The royal procession was halted after a day long journey.
They still have to cover a distance of half a day.
In the evening as the royal camp has been set up Hansa Bai ji was looking after the dinner preparations while Jaiwanta and Sajja Bai ji are making sure that none of the important stuff are missing.
Kuwar Pratap and kuwar Shakti are sharing a tent while Ajabdeh and Heer kanwar shares another tent.
All the queens are staying in the same tent as well.
Ajabdeh and Heer are having a light talk.
"So Ajabdeh how are you feeling...
You are going to marry your love...
I know you are happy but it's going to be a big change in your life and in chittor you will shoulder the responsibility of Kuwrani and the future empress..."
Says Heer with genuin concern for Ajabdeh
"Yes Heer...
Just in morning I was sad for leaving my home now I am stressed about how I will fulfill all my duties and responsibilities...
I have seen Ranima workiyday and night trying to make everything fine and keep peace in family..."
Says Ajabdeh looking out of window
"Yes Ajab and the most important thing about which I'm worried is kuwar Pratap's chotima...
Ranaji favours her and I know she doesn't want you there moreover kuwar sa doesn't take much interest in family politics...."
Says Heer
" I know Heer, I know....
But I am happy that atleast Ranima and Ranaji are now together on this decision on my marriage with kuwar Pratap and I will try my best to love chotima as well..maybe one day she will change..."
Says Ajabdeh bringing a smile on her face
"yes Ajabdeh...just know that whenever you need me I am just a letter away...
You can always rely on Me...
Moreover you have manjli ma and Ranima as well....
And kuwar sa loves you to moon and back, I am sure he will always support you..."
Says Heer happily hugging Ajabdeh
Ajabdeh wipes a tear that has escaped her eye.
" By the way Heer you may also come soon to help and support nenas my sister in law..."
Says Ajabdeh giggling
Heer kuwar goes red from ear to ear
" Ajab don't say things out loud.."
Says Heer softly
" Only you think so Heer, I sure Ranima and manjli ma have a hint of what's going on in between you and Kuwar Shakti..."
Says Ajabdeh
Heer is at lost for words getting stunned
" What who told them..?"
Asked Heer
" Your obvious support and fightings must have made them suspicious..."
Says Ajabdeh
Heer gets worried while Ajabdeh laughs.
Ranima calls everyone for dinner..
Everyone is having dinner while Ranima narrates them how the wedding rituals will take place.
"So after reaching chittor...
First ganpati sthapana will be done day after tomorrow in chittor palace and Santi Mahal as well...
After that all the rituals will begin..next day we will have mahndi and Sangeet
next day we will do Ajabdeh and Kuwar Pratap's haldi...
Oh and most importantly Pratap and Ajabdeh can't meet after their haldi..."
Says jaiwnata
" What why Ranima..."
Says Pratap in a hurry
Everyone laughs hard including Ajabdeh
" Oh in our culture bride and groom can't see each other's face after lagan haldi has been done..."
Explains Jaiwanta
" But ofcourse my dear brother won't like this arrangement no..?"
Says kuwar Shakti looking at Pratap
Kuwar Pratap makes a face as he doesn't like this arrangement one bit, he was planning to take Ajabdeh on a tour to make her more familiar with chittor but now that seems difficult.
Ajabdeh too felt sad that he couldn't see kuwar Pratap for 3 days but at the same time she wanted to respect traditions and want that every Ritual should take place properly.
"And after haldi next morning the wedding will take place..."
Says jaiwnata
Everyone agrees to the schedule and everyone finished their dinner and retire to their royal tents.
Ajabdeh was sitting on a table reading a book when Kuwar Pratap comes in her tent.
Kuwar Pratap saw that Ajabdeh has not noticed him and decided to scare her...
He tires to sneak behind her when Ajabdeh spoke...
"It won't work Kuwar sa..."
Says Ajabdeh still reading her book with a slight smirk on her face
"What... I thought you didn't notice me..."
Says Pratap
"I do always kuwar sa but I didn't felt like stop reading... This book is so good.."
Says Ajabdeh finally looking at him
"Oh so now your book is more important for you....than your soon to be husband..."
Says Pratap getting near her
"Ummm... I don't know.."
Says Ajabdeh teasing him intentionally
"What..."
Says Pratap immediately glaring at her
Ajabdeh can't control and burst out laughing
"My god... I'm joking kuwar sa...
See this is just a book about geography of Rajputana... Nothing else... "
Says Ajabdeh still laughing
Kuwar Pratap feels offended and gets near Ajabdeh's chair where she is still sitting caging her between both her arms, Ajabdeh immediately stops laughing
"Ajabdeh...you are getting more and more bold each day...
Making fun of me right when I'm so annoyed of those stupid rituals.."
Says Pratap nearing to her face
"don't talk like that Kuwar sa about rituals, they are made for a reason..and..."
Says Ajabdeh softly getting shy
" And..."
Asked Pratap enjoying her reaction
" And go away...
Heer will come in anytime..."
Says Ajabdeh bringing her book infront of her face blocking kuwar Pratap's line of vision
"Ajabdeh...
You always do this only.... keeping a distance...I came in to specially meet you and your chasing me away... moreover this may be the last time we are meeting before our wedding..."
Says Pratap lowering the book and taking his face near Ajabdeh's.
Their noses barely touching
Ajabdeh observed that kuwar Pratap seems off today, his holds a sadness.she decides to ask later.
"Kuwar sa what the hell....it's about few days only then I will be coming to stay at Chittor forever..."
Says Ajabdeh taking her head back and smiling
"Still I don't like it..."
Says Pratap
"Go away now..."
Says Ajabdeh smiling softly
" Cough...
That's why I said Ajabdeh, we should not share a tent..."
Says Heer laughing
Ajabdeh is stunned and immediately pushed kuwar Pratap away and he falls back as a sudden shock.
" My god Ajab you will kill him...
He is not your enemy don't use so much strength....save it you know.."
Says Heer laughing and winking
Ajabdeh clearly understood Heer's meaning and gets red
Kuwar Pratap gets up still recovering from the shock that Ajabdeh managed to push him that hard
