Good Friends?

Hi guys I know it's been a really long wait so firstly I offer my sincerest apologies on the delay of the update. My trip got extended and I ended up traveling for more days than originally planned. Later both me and Suranya were quite busy with stuff IRL- wifi  baba seems to be driving both of us crazy at the moment

We are trying our best to get as many chapters done before wifi baba decides to kick us back

I wish everyone a very Happy 2017 hope you guys achieve all your goals. Let's get on with our Kharus prince and Musibat's adventures

Good friends?

The Songara family farmhouse stood majestically on a hill side offering the best view from the top. Ajabde stood, in her comfort tee and shorts, hair undone, in awe of the scene of the lush green valley as she breathed in the cool Aravalli air standing underneath one of the many chathris that adorned the haveli. She looked at her mobile phone that was switched off till now. She breathed in and pressed the power button. 

About 100 messages from family and friends started arriving as she ignored them all and tapped the “Speed dial” button to see the words Daata stare back at her. Every time she gathered courage to call her father something came up or she backed out fearing his disappointed voice. The last thing she ever wanted to do was hurt her father but her impulsive decision to runaway instead of facing her problem had only made things worse. She imagined his old wrinkled face with the frown lines on his forehead with his lips set in a small firm line pressed together hidden underneath his moustache but it was his eyes that always made her nervous... the eyes that shone with sadness and disappointment. She heard footsteps approaching so she switched off her phone in a hurry to see Heer coming towards her with a smile.

“The place is so beautiful Jija. Aapko pata hai the farmhouse is a very special place for Dadabhai and Shakti.  I have heard so many tales about this place and to see it in person is a really good feeling.” Heer kept on talking about the place and memories of childhood Shakti had shared with her while Ajabde just nodded her head without paying much attention in her restlessness as her eyes caught the scene below. 

Suddenly, all her restlessness disappeared as her heart found peace and sunk in to the scene that made her smile faintly. Her smile caught Heer’s attention.

“Jija aap sun rahi hai?”  Heer looked at Ajabde’s expression and followed her sight to see Pratap, in a white shirt, riding a stallion in the stable grounds, just below the Chatris where they stood. The horse was a Kathiawari, white in colour, his mane blowing gently in the wind as Pratap smiled commanding him, not with the harness that he held gently but with his voice.

“Faster. Good boy!”His voice was clear and happy? Ajabde’s attention seemed to be stuck on Pratap who looked like a true blue blood Rajput riding his war horse. Something made her wish to keep staring as the horse neighed to increase his speed.

Heer smiled as she looked at Ajabde. She seems to be in awe of Dadabhai!

“Umm....That’s Chetak Dadabhai Pratap ka ghoda, Jija.”  she nudged Ajabdeh unable to control her eagerness. Ajabde realised she had been staring the kharus prince and looked away straightening her face.

“umm... I was looking at the horse...It’s beautiful!”  she tried to make an excuse hoping Heer would accept it. Heer smiled pretending to be totally fine with it. Shakti needs to know this!

“Dadabhai found Chetak in a mela” Heer continued noticing Ajabdeh’s eager eyes travel back to the scene. “... when he was just a pony and took care of him. Shakti says that Chetak only listens to Dadabhai and the care-takers are told to maintain a respectful distance unless they want broken bones. Chetak likes to kick apparently...” She stopped as Ajabdeh smiled.

“Jaisa Kharus Kunwar waisa hi uska ghoda” she mumbled.

 Sound of the gates opening made them look in the opposite direction where a black Mercedes Benz S class entered the driveway. Ajabde took one glance at the car and rushed down the stairs of the rooftops to welcome the guest leaving a stunned Heer behind to follow her.  

Jalaluddin Mohammed Akbar popularly known as Akbar was one of the leading wedding photographers in India. He was an A-lister high profile photographer who was booked for months at end. He had attended a lot of high class parties and gatherings to know the who’s who. He was well aware of the Songara family as his own adopted father Khan Baba was a prominent businessman. He stepped out of the car, in his blue body hugging shirt that complimented his well maintained body, taking off his Ray-Bans taking a good look at the ancestral Haveli that would be the backdrop of his latest photoshoot. He looked at the entrance of the house as he heard her making him smile.

“Jallal... mere jaan!”  Ajabde ran to her childhood friend and hugged him tight. He had come to Udaipur for her wedding but she was not able to spend any time with him because of all the rituals and she had runaway on the sangeet night while everyone was busy getting drunk and dancing. Now, after so many days when he received a call from an unknown number and her unsure voice said “Can you do me a favour?” He cancelled everything to come where she asked him to for some answers as well as to rest his worries about her well being.

“Ohh there she is …meri runaway dulhania” he teased hugging her. His eyes were calm and happy that he had found her safe and sound far away from danger but inside he had a lot of questions brewing especially in regards to her elopement and sudden engagement to the Songara prince which he had learned through his sources. He hadn’t believed it to be the same Ajabdeh until the address she gave was of the Songara Farmhouse making him worry about the rumours being true. Never had Ajabdeh ever mentioned even knowing Pratap Singh let alone elope to be with him.

Pratap’s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene from a distance. He had been riding Chetak and had slowed down when the car entered the driveway. He knew that a photographer was coming over for the pre-wedding shoot but he was not aware that he was an acquaintance of hers. Chetak’s sudden neigh made him realise he had unknowingly tightened his grip on the reins as they hugged.

“Sorry buddy” he patted Chetak and saw everyone walking back inside. He turned around towards the stable. It was time he introduced himself to the photographer after all musibat was his fiance in the eyes of the world. He entered the living room, a little sweaty after his riding session, to find everyone laughing over some story the photographer dude had just told them.

