The Promise

The Promise

Jaimal Punwar smiled watching his brother stare at his reflection in the mirror. His younger brother was finally out of bed rest and slowly getting better post the accident. His refusal for the liver transplant surgery was still a matter everyone wished to discuss but Jaimal knew that his younger brother would never agree to it. He walked downstairs to watch Heer instructing the servants to place the gifts, baskets in the cars. The twins had matured after learning of their father’s sacrifice for them. Patta had given up his title and position in the company. He wanted to prove himself by starting from scratch. Heer finished her apprenticeship early and was planning on going for higher studies.

“Bade Papa everything is ready,” Heer spoke to him with a smile. They were all taking a special road trip. A trip that would be the beginning of correcting the wrongs that had happened all those years back.

“Let’s get this old guy to his destination,” Jaimal teased his brother who shook his head as they all walked out the doors.

The road trip felt like a lifetime to Ramrakh who reminisced about the old days. Laughing with his elder brother as they shared childhood stories, the twins learning about their elder uncle who was an army officer. They only took two breaks- one for refilling the tank and the other was for tea.  Post the tea-break, Jaimal took over driving while Patta and Heer fell asleep in the backseat. Ramrakh Punwar took out a pouch caressing the gift that was kept inside it.

What do you want as a wedding gift? Ramrakh asked completely clueless as they sat on the porch after a tiring day. They were in Mandalgarh for their upcoming nuptials. As per traditions, they could not meet for 10 days after the Roka Dastur ceremony but Ramrakh and Hansa were not ones to follow the rules. They were going to the registrar’s office with their loved ones instead of a full-fledged ceremony. Hansabai smiled as she looked at his tired and confused face. Only he would ask his bride to be her choice of a gift a day before the wedding.

He looked at her with a smile upon learning her choice of gift. “I will make sure you get the gift you desire” he promised her.

It was already dark when they entered the borders of Bijolia. They would soon reach their destination and hopefully, they would be successful in their mission. Ram felt uneasy on seeing the Chauhan haveli as memories of bitter past haunted him. Even his elder brother had gone completely quiet on approaching the palace.

Every step Ram took towards the door the uneasiness increased and a sense of dread set in his psyche. Something was wrong but he could put his finger on it. The guards were absent from their positions which increased his worry. He knocked on the old heavy door praying that she would come to greet him.

Panna Dai walked with heavy steps towards the door. Her age catching up to her as events of the day made her numb. Opening the door, she lost her composure on seeing Ramrakh dressed in the same attire he had worn on the day he had come to Chauhan haveli for the first time.

“Panna Dai ji, I’m here,” Ramrakh told her with a small smile that turned to frown on seeing the old lady shed tears. He held her by the arms as she wailed,

“You came too late, Ram” she sobbed. “You came too late”

Jaimal Punwar stood shocked on seeing the sight that welcomed them in the grand hall. The mortal remains of Hansabai Chauhan were laid on a bed with flowers, incense and diyas around her. Dressed in her bridal attire it seemed like she was in a deep slumber. Ajabde sat by her mother’s side holding her cold hands while Jaiwanta Bai Sisodia instructed the maids to prepare rooms and meal for the guests. Patta and Heer paid their respects before sitting down alongside Pratap, Shakti, Jiwa and others. One side was filled with children who used to come and play with their Rani Hukum. They refused to go home as they wanted to be for Hitler Jija. Jaimal felt his brother brush past him as he walked towards the woman who now lay in an eternal sleep.

Ramrakh sat down by her legs as reality crashed hard on him. All he ever wanted was to live a happy and content life with Hansa and their child but that dream had come crashing down. He looked at her peaceful face recalling the time they had met on top of the bus and then later on several times she had used him as a pillow. He didn’t realise the amount of time that had passed but suddenly he found himself alone with Hansa. He took out the pouch from his pocket and smiled as he looked at her,

“I got you the toe-ring you wanted as a wedding gift,” he showed off the flower-shaped toe-ring that was encrusted with gems. 

She had asked him to buy her a toe-ring because in the Chauhan family toe-ring was the present a groom got for his bride. Tears flowed down as he made her wear the toe-ring while humming the melody she used to sing all day long.

Ajabde recognised the song for her Maasa would hum it to her as a lullaby. She walked slowly towards the hall unable to fall asleep only to find Ramrakh Punwar placing a toe-ring on her mother’s feet.

“Maasa wanted me to give you her message,” she spoke up from behind as Ramrakh Punwar stilled. She looked at his back and then at her mother’s face,

“Her message was, Shama Kijiye but I’m breaking my promise. I'm going away before your arrival. Your Hansa”