Chapter 5| A Sour Truth

"Take care." Pleaded an anxious Hansabai hugging her daughter and Saubhgyavati. "Don't skip your meals, don't mess around if there are problems, don't..."

"Maasa," smiled Ajabde gently holding her mother's hands. "Don't worry about us. Take care of yourself and daata." 

Touching her father's feet and taking his blessings, both Saubhgyavati and Ajabde got into their palanquins while Aachraya Raghavendra mounted his horse. 

At the first rays of dawn the little party set off on their journey to Kashi. Though the two girls were eager to learn, somewhere both of them were apprehensive if they'd be able to live all alone in a strange place. 

"Guruji," mumbled Ajabde from her palanquin. 

"Should we halt for a while?" he asked glancing at her. 

She shook her head in denial and asked, "Guruji...is it alright to be afraid?"

Aacharya Raghavendra smiled at the girl saying, "Have you noticed the deers in the forest?"

She nodded without a word and he continued, "When they see an animal larger, stronger and more ferocious than them; they run. Why is that so?"

"Because they'll be eaten if they don't flee." Replied Ajabde with a shrug. 

"Exactly," nodded the guru, "it's fear that makes them run. Being afraid isn't wrong, fear...is a reaction that's in all of us. No one," he implied firmly raising his pointer finger, "is foolishly brave. Each one of us takes calculated risks in our lives."

"Then...what about those who do saka when there's no option?" she asked silently. 

Aacharya Raghavendra couldn't help but marvel how much her curiosity and eagerness to learn reflected Kunwar Pratap's nature. 

"That's a do or die reaction." He replied looking at the path ahead. "Many times we encounter such situations, where you either fight or flee from the scene. That's when you have the freedom of choice and your liberty to choose to fight than to run and is based on your upbringing and education."

Ajabde nodded and reclined back in her palanquin pondering on the very concept of fear. While Saubhgyavati was busy studying the Sushruta Samitha in her palanquin. 

"I'm afraid for both the girls," cried Hansabai. "What if something happens to them?"

"Maasa," began Kunwar Dungar gently brushing his mother's tears away, "Guruji is there with them and Ajab and Bhago both are trained in swordfighting. Maasa until you let her go, she'll never learn to be independent."

"But she has to get..."

"Maasa, I want my sister to be so capable that she can live even without a man in her life." Replied Kunwar Dungar. 

Hansabai shook her head groaning, "God alone knows what's gotten into both father and son!" 

***

"But Dheerbai ji, he's still a boy." Insisted Rana Udai Singh in a chuckle.

"I know Ranaji," smiled Rani Dheerbai, "but, you know well that he's the future king and...even you grew with hardships but, I'm only asking you to make Kunwar Pratap the senapati."

"Are you sure Dheerbai ji?" asked the king gently cupping his wife's face. 

Rani Dheerbai broke into a beautiful smile and said, "You know how much I love Kunwar Pratap. I love him more than Jagmal and I want Kunwar Pratap to...be great..."

"What selfless love you have Dheerbai ji!" Exclaimed the king. "No wonder you have such a special place in my heart."

Rani Dheerbai blushed red and giggled saying, "Go on...your getting late for the durbar."

Placing a kiss on her forehead, Rana Udai Singh left his favourite queen's chamber. 

A smirk lit up Rani Dheerbai's face, "Now...it's best if you just die in the battlefield Pratap. Just by winning one battle...you won't be remembered." 

In the court Rana Udai Singh announced, "I've planned to make Kunwar Pratap the senapati of the army."

"But Ranaji, Baujiraj is too small for this!" exclaimed Rawat Chundawat immediately, standing up from his seat.

"Rawatji, I do agree that he's still small but he has assured us by winning this war that he can do more." Said the king in a firm voice. 

It sounded like he had already made up his mind. Though the chieftains were highly apprehensive, they had to let the prince be forged by fire. 

"I agree with Ranaji on this matter." Said Maharani Jaivantabai in a firm voice, from behind the semi-transparent drapes. 

