you too" Pratap caught the word and stiffened

Doesn't only he call her Ajab?

"I hope, Ajab told you only good things about me..." Pratap said casually but the look in his eyes was totally against what it should have been sounded. 

Bhagya looked at Chakri, asking him through eyes 'If he got the vibe, of what she felt in the intense eyes of Pratap? What was he upto?' He nodded, distracting boys over some other talks and easing out the air.

They all jelled up quickly as Shakti had a very good sense of humour. Specially, girls were having a good laugh having him around. Pratap was unusually silent, when the rest of them were talking easily.

"What's up next officer?" Shakti asked.

"Vacation over. So, I'll move back to my parents?" Ajabde smiled, as rest of them exchanged glances.

"Can't you stay a little longer?" Chakri asked, while Bhagya eyed Pratap.

"My job here is done Chaks. It was one of the best fun mission I had, thanks to you guys. Let us just hope, the next time we meet, it's not to prevent any frauds" She laughed as others joined.

"We'll miss you" Bhagya hugged her.

"Stay in touch" Chakri shook hand with her.

"Then shall we consider this as Success party cum Farewell party?" Shakti asked as girls smiled.

Shakti had a talent to turn serious moment into a lively one. He cracked some punch lines and jokes to lighten up the mood. Chakrapani was staring at Saubhagyawati, laughing freely with him; when Pratap glanced at smiling Ajabde, who apparently was not the childish carefree Ajab he saw all this while. She suddenly looked different, felt different.

"Let's dance" Saubhagyawati declared to the lost Chakrapani out of the blue, breaking trance of both the friends.

"You'll never stop bossing him around, will you?" Pratap was the first one to recover and chuckled to save Chakri, from any awkward situation, guessing from his state.

"Never" Bhagya winked at him and laughed, dragging Chakri to the dance floor.

Music turned soft when Pratap and Shakti put their empty glasses on the table together. The ambience turned a little romantic.

"May I have this dance with you?" Ajabde looked at the forwarded hand and at Pratap...

*

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for further series of incidences and coincidences...

MaDiee :)