Tit for Tat

                                                     Tit for Tat

Ajabde strolled down the corridor with a frown on her face, without paying attention to anything or anyone around her, as the arrogant obnoxious Mr Ruler’s words still played on her mind.

Here she was trying to help his brother, their family and also helping him and he had the audacity to tell her to mind her own business. Ajabdeh Punwar was not talked at like that even by her own father, ever. Ajabdeh Punwar never had to listen to anyone raise their voice at her ever. She, Was NEVER WRONG!

Ajabde had decided to check on her social sites in the study , when Pratap stormed into the room glaring  at the girl who was engrossed in her work

“Kuch kaam tha aapko ya aadat hai ghoor ghoor kar dekhne ki?”  She asked calmly without looking up from the Laptop screen.

Pratap took a deep breath. Closing his eyes he decided to calm down a little but in vain. Today, this “Stranger” had crossed all her limits.

“Listen Miss…” He stopped realizing he didn’t even know her maiden name.

“Punwar.” Ajabde replied calmly still on her work.

“ Aap apni Haade yaad rakhen. Aap yahan sirf aur sirf Heer aur Shakti ki help karne ke liye ruki hain. Meri personal life mein interfere karne ki kaushish bhi maat karna! Aaj jo aapne kiya that was way out of line….”

“Excuse me?” Ajabdeh got up to face him as his brown eyes raged with anger. Her frown created a wave of ripples on her forehead as her brows arched like an arrow, her eyes were disappointed.

“Just mind your own business! You… You…” Pratap looked away from those dazzling doe eyes. Why the hell did she look disappointed anyways?  And why was he affected by it like something empty on his chest.

“Enough Kunwar Pratap Singh Songara! Just enough.” she stopped him from finishing his tirade. Looking straight into his eyes she confidently she forced him to look back at her, a little calmer.

“Aapko kya lagta hai poori duniya aapke ass paas ghoomti hai??  Sab wohi karenge jo apko accha lage aur jo apko accha na lage koi kare hi na? And for your kind information, Maine aapki ex-girlfriend ki help nahi ki thi. Maine ek darri hui ladki ki help kari Jisko uske hi fiancé ne hurt kiya. Maine uss ladki ko sahara diya jisko ek business deal mante hai uske family. Aur Phool Kanwar ki jagah koi aur bhi hoga toh bhi main yahi karti aur karungi. I refuse to accept the injustices prevalent in society.”

“Lekin…”

“ Agar koi weak samajhke kisi bhi lady ko torture karega toh I will punch them back-harder than this time!”

“What? You punched Jagmal?” Pratap’s eyes widened. “Are you crazy? Apko pata hai who they are? They will call the police and media and create tantrums. You just don’t know where to stop do you Miss Punwar?”

“Mujhe meri limits yaad mat dilwaaye khud ko Pehle insaan banna seekha lijiye Mr. Singh. Apne personal life se nikalke bahar dekhiye. Problems, heart breaks, kiske life mein nahi aata? Hum Rajputs harte nahi hai, nahi bhagte hai”

She stormed out of the study leaving Pratap totally stunned on seeing Ajabde’s whole new side.

Lost in her thoughts she ran into Sajja Bai who herself was hurrying up the corridor.

“Heer aa rahi hain apni maasa ke saath toh aa unka dinner humaare
saath hi hoga. I’m going to inform the kitchen staff.” Sajja smiled.

“Rehne dijiye main bol dungi. Aapko aur bhi tayaari dekhni hogi na”

Ajabde reassured the lady who smiled in relief and walked away instructing the servants over tasks. Ajabde smiled as a plan hatched in her brain.

“Aaj pata chalega uss Kunwar Kharus Singh ko ki main kya cheez hoon!”

An hour later they all sat down for dinner Pratap and Shakti sat together on one side followed by Heer, her mother and Sajja Bai ji opposite to them. Sajja was grateful for Ajabde’s help as she had overseen the dinner preparations for the guests. The dishes were served to all except Pratap who was being served by Ajabde.