Rani Dheerbai glanced at Maharani Jaivantabai's bold face and wondered if she made the right move. 

"I accept the position of the commander in chief of the army." Said Kunwar Pratap in a loud firm voice. 

"KUNWAR PRATAP KI JAI! KUNWAR PRATAP KI JAI!" Hailed the chieftains. 

Kunwar Shakti grinned and hugged his older brother taunting, "Senapati ji, can I join your army?" 

"Bhai Shakti, you don't have another option other than joining the army." Replied Kunwar Pratap with a broad grin. "What use is education when you don't implement it."

"Right." Nodded Kunwar Shakti in agreement. 

The next day, Kunwar Pratap was summoned and made the commander in chief in front of the whole army of Mewar. 

"I Kunwar Pratap Singh, swear by Lord Ekling Naathji that my first duty will be towards my motherland. I shall honour and serve her until my dying breath. I, as the chief of the army shall never desert my army in times of peril. I shall perish with my fellow men, if need be." He said without a flicker of quaver in his voice. "JAI MEWAR! JAI EKLINJI!" 

"JAI MEWAR! JAI EKLINJI!" Hailed the army in unison. 

"SENAPATI KUNWAR PRATAP KI JAI! SENAPATI KUNWAR PRATAP KI JAI!" Shouted the army in tremendous joy and pride. 

Rana Udai Singh placed the helmet on his sons head, which was a mark of the commander in chief of the army.

Once the helmet was placed on his head, Rana Udai Singh handed the young commander in chief his sword. Pulling it out of his scabbard, Kunwar Pratap faced the army hailing, "JAI EKLINJI! JAI MEWAR!"

"JAI EKLINJI! JAI MEWAR!" Thundered the army. 

"Welcome to Mewar's army." Smiled Rawat Chundawat with pride in his eyes. 

Kunwar Pratap touched his father's feet followed by Rawat Chundawat's feet; who blessed him. Maharani Jaivantabai beheld her jem with pride in her eyes thinking, this is just the commencement of a whole new era for Mewar. There's a long road filled with hurdles Pratap.

Rani Dheerbai gulped the lump in her throat and paced her racing heart. Leaning towards Maharani Jaivantabai she asked, "Jija, aren't you afraid that he'll die?"

"Death is an inevitable truth." Replied Maharani Jaivantabai without glancing at the woman. "How you live your life matters more than when and how you'll die." Turning towards the woman she continued, "I'll be proud that my son died for his motherland." Saying this she left.  

For the next six to seven months, Senapati Pratap, began his mission to fortify and strengthen the borders of Mewar. Idar, Dungarpur, Banswara became a part of Mewar. 

What once was broken after the reign of Rana Sanga was bought together by Kunwar Pratap's unmatched valour and skills. 

Not only was the young commander a proficient warrior but also a teen with a large heart who managed to win the confidence of not only the chieftains of Mewar but also the simplest of soldiers in the army. 

"I sincerely want good food now." Growled Kunwar Shakti sitting down under the shade of a tree under the scorching sun. "I'm missing ranimaa's aachar and badi maasa's laal maans."

Kunwar Pratap's stomach growled and he immediately smacked his brother on his head saying, "Don't remind me of food. The checkpoints haven't been completed it. Till then no food." 

"Even I can stay hungry." Declared Kunwar Shakti scampering to his feet. Dusting his palms he went to inspect one of the checkpoints and said, "It has to be a little more taller."

"But kunwarsa isn't this tall enough?" asked a soldier creasing his brows.

"I can't see the hills." Replied Kunwar Shakti and looked down at his brother and shouted aloud, "This has to be taller isn't it?"

"Bhai Shakti," responded Kunwar Pratap cupping his palms over his mouth. "You're up there, you'd know better."

Kunwar Shakti shook his head at his brother and looked back at the soldier saying, "Increase it's hight to about two meters." Saying this he got off the the tall checkpoint and joined his brother in inspecting the fortress walls. 

