Ties that Bind -I

Ties That Bind - I

Jaiwanta Bai walked across the marble floor of the hotel as she made her way towards the grand hall. A special surprise was being organised for someone who was dear and near to her.  A memory floated as she through the decorated hallway,

Jaiwanta Bai bent down towards the little girl who peeked from behind her caretaker. “Khamma Gani, what’s your name baisa?”  

The girl hid behind her caretaker scared as it was the first time someone had approached her. Usually, it was her mother, caretaker and some maids that spoke to her. “Gani Khamma,” the girl spoke softly, “I’m Ajabde.”

Jaiwanta Bai laughed at the antics of the grown-up children who were blowing up balloons by themselves as the air machine had stopped working. One of the servers had gone to replace the broken one but the kids had turned it into a mini competition. Khetu sat by them playing with the balloons around her while Jagmal, Shakti, Patta and Chand kept on blowing the balloons. Heer and Jiwa were looking after the food preparations and Maan had taken over the guest welcome. Her eyes went towards the floral wall that had been erected for the occasion and another memory hit her,

The caretaker was surprised to see the lady of Sisodia house sitting on the floor playing with Ajabde baisa. Ajabde was animatedly telling Jaiwanta Bai about her dream. Little Ajabde spread her hands wide and said, “there will be rainbow coloured balloons, flowers hanging everywhere from the rooftops to the ponds, rangoli made with both colours and flowers on the entrance and in the centre will be my name carved- Ajabde. Daata hukum will invite everyone, Maasa will wear her special saree, my siblings will all be dressed up for they will celebrate me.”

Ajabde stared in irritation as Pratap drove the car way too fast for her liking. She couldn’t understand the reason behind him being her driver for the day. She could drive herself and if she needed a chauffeur than her old driver was the best. Pratap was in his element driving through the highway at the highest speed, “slow down,” she told him, “ I still have a lot of stuff left to do and do not wish to die.” 

Pratap laughed as he saw her grip tighten on the seat belt and she closed her eyes as he changed the lanes to take the exit. Ajabde opened her eyes and frowned for the route Pratap had taken was wrong. He had missed the turn to their destination and was headed towards an entirely different area. Before she could say a word Pratap turned into the driveway of a hotel. 

He stopped at the entrance and looked at her, “go on ahead. I’ll park the car and join you.”  She frowned as Pratap drove the car off, “he could have given it to the valet,” she thought as the manager escorted her towards the hall.

Jaiwanta Bai sipped on her drink as her eyes rested at the doors through which a young woman would enter but it would be her little self that would come back to life. All the decorations reminded her of little Ajabde’s dream,

A huge hall will be booked by Daata Hukum that will have flowers in the hallway leading to the big doors that will open to my paradise. My paradise will be filled with balloons, ribbons, drapes, floral arrangements, rangolis and all of my favourite dishes will be there.

Ajabde stared at the retreating figure of the manager and then towards the doors that stood in front of her. She had an uneasy feeling inside as she made her way through the hallway decorated with flowers not just any flowers but the ones she had written in her diary as a child. Heart thumping she opened the doors and the sight that welcomed her nearly stopped her heart. The grand hall was decorated just like she had written in the diary as a kid- rainbow coloured balloons, pastel drapes with red and green ribbons hung on the walls and a big banner that would read, Happy Birthday, her name would be etched on a floral wall that would be placed just under the banner. Everyone would be dressed in their finery for they would all celebrate her.

All eyes were on the young woman who stood on the doorstep shocked and a little scared. The childhood dream that was long forgotten had come alive, the innocent desire of being accepted and acknowledged was finally coming true felt surreal.

“Everyone’s waiting for you,” Pratap whispered from behind as he placed his hand on the small of her back. Their eyes met one pair filled with fear and doubts and the other with assurance.

“Jija” Heer and Patta walked up and held her hands in theirs, “let’s go. We have been waiting for you.” They pulled her towards the centre where the rest of the family stood wearing smiles. Hansabai was the first one to engulf Ajabde in a warm hug and kissed her forehead, “you are the best blessing I have received in my life. Thank you for making me your Maasa.” Kokoia ji was next in line, “you truly are the pride of the family. Happy birthday my dear child.” She hugged her tight as everyone looked at the scene smiling. 

One by one all of the family members wished Ajabde and then came her siblings, Heer, Patta, Chand, Maan and Jagmal all of them hugged her tight as they wished their Jija. Hansabai laughed at their antics for it reminded her of their childhood days when they would make up to Ajabde by engulfing her in a group hug. At the very last stood the man for whose acceptance Ajabde had fought and then given up, his actions had scarred her, but she had proven her mettle in every battle. As Ajabde stood face to face with Rao Ramrakh Punwar everyone held their breaths for they had been working on mending their relationship, Rao ji had yet to accept her publically,

“when your Maasa was pregnant with you I was ecstatic,” he began, “I dreamt of having my heir the one who would be just like me, strong and independent who would take forward the Punwar name and everything our ancestors and I build in all these years. I wished for a boy who would take care of his parents in their old age but fate had other plans in store for me and our family. Losing your brother made me act out irrationally and in my anger, I forgot to see the beautiful bundle of happiness that had lived. I drowned myself in the darkness of sorrow that I forgot to see the shining light of happiness in front of me. I refused to accept God’s will and in doing so I missed out on the blessing that had come to my doorstep,” he looked at the young woman who had accomplished everything on her own without anybody’s help.

“I cannot turn back time and change my actions,” he looked at his wife “I cannot undo the harsh and unreasonable actions that I did because of the loss I faced and it made me lose out on what was right in front of me- my desire. I lost out on precious moments with a little girl who would leave my favourite flower on my study desk every morning without missing a day. I lost out on all of the park visits that she missed because she wanted to go with her father just like all the other little girls but couldn’t because her father was never there for her. I can’t go back in time to hug my little Ajabde and tell her that she was everything her father wished for in his heir - strong, independent, capable and her father’s business mind,” he smiled. 

“There are so many things I wish I could change but I can’t because that time is long gone and is my past but I can make my present and future better so today on your birthday I want to tell you that I’m so proud of you and I feel blessed to be known as Baijilal Ajabde Punwar’s father.”

Kokoia ji held Hansabai’s hands in wrinkled ones as they witnessed the moment their little girl had been waiting for her whole life. Jaiwanta Bai wiped away a tear as she saw the little Ajabde hiding behind her grown-up self peeking at her father waiting to be embraced.

“Today I want to tell the little girl hiding behind the pillar that she doesn’t have to hide anymore. I want to tell her that her father loves her and that he hopes she could forgive for all of his harsh actions and hurtful words. I haven’t got you a birthday gift,” he looked at Ajabde, “because I wanted to give you something that you have both earned and deserve, I Rao Ramrakh Punwar head of the Punwar group of companies and Rao of Bijolia declare Baijilal Ajabde Punwar, my first born child as my heir.”