Back to Basics

Back to Basics

Chauhan Haveli

Everyone in the haveli was on their best behaviour as their Rajkumarisa aka Hitler jija had returned from her trip. From the children to the employees even Hansabai herself could see that the young princess had changed. She was more firm, focused and serious about everything. 

Earlier Ajabde would once in a while join in the fun with the children and her mother but not this time. She had scared a little one who had run straight into her legs while playing inside the haveli.

Hansabai had a hard time convincing the child that her daughter was not devil reincarnate and she would not kidnap the little one and drag him to hell. The mother instinctively knew that her child had put up bigger and stronger defenses around her heart and feelings than before and that must be because of something that happened in Surajgarh.

“I told her that she is not to blame for anything,” Saubhagyawati had told Hansabai. “I was the one who called off the engagement and I have been wanting to move back for quite sometime and I have finally found a really good space for a decent rent but I don’t think she believes it”

It had been three days since Ajabde had scared the child; three days since she had started to come home late allowing the children and her mother to have some fun moments before they went to their homes. Hansabai waved at the children and then asked the kitchens to make special preparations.

Ajabde was surprised to the set-up on the terrace late that evening. She had been told Rani Hukum was waiting for her on the terrace.

“Maasa” she called out walking towards her mother who smiled on seeing her child. Hansabai hugged her tight and then patted the space beside her, “I thought we could both have a drink together” the mother pointed at the drinks arranged on the table. 

Champagne flutes were placed on the table with a bubbly already inside of it while the other drinks were set-up in the back. All of the snacks were placed in small bowls on the round table and a campfire had been set-up as well.

Ajabde took a sip of the drink and smiled, “Sparkling water, Maasa?”

Hansabai didn’t miss that her daughter did not make fun or crack a joke like she used to whenever they would have their mother-daughter dates.

“It’s been a long time since we sat down and talked,” Hansa looked at her daughter. “So, tonight we will sit here on the terrace, have our drinks and talk.”

Surajgarh

Bairam Khan and Sangram Singh sat in their usual spot playing chess and talking about everything that had happened in the past couple of days. Udai and Jaiwanta were away on a business trip for three days while Pratap was in Delhi learning the ropes of the family business.

“I never imagined Pratap to give up on his dream” Khan told the patriarch and his friend. “I understand that starting out on one’s own is difficult but Pratap had all of us supporting him and I know both Udai and Jaiwanta would have no problems….”

“Your turn” Sangram Singh cut him off as he made his move after careful consideration. He looked at his friend with a smile, “try beating me today.”

Khan tilted his head and then in one move spoke up, “check-mate.” Sangram Singh grumbled as the other man laughed, “you are a sour loser but I was talking about Pratap”

“That boy needs to grow-up” the grandfather spoke up, “he needs to learn to listen to his heart and I have called reinforcements to help him to exactly that..”

Bairam Khan did not like the sparkle in his friend’s eyes for that meant Pratap was in for a ride of a lifetime.

Shakti’s Apartment Delhi

Shakti held the pillows as he begged the duo to not trash his place. Ruqqaiya was pissed off and throwing everything she could get her hands on at Pratap who was busy dodging them.

“What the hell were you thinking, Kunwar Pratap Singh Sisodia of Surajgarh” she stressed on his name making both the men take a step backward. “How dare you act like a coward? Giving up on your dreams over an honest mistake”

“What is to you,” he retorted like a sulky kid.

“I’m your best friend,” her words instantly took Pratap down the memory lane

“Ready or not here I come” Pratap spoke loudly as he played hide and seek in the playground near his school. He turned around at count of 50 and ran all over the playground in hopes of catching the children. 15 minutes later, he sat by himself alone in the big playground. Apparently, all the kids had gone home as their parents had come to pick them up. Pratap sat waiting for someone to come pick him up but he knew they would be late.

“Pratap wait at the school and we will come as soon as we can to pick you up” his father had told him in the morning. 

No one would tell him the reason behind them running late or the fact that they were all wearing white. Even his Majhli Maa (Sajja Mausi) had only smiled at him and walked behind his Ranimaa without a word.

“Kunwarsa” his grandfather’s butler called out for him, “let’s go home”

At home, he made a face as a young girl ordered him around as her personal assistant. All the elders had told him to look after the girl while they were in the study for a grown-up talk.

“I’m hungry” she told Pratap, “I want something yummy”

“Then tell your Ranimaa to cook for you” he replied irritated on being made a babysitter.

The girl looked down at her feet and then at him, “I cannot ask Maa as she is dead. So is my Abba Huzoor”

The grown-ups sat discussing the little girl’s future life. She was an only child of her parents and none of their relatives wanted to take on her responsibility considering the fact that her parents had an inter-religion marriage.

“I’m worried about her” Salima begum spoke up, “she has not cried once for them or called out to them. The little child has bottled up all of her pain”

A servant knocked on the door and called out for the grown-ups, “Hukum, Baisa is…” he didn’t finish the sentence as the girl’s wails were heard by the grown-ups.

All of them were stunned to see the little girl wailing her heart out as she held on to Pratap’s little body while he sat by her side allowing her to let her pain out while holding on to a pack on funflips.

“Ruqqaiya” she extended her hand later in the evening as she was leaving with Bairam Khan. 

“From now onward, you are my best friend, Pratap” she told him. “You are my best friend too” he replied and embraced her in a hug.

“You did not stab Chakri in the back,” she told him calmly, “She was not his fiancee. Pratap stop blaming yourself.”

“I know that” he responded “I’m ashamed of the fact that I was ready to fight for her”

Ruqqaiya tilted her head and smiled, “looks like you have fallen for your fake Saubhagyawati”