“Majhli maa told me to look after the dinner preps so I prepared Kunwarsa’s favourite subzi today” Her innocent smile made Shakti and Heer stare right at Kunwar Pratap who frowned.

The ladies smiled especially Meera who believed that Pratap and Ajabde were made for each other. Pratap stared at the girl standing beside him smiling as she served him from a special bowl and his eyes widened as he realized the subzi she was talking about.

“Baaki bhi khaayenge na?” Pratap asked suspicious.

“Bilkul nahi Kunwar Pratap” Meera spoke up “ab Ajabde ne aapke liye banai hai toh aap hi khaayen hum log dusri dishes khaayenge jo Ajabde ne banai hain” she smiled at Sajja. “Kyun?”

“Haan bilkul.”

Post dinner Pratap stood silently while Ajabde hugged Heer and Meera as they left to go home. Once inside the living room Sajja couldn’t stop gushing about Ajabde

“Hume nahi pata tha aap itna accha khaana bana leti hain. Daal mein tadka bhi bilkul sahi tha”

“Hmmm and that ghevar was so yummy !” Shakti piped in and then curiosity got the best of him “Dadabhai ko kaunsi special subzi mili?”

“Karela” He said in a monotonous voice. “she gave me karele!!” he
sulked like a baby.

“Aww acche na lage Kunwarsa ko kadwe karele?”  Ajabde’s taunt made Sajja smile.

“Aur green sweet kya tha?” Shakti seemed scared to ask hiding his smile.

“Karele aur neem ki leaves ko acchese mix karke banai maine barfi!”

Ajabde sat down on the sofa like she owned the place “New sweet dish.”

“Tabhi Dadabhai was drinking itna saara paani….” Shakti received a cold stare from Pratap.

“Tit for Tat Mr Ruler!!”  Ajabde said with her eyes twinkling and a victorious smile on her face as he shook his head and walked out, leaving the family laughing.

Phool Kanwar sat in her bedroom going through the album that was a memory of her relationship with Pratap. She caressed his smiling face in the image, his deep dark brown eyes that had captured her attention in their very first meeting, his smile that could brighten up those dark rainy London days, the way he treated her like she was the one his world revolved around but today everything was different. Now his eyes didn’t even pay attention to her, he acknowledged her presence but refused to give her any response. He treated her like an ordinary guest which she was in every way. After the way they had parted ways she hadn’t contacted him and all that was to be said was done by the press. Yes, she deserved that. Now she felt remorse over everything; she wanted to be his everything and besides Pratap had done the impossible task and made Songara’s one of the most reputed as well as major finance houses of the state. Her relationship was merely a deal in a business transaction. She smiled as she thought of a once dreamt of future – one with Kunwar Pratap and her being his Kunwarani. She kept the album aside only to surf the net going over the gossip tabloids she came across the heading that shattered her dream.

The Royals Go Double This Wedding Season!

We informed everyone about the upcoming nuptials of Kunwar Shakti Singh Songara with Rajkumari Heer Solankhini but the brewing news has also reached our ears through reliable sources that they are not the only couple in the family to tie the knot this season. Yes you read it correct ladies! The eldest son of the late Maharani Jaiwanta Bai Songara and the current CEO of the Songara Empire Kunwar Pratap Singh Songara is also said to be in a relationship.  Kunwar Pratap has always being tight lipped about his private life but earlier today his aunt Sajja Bai Songara was seen shopping with both of her would be daughters-in-law and the trio looked happy. Sources also say that Rajkumari Heer Solankhini’s parents are very much in love with Kunwar Pratap’s would be bride and even she calls her Jija, and they bond well.

We first spotted the duo at the Business Gala Award Nights where both the brothers won awards for excellence in business and projects. Kunwar Pratap also took home the coveted Businessman of the Year trophy for the second time in a row beating his estranged father Uday Singh Sisodia, rivals Rao Maldev Rathore and many other prominent businessmen and women.

We think both of them make a great couple. We wish both the couples all the best for their future. Here’s hoping for some amazing pictures.