"Kumbhalghar is impregnable!" exclaimed Kunwar Pratap tapping his hand over one of the walls. "Bhai Shakti remember, we spent the first four years of our life here!"

"Those were golden days," nodded Kunwar Shakti without much of sensitivity. "Badi maasa taught us a lot and ranimaa enjoyed making various dishes for us."

Kunwar Pratap nodded with a huge smile saying, "And then....we all went to Chittor."

"After which there's only been vexation in that house." Added Kunwar Shakti with a straight face.

"No bhai," disagreed Kunwar Pratap immediately. "Ranimaa loves us, manjhali maa loves us and even choti..."

Kunwar Shakti simply raised his palm to stop his brother and said, "Three women can't live with each other the way three men can." 

"What?" frowned his older brother in sheer confusion. 

"You'll understand," replied Kunwar Shakti and walked away. "Come on let's eat!"

***

"Where's your attention Ajabde?" shouted Aacharya Raghavendra for the fifth time. "Why are there tremors in your arm?"

"Guruji," sighed Ajabde helplessly, "I can't do this. It's been three months and I'm unable to learn archery."

"If you put your mind to it, you can even move mountains." Stated the guru flatly. 

"But...."

"Ajabde..." came a soft cry from the threshold of the gurukul. "Guru Vitthal Rao ji is going to begin the Shastras, come soon."

Ajabde nodded at the young girl and looked at Aacharya Raghavendra asking his permission to leave. Taking leave, with her gurus permission she joined the girl who stood smiling at her. 

"Rajkumari Heer thanks for..."

"Oh ho Ajabde!" snapped Heer immediately. "How many times should I tell you to call me by my name?"

Ajabde shook her head at the princess and joined her palms in a mock sorry.

Rajkumari Heer Kanwar, was the princess of Amer and daughter to Raja Bharmal and Rani Champavati. Since childhood, Heer had a deep devotion to Lord Krishna and the infinite knowledge of the Gita. Taking her devotion as a cue, her father sent her to Kashi to learn from Vittal Rao, a famous saint and a scholar of Shastras. 

Heer and Ajabde became fast friends, being of the same age and similar mind set; both told each other about their respective kingdoms, stories and interests. 

Satisfied that they had much in common, Ajabde encouraged Heer to learn medicine and the excited princess being a quick learner soon began learning Ayurveda. 

Sitting for the Shastra lessons for the day, the recital of chants began but Ajabde's head was elsewhere. 

I still haven't learned about the types of bones and archery...Hey Bhagwan! how frustrating, thought Ajabde sulking; until Vittal Rao threw a piece of like chalk on her forehead.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed rubbing her forehead. 

"Where is your attention?" he shouted making Ajabde immediately look back into her books. Hey Eklinji! I'm being shouted at since morning....Should I run away? But where do I go? 

Shaking off her distressing thoughts, Ajabde continued the incantations and understanding the meaning of the scriptures. 

***

With the completion of their task, Kunwar Pratap and Kunwar Shakti returned home with huge smiles and hungry bellies. 

Maharani Jaivantabai did their aarti and tilak and blessed both the boys with a huge smile. 

Stepping into the palace, they took Rani Sajjabai's blessings and were about to go into the dining hall when Rani Dheerbai stopped them. 

Kunwar Pratap touched her feet for blessings while Kunwar Shakti simply joined his hands saying, "Khamma ghani."

"Kunwar Shakti, won't you take my blessings?" she asked with a plastered smile on her face. 

"I took blessings from my mother's I don't need yours." Saying this he walked into the dining hall. 

Kunwar Pratap noticed the slight flicker of sadness on Rani Dheerbai's face and said, "I apologize on his behalf."

Cupping his face she smiled and shook her head saying, "Don't worry I'm a mother at the end of the day. I've made something for you."

Maharani Jaivantabai's heart began thudding loudly. What has she made now? What does she want? She thought and immediately rushed towards her son saying, "You need to eat food."

"I'll have later, first I'll see what chotimaa has made for me." Smiled Kunwar Pratap and walked behind a smirking Rani Dheerbai. 