“Dadabhai” Heer got up to make the introductions, “meet Jalal he’s going to do the pre-wedding photo shoot for us... he’s here because of Jija... I mean...”

Pratap nodded his head as he acknowledged Jalal who was sitting quite close to Ajabde. Jalal stood up to shake his hands and as they came face to face , smiling at each other with the firm shake of hands, everyone in the room was oblivious to the tension between the two males. Ajabdeh stared right at his deep brown eyes and back at his sweaty shirt, the extra button undone seemed to suddenly bother her as he caught her glance making her look away. Jalal on the other hand, followed Pratap’s gaze and stared right back at Ajabdeh who all of a sudden found Shakti’s story of “how to make a swing” interesting as she nodded at him.  Heer got busy making a cup of tea for Pratap while Shakti and Ajabde were both devouring down the snacks that accompanied the tea. Jalal sat down opposite Pratap who sipped his tea hotter than usual. 

“Yeh themes kaise rahenge?” He pointed out from his laptop at Ajabdeh who took a seat right beside him mouth full of snacks. Suddenly, her clothes, his stares, her smiles and giggles with Jalal made Pratap feel uncomfortable as he got up to leave. 

“Aree Dadabhai kaha jaa rahe ho?” Shakti called out as he and Heer were choosing clothes for the photoshoot.

“I have some work, waise bhi mera yaha koi zarurat nahi.” He stared back at the other duo, completely lost in conversation and walked away. Ajabde looked up from the laptop screen and cleared her dried lips watching him go.

Raja Hemant Solankhini smiled victoriously as he steered the car towards the highway. He had managed to escape from his house without alerting his wife or anyone else for that matter. He played the old evergreen songs of Rafi as he drove towards the farmhouse. 

“Akele akele kahan jaa rahe ho hume bhi saath lelo jahan jaa rahe ho...” he sang along with the song

It was time for him to keep an eye on the two couples, after all he needed to be sure his daughter was safe. He smiled carefree, driving, unaware that his wife along with her Daima had seen him sneak out of the haveli. She looked at her Daima with a huge smile on her face.

“Humne kaha tha na ki Rajaji apni pyaari beti ki jasoosi karne farmhouse jaa rahe. Chaliye hum bhi chalte hain sab par nazar rakhne.” Rani Meera showed childlike enthusiasm.

Daima stared at Rani Meera who seemed so excited on the prospect of keeping an eye on her husband and daughter. The old woman sighed

“Kab badi hongi aap Ranisa?”

Uday Singh stared at the invitation card he had received a few minutes back. It was for Shakti’s wedding. He caressed the names of his sons and released a sigh of regret. It was true he had hurt their mother badly and in the worst possible manner but he did love his sons. He missed them badly. Pratap and Shakti were his priceless treasures. He had tried many times to reach out to them but the fear of rejection was higher than that of acceptance so every time he knew he would come face to face with them he kept back and did not take any steps to mend the bridges. He was sure both of them would never accept him and why should they... he had betrayed his wife, did not meet his sons for 2 years after the divorce, agreed for the Phool-Jagmal alliance even when he knew Rajkumari was involved with Pratap. The list of his mistakes were too long.

A proud smile made its way on his face thinking of Pratap; his Pratap had proved to the world and to all the people doubting his capabilities especially his step mother. Post the Phool Kanwar fiasco he had seen his son change and those changes as far he was concerned was the best thing that had happened to him. Pratap had taken the Songara business to new heights, established himself as the youngest businessman and entrepreneur of the state, carried himself as per the traditions as well code of conduct of royals. Every time he had lost to his son he had celebrated it by going back to their favourite dhaba and enjoyed their favourite meal khichdi and ghevar alone. All he had was memories of days gone and the card gave him hope that maybe they might make be able to make new ones as long as his devious wife did not interfere.

Dinner was served in the Songara Farmhouse as Jalal arrived to find a seat beside Ajabdeh empty. As soon as he took it and Ajabdeh served him, Pratap stood up surprising everyone.

“Kindly excuse me Mr. Mohammad I have some work that needs my attention. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance. Please don’t hesitate if you require anything for the photoshoot. I will see you all later.”

Jalal smiled, as Ajabdeh frowned confused at Pratap who hadn’t had a bite since the evening. “ please call me Akbar and the pleasure was all mine. All I want to ask is when are you free for the shoot Mr Songara?”

Pratap stared at him incredulously “why would I do the photoshoot?”

Jalal looked straight into his eyes as he spoke each and every word clearly “because you are the elder brother and Ajabde’s fiancé.” Ajabdeh’s hands stopped at the bowl of rice as she looked first at Jalal then at Pratap’s face. Heer and Shakti exchanged a quite amused look.

“But I am busy, I told you.” Pratap’s voice was firmer as he stared back at Ajabdeh who suddenly seemed irked.

If anyone would have asked Pratap what was the one thing he was scared of the most he would probably say not being able to live up to the expectations of the people counting on him but never would he have said that he would be afraid of a girl. Ajabde Punwar was not just any girl and at the moment the way she was looking reminded him of a tigress ready for her hunt and she was the hunter and he along with Jalal were her prey!

“Excuse me” she said is a calm voice “Jalal and I need to have a chat it has been long overdue. We will see you later.” She took her plate and tugged at Jalal forcing him to take his and left for her room.

“Can anyone please tell the guests we have some rules here, one of them is sitting at the table for your meals.” Pratap murmured loud enough for Ajabdeh to stop on her tracks before he left.

“Now what’s wrong?” Shakti looked clueless as Heer shook her head and smiled “Tum khaana khao.”