A Family

A Family

People lined up on both sides of the road to welcome the royal family back home. Jaiwanta Bai was overcome with emotions at the traditional surprise welcome that had been arranged by her father-in-law and sons. The family visited the main temple to seek blessings and were on their way back to the haveli in the horse-drawn chariots that carried the family emblem as well as insignia.

“I’m too popular,” Udai Singh commented as he greeted the people from within the chariot.

“Please papa, they are here to catch a glimpse of their Kunwarsa” Pratap replied with a grin as he waved at the crowd.  Females especially the younger ones seemed to be ogling him while their mothers seemed in awe of the young prince.

“Hush now you two,” Sangram Singh spoke up, “we all know that the people have gathered here to catch a glimpse of their hero that happens to yours truly,” he pointed at himself before turning to greet the people.

Jaiwanta Bai smiled seeing the men act like kids as the chariot entered the residential premises. Sense of contentment and safety embraced her whole self as her soul rejoiced. The haveli was more than an ancestral place for her. It was the place she had grown up, learned her role as a royal custodian, met her now-husband and father-in-law, faced hardships and also, created some of the most cherished memories of her life. The haveli was her home, her peace and sanity.

“Welcome home, Ranisa” her husband whispered to her as the chariot came to a halt in front of the main entrance.

“Welcome home, Ranaji” she replied with a gentle smile.

“She did a brilliant job” Shakti commented, “Especially with the puja and the meal. It reminded me of our childhood.”

Pratap nodded his head in agreement. He had met her twice and both time she was professional, mindful of her language, boundaries and the way she conducted herself made him doubtful of her identity. He remembered sharing it with Shakti but his response was not the one Pratap was looking for,

“Maybe she has a Sajjabai as her mother too who forced her to attend grooming and etiquette lessons throughout childhood”

“A wedding” Jaiwanta looked surprised as Pratap, Shakti and Sangram Singh ji along with the servants of the haveli gave her the invitation.

“Not a wedding but your wedding, Badimaa” Shakti responded with a huge smile.

“Wait a minute,” Udai Singh spoke up, “where is my invite?” he looked at his wife. “Jaiwanta, you did not even introduce me to my saut” his eyes gleamed with mischief as his wife rolled her eyes.

“Your wedding was a snooze fest,” Sangram Singh spoke, “besides that cameraman did not event take good pictures of me. So, as your wedding anniversary is coming up I have decided to get you two remarried.”

“You mean a photoshoot for you to wear all the new line of menswear from your favourite designer,” Udai Singh teased his father who grinned in return.

“We’ll talk later but right now,” Sangram Singh took his son’s hand, “this one is coming with me. Shakti get the car ready. Jaiwanta my child, you get some rest while I make this fellow work.”

Jaiwanta nodded her head as the men walked out to the main driveway. She walked through the corridors that used to be Pratap and Shakti’s playground. Both of them would chase each other, trouble their caretakers and be up to some or the other mischief.

“Ma’am,” a young girl walked up to her with a gentle smile. She was holding a folder with Bandhan’s logo on top and Jaiwanta realised that the young girl was the event organizer.

“Ma’am, Kunwarsa is waiting for you in the lawns,” she told her with a gentle smile, “please come with me.”

Pratap had never seen his mother so happy. He knew she loved the street food- patashi popularly known as gol gappe/paani puri but to see her eyes shine with excitement and happiness reminded him of the old times.

“You arranged for a patashi party,” his mother looked at him with genuine happiness and affection as he nodded his head.

“It’s been too long since we had some time to ourselves,” he joined her at the table. “Besides, Shakti rarely leaves you alone. So, I thought maybe I could surprise you with a mother-son street food date.”

Jaiwanta ran her hand over his curly hair that she could never tame. “I love it, thank you”

“I knew it,” Udai Singh spoke up as he joined the duo, “you were having fun without me. I can understand your mother’s motives but Pratap I thought I raised you better,” he feigned madness as both mother and son rolled their eyes. Others joined them and soon the lawn was filled with laughter and love.

“If I had told you about the surprise then Shakti would have known and we all know Shakti cannot keep secrets,” Pratap stated facts about his younger brother who showed him his tongue.

“You are jealous because I’m Badimaa’s laadesar,” Shakti retorted and sat beside Jaiwanta who shook her head in amusement.

She stood a little far smiling at the scene as the family enjoyed food in the comfort of their home and each other’s company. It reminded of pyjama days, when her Maasa and Nanosa would come home early from work or take a day off and they would all stay in their pyjama at home, eating and enjoying each other’s company.

 Kunwar of Surajgarh was a lucky man for he had everything. From being a royal to having his own business ventures, popularity, good familial relationships but above all, he had something so precious and priceless, something she always wanted as a child

A family.