Hey Giridhar Gopal! Please keep my son safe, she pleaded shutting her eyes in fear. 

Rani Dheerbai took Kunwar Pratap into the dining hall and smiled at Kunwar Shakti who was busy having his meal. 

"Kokoya ji, bring the two glasses of thandaai I prepared." Said Rani Dheerbai. 

The servant came with the two glasses of drink. Placing one glass near Kunwar Shakti's plate she smiled at him saying, "You'll have come after three whole months; I've made this, specially for you'll."

Kunwar Shakti simply gave the woman a smirk and said, "I'm too full...I don't think I'll be able to have it." Saying that he walked out of the hall leaving Rani Dheerbai trying hard to hold back her rage. 

Smiling at Kunwar Pratap she handed him the glass saying, "At least you have it."

Kunwar Pratap smiled and took the glass from her hand and raised it towards his mouth to sip the contents.

Immediately Vikram Dev, Rani Sajjabai's second son, a four year old child, ran and hugged Kunwar Pratap from behind. 

The sudden gesture startled Kunwar Pratap making him drop the glass of thandaai making Rani Dheerbai nearly leave a loud groan. 

"Bhai Vikram!" he exclaimed with a smile and carried the young kid. "Chotimaa, could you please make me one more thandaai?"

"Why not?" she replied and walked out looking visibly enraged. 

As soon as she stormed out Maharani Jaivantabai walked into the dining hall and gasped seeing the thandaai on the floor. 

Looking at his mother's pale face, Kunwar Pratap looked at the thandaai and the dead ants that had gathered there. 

This means that Dheerbai wanted to poison him? thought the anxious mother in the maharani. 

Trembling with rage, she dashed out of the dining hall and screamed as she entered the Ranimahal. "DHEERBAI."

Hearing Maharani Jaivantabai's sharp voice ring through the Ranimahal, Dheerbai rolled her eyes thinking, how the hell do I get rid of both her and her son? They should have stayed out of the palace only like before.... irritation! 

The servants and other queen's made their way for a visibly enraged Maharani Jaivantabai who stormed into Rani Dheerbai's room. The biggest room in the Ranimahal. 

"DHEERBAI." She screamed once more. 

"What's the matter jija? You really look enraged..." muttered Rani Dheerbai looking a little frightened. 

"What's the matter?" thundered Maharani Jaivantabai. "Who do you think you are? HOW DARE YOU TRY TO POISON MY SON!"

"Jija, how can you accuse me?" cried Rani Dheerbai as tears streamed down her cheeks. "You are surely mistaken jija."

"Mistaken!" smirked the queen, "let me tell you something, the day my son was born I learned from doctors about the various types of poisons; you know why? Because this family has a history of poisoning king's."

"Jija why on earth would I try to kill my son?" Asked Rani Dheerbai brushing away her tears. 

"He isn't your son. You never considered him to be your son." 

"MAHARANI JAIVANTABAI JI." Roared Rana Udai Singh barging into the chamber. "HOW DARE YOU ALLEGE SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THAT TOO THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME YOU ARE DOING THIS!"

"Ranaji you can even have the glass of thandaai checked by the physicians." Said the queen with a straight face. 

"Jaivantabai ji, I can't believe that you being the oldest among the women in the Ranimahal can create such disturbance. How many times do you plan to do this!"

Kunwar Pratap and Kunwar Shakti had been eavesdropping on this family melodrama. Though Kunwar Pratap didn't want to stay, his brother held his arm firmly and forced him to watch from behind the drapes. 

Dadabhai I sincerely apologize, but if you don't realize what sort of a family this is; then life long you'll never understand badi maasa's and ranimaa's pain and anguish. You'll never comprehend how foolish our father is, thought Kunwar Shakti with a slight sigh. 

"Ranaji," began Maharani Jaivantabai in a firm voice, "these aren't baseless allegations, I've never made baseless allegations. You can ask Rawatji to have the glass checked."

