Know Me Better

                                                         Know Me Better

Shopping with Rajkumari Heer was a unique experience as she stepped inside the store and dealt with her personal shopper who had already arranged their traditional as well as western wear for the big day. Ajabde had to say Heer’s choices were quite good, most of her dresses fit her perfectly and flaunted her features, the sarees were beautiful and so was the lehenga. The only thing she got for herself was two pair of jeans and couple of shirts for daily wear. They finally sat in the private booth of the coffee shop as Shakti went to get their
orders without asking them.

“I know the best drinks yahan par and  trust me you are in good hands!”

Heer and Ajabde smiled as they saw the counter girl eyeing Shakti with wide eyes as he gave his order. Ajabde’s eyes landed on the collection of pictures on the wall behind the counter and one of them made her eyes go wide.

“Mr Ruler!!” She pointed at the wall startling an absent minded Heer.

“Jija aap theek hain?” She asked confused.

“That picture on the wall!! that’s…”

“Ohh…” Heer smiled without looking. “Dadabhai and Shakti used to perform yahan par during their karaoke nights and even in London….”

“I never see them sing or play any instrument haveli mein!” Ajabdeh frowned trying to picture a guitar in the Kharus Prince’s hand in vain!

“That’s because Dadabhai doesn’t sing anymore.” Shakti said as he placed their drinks on the table. Ajabde looked at him and saw a hint of sadness in his eyes.

“Will you share the reasons with me?” Ajabdeh asked frowning as Heer and Shakti stared at each other.

“Ji” Shakti nodded with a faint smile taking his seat as Heer nodded an approval.

“Mereko bataaoge apne Dadabhai ke baare mein!” Ajabde took her drink and stared eagerly as Shakti began

“You know him…. He’s…”

“I know Mr Ruler” Ajabdeh interrupted. “… but not your Dadabhai, Shakti and from what I have observed tumhaare Dadabhai is different from Mr Ruler!” She stared unmindful at the picture on the wall then back at the duo. Shakti looked at her trying to decipher her thoughts when he felt Heer’s hand on his own. Her eyes pleading with him to talk about the Dadabhai Pratap he had told her about and he smiled back nodding.

LONDON (2 years ago)

The crowd cheered as the host announced  “And the next performer, well I don’t need to introduce him it seems…Pratap get up here my boy and let’s listen to those amazing Bollywood melodies.”

A young attractive guy smiled as he took his place on stage.

“How are we doing today everyone ?”

“Oooooo! Pratap! Pratap! Pratap!” The crowd cheered as the girls screamed at his flying kiss.

The sound of his guitar instantly silenced them as his melodious voice made its way to people’s heart.

“Hmmmmmmm…..
 Dil ko tumse pyaar huwa, pehlee bar huwa tumse pyaar huwa….” He opened his eyes with a confident smile watching the girls go “Awwww”

 “Main bhi aashik yaar huwa, pehlee bar huwa, tumse pyaar huwa…” He smiled.
 “Chhaayee hai betaabee, meree jaan kaho main kya karu” The crowd cheered once again!

“Oh kho gaya main khayaalo me, abb nind bhi nahi aankhon me…
 Karvate bas badalata hu, abb jaagata hu main raato me”

He smiled at his brother waving at him announcing his presence with a nod

 “Abb duree naa sehanee, har lamha kehta hai
 Naa jaane haal meraa aisa kyu rehta hai
 Main divaana teraa ban gaya jaane jaana
 Main fasaana teraa ban gaya jaane jaana
 Hasina goree goree, churaaya choree choree
 Churaaya dil choree choree choree choree choree…..”


A huge applause was heard after Pratap finished his song as people gathered around him cheering and taking pictures.

“Dadabhai” a very happy Shakti waved his hand attracting his attention.

“Awesome” He hugged his brother.

“Meri flattering baad mein, Pehle introduce karwaao apni friend se….” He had noticed these two stare at each other and blush during the song.

“Dadabhai meet Heer and Heer this is mere Dadabhai meri lifeline….”

“Haan aur ATM card bhi!” Heer shook her head as Pratap smiled.

“Aapse milke bahut accha laga and you sing really well” Heer gave her hand, as Pratap shook it.

“Thank you. And tell me more about you Heer…”

An hour later the two young men were walking over the London bridge overlooking river Thames with the Big Ben lighted up.

“I love her Dadabhai” Shakti declared staring at the river waves.

“I know” Pratap smiled staring at him.

“But kya Heer mujhse….? “ Shakti stared back doubtful.

“Poochlo usse.” Pratap shrugged.

“Kya!!” Shakti looked scared.

“Shakti hume sirf ek life mili hai ya toh iss confusion ke saath raho ki Heer tumhe pasand karti hai ki nahi…”

“Ya…” he was still unsure.

“Bol do bindaas usko ki you love her. Waise bhi zyaada se zyaada kya hoga No bolegi agar nahi karti pasand…”

“Dadabhai aapko… I mean aapki life mein hai kya koi?” Shakti was meaning to ask this for a long long time.

“Hai” Pratap smiled unmindful adding “… and she’s very special. Jaldi milwaunga usse”

“Ohh toh yeh wohi haina jinke liye aap Majhli Maa ke saath ring shopping karne gaye??” Shakti smiled.

“Tumko yeh kaise pata?” He frowned. He had lied for the first time to Majhli Maa that he was helping a friend propose.

“Bhai hain aap mere mera farz banta hai yeh sab jaane ka and I’m so happy for you Dadabhai” Shakti hugged Pratap with a smile.

 A Couple months later ….

Shakti sat in the business class of the airlines staring outside the window looking at London from above the city was slowly going towards night as the clock read 6:30PM. He was worried about his brother’s reaction because once he was told the truth then everything would end. His brother had hinted at introducing Phool Kanwar to Majhli Maa who in turn had informed Rawat ji the head of the council of Chundawats, who were advisors to the Sisodia clan and also acted as the jury for choosing of the next heir for the Sisodias but more than that he was a father figure to both the boys who had learned a great deal from him. Pratap was happy seeing both of them but he had no idea his entire life was about turn upside down.

“And uss raat jab Dadabhai waapis aaye I realised ki sab change ho gaya. I’m the reason mere apne bhai ki life got…” He fumbled as Heer’s hand around his tightened.

“Saved” Ajabde finally spoke up “Shakti you saved your dadabhai from the worst mistake of his life! I wish I had a brother like that to save….” Her words trailed off.

“But the price paid has been too high” his eyes spoke the pain, regret and helplessness he had been feeling ever since that night. As Heer held on to his hands trying to comfort him she knew the pain he felt was beyond comfort.

“You know what” Ajabde sat up straight with a spark in her eyes they knew by now. “it’s time Mr Ruler changes back to Kunwar Pratap!”

“What?” Heer and Shakti said in unison staring at her.

“Dekho break-ups are hard and in his case unko dhokha mila bada waala toh it was bound to be harder but it’s time ki toote dil ke dard ko bhool new life ki aur dekha jaaye.”

“Yeh sab kaise hoga Jija?” Heer asked eager. “Dadabhai ab Pehle ki tarah…”

“Mr. Ruler ko main handle karungi na tum dono aur Majhli Maa bas saath do. I assure you sab theek  ho jaayega…” She smiled confident.

“Aap kyun karengi yeh sab?” Shakti asked surprised. This stranger was truly one of her kind.

“Kyunki Mr Ruler ke rules se pareshaan ho gayi hoon main! Life jhand bana dia rules se!” she responded dramatically making them smile.