The Announcement

The Announcement

“Then Ajabde hugged Dheerbai ji” Sajjabai waved her hands dramatically as she shared tea with her gossip partner. JaiwantaBai Sisodia took another sip of her drink while Sajjabai continued to give her a minute-by-minute detailed recap of the events that had transpired at the Punwar residence. She had prior commitments thus was unable to accompany her husband to the Punwars.

“If this was not enough” Sajja bai continued, “Ajabde said that she would finally get a father of her choosing, Jija.”

Jaiwanta Bai Sisodia wife of Udai Singh Sisodia, mother of Pratap Singh Sisodia and gossip partner/elder cousin sister of Sajja Bai Solankhini was an established businesswoman of the Rajput community. She was held in high regards not only because of her social stature but also because of the humanitarian work she did for the people of the region.

“This is going to be very interesting.” Jaiwanta Bai mumbled to herself while her cousin continued to talk about everybody’s reactions.

Back at the Punwar residence, the atmosphere was still tense especially after the lawyer and his team left. They had returned with Dheerbai Bhatiyani who hoped to get the business papers signed only to face Heer Kanwar’s wrath. Heer had completely lost it and lashed out at the legal team. Worried for their lives, the lawyer and his companions had fled leaving behind a frustrated Dheerbai. Heer had glared at the woman when she had tried to speak and walked out with her twin. 

Patta offered his sister a glass of ice-cold water, “to calm you down” he joked.

“She’ll need more than a glass Patta” Rao Ramrakh joined his children, “Perhaps a bucket full of ice-cold water” he laughed. Heer looked down at her feet embarrassed at her sudden outburst earlier.

“Shama kijiye, I lost it seeing the lawyers”.

Rao Ramrakh patted his daughter’s head, “you take after me in the anger and patience department so does Patta. Only your Maasa could deal with all of our mood swings and tantrums.” 

He looked at the gardens where some of the plants were wilting and turning yellow. They needed someone to take care of them and nurture them just as Hansabai ji had nurtured the family.

“Kakasa” a young feminine voice rang out loud in the entryway. Dressed in jeans with a kurta, hair falling out of the braid, the girl ran straight inside the doors of the residence completely ignoring the trio who sat on the side.

“Chand Baisa, stop” her maid panted as she came dragging two heavy suitcases behind her. The trio looked at the maid who stopped and paid her respects,

“She came home last night and refused to wait for anyone” the maid spoke, “I tried everything, but she refused to listen to sense and packed all of her dresses for the..”

“Here you are” Chand Kanwar came out panting, “I searched everywhere for you, Kakasa.” She hugged Rao ji followed by both Patta and Heer, “anyways so when are we leaving?”

“Chand you just arrived, and now you want to leave,” Patta asked only to see Chand node her head excitedly, “I do not wish to miss out on the fun bhaisa, after all, we are going to have a wedding!!!”

“Chand” Rao ji looked at the youngest member of the family,  “which wedding are you talking about?” 

She showed him her cellphone, “Ajabde jija announced it on Instagram. In fact, she shared an Insta story today about the decorations.”

Rao ji stared at the images of the decked out Bijolia palace on the phone, with the captions, #Shaadiwaalaghar, #weddingfunbegins, #royalwedding but it was the image of the man that made him lose his cool, “Champak Lal.”