The Royal Welcome

The Royal Welcome

Kokoia ji smiled seeing the children dance their hearts out as the band played, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge title track. Patta-Jiwa, Heer-Shakti, Jagmal, Chand and Maan were going crazy as they danced their way back to the palace while following them was wedding procession. Happiness radiated off their selves that pulled others into the celebrations; the elders were celebrating too. Of all the grown-ups, Dheerbai was the most ecstatic, as she walked ahead of the procession towards the palace. The baraat came to a halt as the Bijolia palace came into view; the palace was completely shrouded in darkness

“Looks like Ajabde is not happy” Dheerbai taunted, “poor child cannot accept that Rao ji married Hansabai ji.” Jiwa made a face as her husband nodded his head in agreement, and so did his siblings. She kept quiet knowing fully well that Ajabde baisa was not a person who sat and sulked, she was someone who wished happiness for others and made sure they got it.

“Calm down, Dheer” Kokoia ji stepped forward along with Jaiwanta Baiji and a couple of maids who had joined them. The maids held golden thaals carrying heavily embroidered dupattas, brooches and swords. Kokoia ji looked towards Jaiwanta Bai ji who smiled as she called out for Heer and Jiwa.

Pratap rocked the baby as he saw his mother cover Heer and Jiwa’s heads with the red dupattas while Sajjabai ji was making Patta and Shakti wear the brooches.

“What is going on?” Dheerbai asked irritated looking at the scene. Kokoia ji turned towards her as she said,

“Bijolia’s royal family has come home. The welcome will be according to the royal traditions.”

As soon as she spoke, the whole of the palace lit up like it was Diwali. Rao ji’s butler smiled as he stood at the threshold,

“Bijolia’s Rao ji has returned with Ranisa. Welcome them home,” the kalbeliya dancers moved in the rhythm of the beats as the drummers continued banging the nagadas. At the threshold, Kokoia ji took the arti of the couple,

“Welcome home, Ranisa” she looked at Hansabai who smiled while Rao ji maintained his composure. Behind him, Heer fidgeted underneath the heavy dupatta, and at the end, Patta held the family sword firmly in his hands. As the family entered the main gates, the sound of the conch shell filled the air with drums in the background, dancers and musicians on both sides.

Dheerbai gasped as she looked at the top of the minaret for standing there underneath the light was Ajabde Punwar blowing the conch shell, “Ajabde” she spoke her name out loud making others look at the girl. Light falling on her frame, with the Punwar royal flag flying high the girl finished blowing the conch shell, she looked down at the gathered folks with her winning smile as flowers rained on them.  

Later that night after everyone had retired to their rooms, Rao ji looked at the moon from his balcony. Hansabai ji had gone to bed tired from the ceremony, and he knew better than to disturb her during her sleep. He tip-toed beside her and quickly picked her cell that was plugged in for charging. He typed in the password, happy that she had not changed it since the last time and went on to the folder for apps. He stared at the red-orange icon with the white camera and hesitated for a couple of seconds before tapping it open. The very first image had him in awe, it was an old image, taken during one of the Gangaur celebrations in Bijolia. Ajabde’s head rested on her mother’s bosom while her mother’s cheek was pressed to her head,

Tere hote na lagta darr, meri har uljhan ka tu samadhaan

Meri zameen tu, aasman tu

Mere safar ka aagaz tu, anjaam bhi tu

Mera saara jahaan tu- meri Maa hai tu