I Spy

I Spy

“Aviation industry,” she asked as they sat down for their evening coffee. It was their second casual meeting ever since her arrival in Surajgarh as the event organizer.

“I’m blown away by the services and products provided by the different airlines. I have been reviewing them for a couple of years now. You could say I’m an Instagram travel influencer” he smiled taking a sip of his americano. She nodded her head aware of the several influencers she had seen and knew personally but he was different from most of them.

“I love flying. As a child, I dreamt of going to the Air Force but unfortunately I did not qualify for it” he confessed. “I failed the physical exam.”

She looked at him stunned for he was well-endowed in physical traits. He winked at her making her realize that she had been checking him out.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered, “I cannot believe that you did not qualify the physical exam considering…”

“That I’m a dashing young prince,” he laughed. “I do not feel bad about it as Bade Daajiraj says that one door closes mean there are other doors that I need to open for myself.”

The lady peeked from the corner at the duo conversing over coffee. Sajjabai narrowed her eyes as the event organizer laughed at something and patted him on his shoulder.

“How dare she” Sajjabai muttered, “pat my Pratap?”  

As the duo walked away from the terrace Sajjabai hid against the wall so as to not let them become aware of her presence.

Jaiwanta Bai, Udai Singh and Sangram Singh all looked taken back with the detailed plan Sajjabai had prepared for Pratap’s safety.

“I have seen enough movies and read books that talk about a commoner making the royal prince fall in love and marry them but I” she stood up startling the trio, “I will not have any girl waltz into my Pratap’s life and turn it upside down.”

Udai Singh looked at his wife, “you never mentioned that your sister has experience with the secret service. We could have saved money on security.”

Jaiwanta Bai looked at him and then back at her sister. It had taken them a whole week of silent treatment followed by two conversations that included Jaiwanta making Sajja’s favourite dishes and drinks to appease the latter. She did not want to have another fight with her sister all over again.

“Also, is it the right time to inform her that Pratap has had relationships- casual ones and even flings” her husband looked at her his eyes filled with mischief. The man was having way too much fun.

“You are absolutely right, Sajja” Sangram Singh spoke up calmly, “I will support you but” he looked at her and then the other two,

“Remember, only Pratap has the right to choose his life-partner.”

The trio nodded their head as the senior Sisodia added, “we will not create any tantrums if and when Pratap introduces his girlfriend or boyfriend.”

Sangram Singh chuckled at the expressions of the three grown-ups.

Bijolia:

Hansabai finished her prayers and distributed the sweets amongst the children as well as the people present in the room. She walked out along with an elderly lady talking about everything and anything

“Remember the time you and Ajabde sang those Bollywood bhajans,” the elderly lady told Hansabai with a smile,

The children giggled seeing the special morning prayer as their Rani Hukum sat in front of her temple lighting the diya. Baisa Hukum had returned home from her trip and ever since her return, everything was been done according to the rule book. So, their Rani Hukum had decided to have a special puja to pray the almighty for some relief

Shera waali maata beda paar laga do…paar laga do…paar laga do

Shera waali maat beda paar laga do….paar laga do…paar laga do

Meri Maata karu main jagrata

Jo dar pe tere aaye

Woh khaali na jaata

Meri ladki ke rules tu bend karwa de

Iski kismet mein ek ladka likh de

Jo iske saath mere liye bhi khaana bana de

Ajabde narrowed her eyes as she sat beside her mother for the morning prayers. Her mother offered her the puja thaal for arti which she gladly accepted,

Teri sharan mein aaye ambe ji

Sun lo humaari viniti ji….

Ajabde winked at her mother as all the kids giggled at the turn of events. It was rare for their Baisa Hukum to join in the fun. Hansa shook her head as Ajabde continued,

Bhakt jano khaansaame ko bol dein

Aaj ration khatam hoga

Kyunki hum maarenge aaj kaam se chutti

“Eklingji naath” a voice stood stunned at the doorstep completely shocked. Ajabde looked at her mother with a scared look for they both knew the voice belonged to the one person who despised compromises and negotiations especially when it came to prayers.

“Aaj toh hum sab marenge,” her mother whispered as they both stood up to welcome the lady.

“I scared you both” the elderly lady commented, “none of you were prepared for my BW bhajan”

“Ji Panna Dai,” Hansabai replied, “it seems so long since we all were together. Ajabde is busy with investigating a potential investment opportunity and so she is away for the next whole week, I think and Bhagwati is busy with one of her wedding clients”

Panna Dai nodded her head, “those girls work too hard. Heard our Bhagwati has a suitor. What about Ajabde?”

Hansabai was aware of her daughter’s private life that included an online dating profile and casual flings. She kept her relationships under wrap and none of them lasted for more than a week. But Hansa could not tell the elderly lady about it after all Panna Dai was old school woman who would go on a preaching mode.

“I pray Ajabde brings home a potential son-in-law and not a daughter-in-law,” Hansa said with a straight face scaring the elderly lady whose expression made Hansabai laugh.

Delhi:

As soon as the car entered NH-48, their speed increased as they zoomed down the highway towards their destination.

“It as nice of Shakti to invite us,” Heer told her brother who nodded his head not completely paying attention to her.

“Are you mad about me moving?” she asked as he took over a truck and changed lanes quite speedily.

“Patta,” she called him out scared at his driving, “if you are upset about something than please talk but do not scare me with your crazy driving”

He looked at her, “Heer do you ever think that we are not at all like our parents?”

She looked at him confused as he shook his head and diverted his attention on the road.

“Are you absolutely sure” Patta asked the doctor who nodded her head.

“We did two tests and both test results state that neither you nor your sister have the same blood group as these two people,” she pointed at the two names against whom Patta had got a test done.

“But aren’t blood groups supposed to resemble either one of the parents” he asked confused at the result.

“Yes, genetically either the father or mother’s blood group is passed on to the child and sometimes, in cases of twins, only dominant blood group is passed on and it could come either from the father or mother.”

He fell completely numb as his fingers traced the names on the test.

“I’m sorry but are you related to them by any chance?” she asked worried seeing Patta’s facial expression.

“Well,” he looked at her, “these tests just proved that my parents are not my birth parents.”