"Maharani Jaivantabai, Dheerbai loves Kunwar Pratap more than her own son! How much more disgusting can you get?" Roared the king. "Just because I bought you back into the palace doesn't mean you can continue your poisonous words!"

Kunwar Pratap had tears in his eyes. Though he couldn't see his mother's face, he could imagine the plight his mother was going through. 

Maharani Jaivantabai now nearly lost all hope. Her face had turned ashen and her heart began thudding loudly. Did she sincerely have to fight this all alone, all over again.

"Jaivantabai, apologize right now." Ordered the king. 

Rani Sajjabai who stood at the threshold of the room gulped in fear and anxiousness. This wasn't the first time she had seen the banter between the two. 

Maharani Jaivantabai straighted the look on her face and said, "I won't apologize for something that isn't my mistake. Last time, I apologized because I had no proof whatsoever; but now I simply won't!"

"Ranaji," interjected Rani Dheerbai, "forget all this... misunderstandings do happen..."

"JAIVANTABAI JI APOLOGIZE." Roared the agitated king. 

"Please ranaji," begged a weeping Rani Dheerbai, "don't make me feel like a covetous wife. Jija is older to me..." Running towards Maharani Jaivantabai she joined her palms and said, "Jija I apologize for everything."

Maharani Jaivantabai cringed in disgust saying, "I wish ranaji never bought you into this palace." 

"JAIVANTABAI." Roared Rana Udai Singh. "YOU HAVE CROSSED YOUR LIMITS TODAY. I...DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOUR FACE EVER AGAIN." Turning towards his favourite queen he said, "Dheerbai ji, you should now shower a little more love on Kunwar Jagmal than on Pratap." Saying this he stormed off. 

As soon as he left, Rani Dheerbai brushed off her tears and looked at Maharani Jaivantabai and broke into a wicked giggle. 

Kunwar Pratap who was about to leave with a broken heart froze hearing Dheerbai's laughter. Standing right where he was, beside his brother he continued eavesdropping on the conversation. 

"Jija... you're right; I had laced the drink with poison. I seriously hate your son and you." Said Rani Dheerbai with a poker face. "I want my Jagmal to be king but...if Pratap doesn't die then...how's it possible?"

The mother in Jaivantabai began trembling. She couldn't believe that this so called mother could go to any extent to kill, plot and plan for her son. 

"Jija, it's best if Pratap does nothing. Infact it's good if he isn't alive." Smiled Rani Dheerbai. "At least...I won't have to dirty my hands."

Kunwar Pratap's world came crashing down. His heart nearly came to a complete standstill. He couldn't fathom that the woman he had considered his mother would stoop so low as to kill him. 

Tears ran down his cheeks in torrents making Kunwar Shakti glance at his brother whispering, "I had warned you."

Kunwar Pratap brushed off his tears and slumped away to his room. Kunwar Shakti walked into Rani Dheerbai's chamber and exclaimed, "Well done!"

"Kunwar Shakti?" smiled Rani Dheerbai wondering how much of it he had heard. 

"Daajiraj is literally under your influence." Smiled Kunwar Shakti. "Do you know black magic?"

"Shakti," said Maharani Jaivantabai, "let's go."

"Badi maasa," called Kunwar Shakti and then looked at Rani Dheerbai and continued, "why don't we kill her?"

"Shakti, let's go." Saying this Maharani Jaivantabai practically dragged him out of the chamber by his arm. 

"How much of this are you going to bear badi maasa!" Exclaimed Kunwar Shakti pulling his hand away from Maharani Jaivantabai's grip. "I even heard from ranimaa that when dadabhai was five years you'll left the palace!"

Maharani Jaivantabai brushed off her tears and gently cupped Kunwar Shakti's face saying, "Don't worry yourself in all this. Just grow up to respect your mother and the woman who'll be your wife in future."

Kunwar Shakti shook his head at her and hugged her tightly muttering, "Are you going to leave again?"

"Hmm..." She nodded hugging the boy back. 

Kunwar Shakti immediately wiped his tears and dashed away leaving Maharani Jaivantabai discombobulated for a moment.