Phool dropped her cell phone as a sudden rage overcame her. Jealousy made her angry. Truth was she envied Ajabdeh. Not only because Pratap chose her, but because after everything she stood by Phool and helped her. Hating such a girl itself made her feel more restless. There was no way Pratap had forgotten about her, no one could ever forget about her, she was Rajkumari Phool Kanwar Rathore the most beautiful princess of Rajputana. But then she remembered the way he had addressed her and ignored her in the Songara haveli. Anger got replaced by guilt because she knew she was the one responsible for her own predicament. She had let Kunwar Pratap walk away from her and now there was no way they could ever be together. A few drops trickled down her cheeks as she wiped them off quickly. Princesses don’t cry. She remembered her grooming lessons well. Only if lessons taught her to choose her heart over her brains!

Later in the night Ajabde snuggled into her blanket unaware that a figure had entered in her room and was observing. The figure started to slowly place objects around her in a manner that she slept surrounded by them. Suddenly Ajabde turned in the same direction as the figure stood still holding the breath only to sag in relief when she snored. After completing the task the figure tip-toed out of the room and closing the door and mumbled looking at his handwork

“Ab aayega mazaa”

Early next morning a little after Brahmamuhurat, Shakti dressed in his track pants and a shirt made his way to the lawns. He knew both his Majhli Maa and Dadabhai would be present as she had told him to meet them both to discuss some preparations for the ceremonies and later he was joining his brother for a day filled with business meetings. He sat by Sajja Bai ji only to see his Dadabhai smiling to himself.

“Dadabhai aaj kuch khaas hai kya aap bahut khush lag rahe ho?” he asked unable to hide his curiosity.

Kunwar Pratap took a sip of his fresh juice, checked his watch calmly and smiled “One, two,three!” when a loud scream woke up the entire Songara haveli.

“Mr Ruler!!!!!!!!”

He smiled and looked at Sajja Bai ji who starred right at him. The sparkle in his eyes was a long lost one.

“Majhli Maa aaj paranthe khaane ka mann kar raha hai aur….”

A Stomping sound made them look at the person who had just arrived - a totally dishevelled and drenched Ajabde Punwar stormed into the gardens garnering attention of the trio.

“Tum!!!”  she roared as she threw an alarm clock at him

“Arey Miss Punwar ho kya gaya? lag jaayegi mujhe”  he ducked trying hard not to laugh seeing her state while Ajabde looked around for something more to throw at him

“Baisa shaant ho jaaiye aur yeh bataaiye toh sahi kiya kya hai Kunwarsa ne.” Sajja tried to diffuse the situation.

“Kiya kya hai? Kaki sa aapke Kunwarsa ne mere room mein line se alarm clocks lagaaye that too in circle around me aur wall clocks mein bhi alarms lagaa diya jo ek saath baj uthe!” she gave him a cold stare as he sipped his juice calmy and Shakti chuckled. “ and jab I got up startled and tried to stop them toh aur zyaada zor se bajne lage and this was not even the last thing ….”

“Ohho Ajabde!” Shakti interrupted, “Prank toh aapne shuru kia tha na?”

“tumhaare Dadabhai placed a bucket filled with cold water aur jab maine apne room ka door khola toh I got drenched.”

“Kunwarsa!!”

“ Dadabhai!!! “

 Both the people spoke together only to see the elder prince laughing holding his stomach. He stood up still laughing and walked up to her.

“Isko bolte hain Tit for Tat…hisaab barabar musibat”

He smirked as she narrowed her eyes at him. “Kaka koi towel do Madam ko… Mehmaan hai na… atithi devo bhava types…” He winked and walked away leaving her stunned. Did Mr. Ruler just smile and wink at her? Why did her heart leap like that?

He walked away smiling leaving behind a stunned girl and two very surprised and pleased people as after a long time they had seen glimpse of their old Kunwar Pratap.

 “Kaka… towel…” Ajabde took the towel and ran to her room. Shutting the door behind her she sat down on the floor staring at the numerous clocks around the place. A faint smile appeared on her face as she murmured “Utne bhi bure nahi ho….”