Hey guys today's update is here..next one will be tomorrow as friday is weekend here in abu Dhabi and I'm usually out with my folks so enjoy and leave me loads of love
@Rinal and @dsm123 am really glad you guys enjoy my work and that I'm able to live up to your expectations. This one is for you guys (especially chapter 26)
Chapter 24
Shakti was worried because the entourage he had intercepted did not have his brother or the princess instead he met with his brother's friends who were now all preparing themselves against the attack. Subhagyawati had been kind enough to offer him water and food and also the information about his brother's whereabouts so he decided to join them in their journey as he was well aware of the area and he had a desire to meet his brother and his would be Bhabisa
Chakrapani and Patta were planning a defence tactic against the attackers when they looked at Kunwar Shakti the estranged younger brother of Kunwar Pratap-dressed in black with a royal blue waistband he looked like a dacoit or a rebel perhaps but he had the same calm look on his face like his elder brother when thinking about a situation. He had asked to accompany them till their destination and was surprised to learn that they intended on meeting with Hakim Khan the topchi for a possible friendship amongst them.
That would be good for us he had said but was worried that hakim Khan would try to test his brother like he did the others not that his brother would fail but if the test included anything that could harm Ajabde Bhabisa then there would be hell to pay
On the other hand Pratap and Ajabde along with their new companion Hakim Khan had set off towards their friends. Ajabde had peacefully followed every demand put forward by Pratap and she sat peacefully in her palki even though her heart was stammering in her chest. She was worried about their friends and she hoped that they would be alright till they reached them. An attack had been planned for them but who would do such a thing was the question of the moment
Back in Chittor Rana Uday Singh and the other council members were fuming over the discovery of the latest conspiracy over Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde. They had decided to punish DheerBai when a servant came in running with a message from Bijolia
The Afghans were marching ahead towards Bijolia's borders with a huge army that consisted of the Mughals as well. Rao Mamrakhji had already taken the Bijolia army to the borders but they needed help
Rana Uday Singh declared that every soldier would march towards Bijolia to help them out in the war against the Afghans.
Chapter 25
Baadshah Khan was on a high as he marched towards the Bijolia border with his men well not only his men but as well the Mughal troop that was accompanying them. He was close to getting his wish fulfilled- once he took over Bijolia he would make Rajkumari Ajabde his captive that would bring Pratap running to him and then he would make him suffer and exact his revenge from the crown prince of Mewar for killing his father. Everything was going as per the plan most of the officials as well royal families had gathered in Mewar for Kunwar Pratap's engagement with Marwar princess Phool Kanwar and Ajabde had been asked to leave the palace and to stay away from Chittor. Poor Ajabde he thought don't worry once I capture you your Pratap would come running and I will make him beg on his knees for your life. I will take away his pride, honour and make him watch as I will kill right in front of his eyes and he won't be able to do a thing
Baadshah Khan's most trusted man Mansoor was having a bad feeling about everything- he knew his master's obsession with Kunwar Pratap but their informers had not turned up to give them anymore updates after Rajkumari Ajabde's departure from Chittor and neither had they received any messages from them in the last 3 days. He tried speaking to Baadshah Khan about it but that man refused to listen to logic instead he ordered them to march towards Bijolia for a battle. If they lost then they would die at the hands of those Rajputs, if they lost and survived then Akbar would kill them and by chance if they won against Bijolia then Kunwar Pratap would come blazing in and destroy them - in every scenario they faced death. It was not that he was scared but he wanted to fight for a reason that would assure him that he did not die in vain but as of now nothing looked good and he could not run away because then he would definitely be killed by his own men
