Eternal Sunshine

Eternal Sunshine

She stood stunned seeing the small decorated gazebo that had been set-up near the lake a little behind the haveli. She had taken only a few steps when he joined her and they both asked the same question, “did you do…” they smiled as they read the answer in each other’s eyes. Both of them enjoyed the dinner but more than that they enjoyed each other’s company. They talked about the upcoming festivities as they walked back to the haveli only to be directed in a different path by one of the servants, at the end of the path they had reached the corner room and inside they found a note

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Shakti Singh Songara you have won a night off. You two get a full night’s of undisturbed sleep. Relax and rest as you two will need the energies for the next two days.

Don’t worry about anything; I’ll get your Dadabhai to do it :P

Sleep well and rest

Love

Ajab

Shakti smiled, “Bhabhisa bhi…” he turned to look at his wife who had already fallen fast asleep. They both badly needed a night off as they were running on vapours between work, home and everything. He gently covered his wife before getting into the bed making sure she was comfortable and then joined her for a full night’s undisturbed sleep

At the haveli Ajabde smiled as she saw her husband soothe the crying baby whose cries had turned to sobs as soon as he had picked her up. “He was her favourite” she thought to herself as she stood by the door seeing him make her smile as he sang to the baby

 hava dheere aana neend bhare, pankh liye,

jhula jhula jaana nanhi kali sone chali

 hava dheere aana neend bhare, pankh liye,

jhula jhula jaana nanhi kali sone chali                                   

He laid her down in the family crib as she slept soundly with the stuffed mini cow that her Dadabhai Amar had won in the fair for her. He then went to check on his son who was sleeping soundly just like his mother who could sleep through an apocalypse without a worry. The next day they would be celebrating “dhundh” for Shakti and Heer’s baby girl Rajkumari Jyotika. Born on the same time, day and date as the late Maharanisa her birth announcement had everyone rejoicing. Sajja Bai had danced in joy as she held her the first time, “jija waapis aayi hain” but to him the most important day was the naming ceremony when both Shakti and Heer had requested him to name her,

Shakti placed the newborn in his brother’s arms, “baby ka name aap rakhoge because aap uske Bade Papa ho and jaise aap mere aur Heer ke liye the waise hi aap baby ke liye bhi honge hamesha by her side”

As per tradition he wrote her name in the thaal and then Ajabde had announced it to the world, “Rajkumari Jyotika Singh Songara”. She was their sunshine

The moment he called her “Jyotika” she held his finger in her tiny ones and he knew they would share a special bond.

As he walked towards his room he found his wife checking him-out as with a mischievous smile on her face. She held on to his arm as they walked back together.

“Musibat you were checking me out” he teased her. Ajabde looked straight as she responded, “of course ab apne handsome patidev ko main check-out nahi karungi toh koi aur karega?”

He stopped hearing her response, “Ssh koi sun lega toh kya sochega ki kaise baat karti hain Kunwaranisa”. She looked at him, “Sochne do jo sochna hai hum toh wohi karenge jo karna hai and besides ab toh Mr Ruler mat bano” she pleaded as she pulled him by his collar making him look around, “musibat!!”

“You know Kharus tumko baby ke saath dekh kuch kuch hota hai!!” she pulled him towards her. His hands went around her waist as he looked at her with his own eyes filled with mishcief, “kya hota hai?”

“Jab bhi I see you with babies I feel like having another one with you” she placed a kiss on his neck before placing one on his lips. Pratap was still thinking of her words, “having another one with you” and realised late that his wife had released herself and now stood at the door of their bedroom. With a wink she walked inside only to have him follow her with a smile as he thought, “I want more babies with you too musibat”

The next evening saw everyone dressed in their royal traditional outfits with the brother wearing cream coloured angrakhas with yellow coloured pagdi. All ladies wore traditional dresses in white with either red or pink borders. Ajabde opted for red while Heer chose pink. Jyotika and Amar stole the limelight as the two were dressed in traditional outfits as well. While Amar wore the same as his father he didn’t keep his pagdi for long while Jyotika dressed in white and red combination stayed happily in arms of her Bade Papa or grandfathers. Jalal and Amar were busy together as he gave him a brand new mini camera while his pregnant wife sat with Ajabde who told her all about the ceremony and made sure she was comfortable. As everyone blessed the young one settled happily in her mother’s lap Sajja Bai ji now older, wiser and happier looked at her two grandchildren and came up with the name for the new charity they were going to inaugurate soon. The charity was going to work for the children by making sure they had access to all the basic necessities including stationery, meals in schools, and proper washrooms for both boys and girls amongst other things. She looked at her two happy grandchildren and said the name to herself

“Eternal Sunshine”

Everyone loved the name she had come up with as she told them post the celebrations. “Eternal Sunshine- Amar Jyotika” Rani Meera nodded her head as she held her granddaughter in her arms while Amar was sitting between his Bade and chote Nanosa. Ajabde quickly noted it down while Heer came up with the design for it and over a dinner the family finalised their new venture.