Hansa Bai sat in front of her temple praying for her husband's victory on the battlefield while her son lay in his crib (paalna) sleeping peacefully. She had seen a lot of battles in her lifetime as a woman- be it a daughter, a wife and now as a mother she knew that there will come a time when her son would go out to the battlefield to fight against the enemies who sometimes will be strangers/invaders and the others will be people from their own community. Hansa Bai was a non-confrontational woman but she loved her children dearly she remembered her first huge fight with her husband that led to a silent treatment on both their sides for 15 days was when after Ajabde's birth he refused to acknowledge her as his daughter- he saw her as his son's murderer and that did not sit well with Hansa Bai who had gone through the pain and suffering of losing her earlier babes before Ajabde came into her life and made her a mother. For her Ajabde fought hard to be with her while her son was not strong enough but Rao Mamrakh did not look at it in that manner and he ruined his relationship with his first born but her daughter persevered through it all she was a simple down to earth being who respected her father and accepted all punishments doled out on her even if they were wrong but Ajabde never complained not even once she did not even demand any apology from anyone rather she quietly kept on performing her duties and now Eklingji was blessing her with a suitable groom like Kunwar Pratap. Hansa knew that the crown prince of Mewar deeply cared for her daughter he had feelings for her but she also knew that they would face a lot of obstacles in their path
Chapter 26
Kunwar Pratap considered himself a reasonable man who could remain clam in the worst of situations but right now his self-control was slipping away like sand from the hands. Hakim Khan had engaged Ajabde in a delightful conversation about living in the hills and she was thoroughly enjoying it - all smiles and sparkling eyes while he stood watching them from a distance while they made arrangements for the night. They had covered quite a distance and would be able to catch up to their friends by late morning tomorrow he predicted so they all decided to camp for the night in the forest itself as the forest would provide them cover and the river was also close by to the camp
Hakim Khan was entertaining Ajabde with anecdotes of his childhood and loved seeing her smile. He wanted to impress her without trying to hard but then she was easily pleased unlike the princesses he had the unfortunate luck to meet personally- all of them had been vain to the point that they did not care about human beings instead treated their servants like animals but not Ajabde. When he asked her about her servants she had responded," they are not servants rather they are there to help us when we are unable to do a certain task by ourselves and besides they all are like my family as they take care of me and my brother when my mother is busy with her duties." He had been so impressed with her response that he started sharing his childhood mischiefs and then incidents of living on the hills with her totally aware that Kunwar Pratap was glaring daggers at him at the same moment
Ajabde sensed his presence even before he even announced it- her head automatically turned in his direction and she gave him her smile the big one that made her eyes sparkle and there was happiness radiating in her that only showed when he was around her. Pratap smiled back and acknowledged Hakim Khan as he sat beside Ajabde and draped a blanket over her shoulders as it was a bit chilly. She sat close to him making Pratap think in his mind Pratap- 1, HK-0 while Hakim Khan started up the conversation again telling her about the unique wild flowers found in his home and he thought HK-1, Pratap-1. Both of them were having a weird competition and were scoring each other in their own minds but then Ajabde felt really tired and she slowly placed her head on Pratap's shoulder and closed her eyes making both of them look at her. Pratap helped her up to the tent and there gave her the glass of medicine
Ajabde: You will stay close by right Kunwar Pratap
Pratap: why are you scared?
Ajabde: No the thing is the medicine makes me fall into a deep sleep so I'm unable to do anything which scares me a little so I was hoping if you will stay close by as it would mean I'm safe and sound
Pratap: I will always be close by Ajabde you don't have to be scared anymore. I promise I will keep you safe after all I still have to propose you know
His words made her blush a deep red and she looked downwards but he gave her the glass of medicine made her drink it and then sat by her as she fell asleep. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and then slowly moved out of her tent giving her the privacy but stayed close by. Hakim Khan had seen the entire encounter and knew in his heart that he did not stand a chance with Ajabde but he would always be there for her waiting for the moment Pratap messes up and makes her leave
Pratap: I know I'll mess up but I won't let her leave me ever. I love her too much
Hakim Khan covers his surprise on hearing his own thoughts out loud: She is easy to love Kunwar Pratap you are a lucky man indeed to have someone like Shehzaadi in your life. Cherish her as she is and will be your strength but I will be there as well on the side ready to protect her when you can't as I do consider her my friend
Pratap nods his head and realises that he may find a friend in Hakim Khan as long as he stayed away from Ajabde.
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