“ Ami….Ami…” Swara shouted while Sharmishta came running to her.
“ I know , I know , your job is fixed but that doesn’t mean you’ll shout like that…….its bad Swara….” Sharmishta said as she handed Swara her cup of coffee for which she has been asking since last 10 minutes.
“ Ok , I am sorry Baba….but I am getting late……its first day……..” Swara said making her face into a cute puppy’s.
Sharmishta smiled as she saw Swara and nodded , “ Ok , I am going….” Swara said keeping the cup and walking out.
“ Breakfast…..” Sharmishta asked tensed as she saw Swara running out.
“ Cantee…….” Swara was saying when she was stopped by a sound , “ Swara….” She stopped and turned.
“ Abu….We’ll talk after I come back…..” She said to Shekhar.
“ Swara wait….” Shekhar said coming to her.
“ Swara , come early today……..Some people are coming to see you……” Shekhar said with a smile caressing her head , Swara’s eyes widened , “ Marriage…….no Abu…” Swara said with her mouth and eyes wide open.
“ Beta…..they are coming , first see the groom……..” Shekhar said while Swara nodded with a dull face , she couldn’t refuse to Shekhar.
She went out angrily.
“ She’ll like him na Shekhar…..” Sharmishta asked Shekhar while he nodded , “ Both are childhood friends , they’ll for sure like each other…….” They both smilled.
**
16th century:
“ Maaaaaaaaaaaa…….” Ragini screamed while Janki came running to her.
“ Kya Hua??” Janki asked tensed at her scream.
“ Hum , Hum …….Humara Rishta Pakka Karne Ke Liye Jaa Rahe Hain??” Ragini asked tensed while Janki bit her tongue.
“ Ragu………He’s the best boy…meet him , you’ll love him….” Janki said smiling.
Ragini threw a dress at janki , “ Call Bauiji…..I’ll talk to you only after that…..” She said while Janki went out to call Shekhar.
“ Yeh Ladki….Itni Ziddhi…..” Janki complained to Shekhar while he smiled.
“ She’s our only daughter Janki…….Now What Happened…..??” Shekhar asked still smiling.
“ She got to know why we are going..” Janki replied worried.
“ Ok , I’ll explain her……” Saying this Shekhar went to Ragini’s room.
“ Bauji……….I won’t marry…” Ragini said as she hugged Shekhar tightly.
Shekhar looked at her and broke the hug , then caressed her face and said , “ Just Meet the boy , you’ll love him, please….” Ragini nodded with a dull face , she couldn’t refuse to Shekhar.
Ragini went out while Janki-Shekhar smiled.
**
Present
“ Mein aur Shadi…….woh Bhi Isse….Iss Bandar Se…” Swara said angrily as she kept her bag on the sofa , she had come back early as she told Shekhar but what she got , she has to marry him.
Sanskar’s face lost its colour , she called him a monkey……how dare her , he stood up and came close to her , she tried moving back as she saw him coming closer , “ Even I am not interested to marry you Bandariya…….” He said angrily as she was pinned to the wall now.
She pushed him hard as he almost fell down but she got hold of his hand , she smiled , “Don’t dare call me that….” She said smiling at her victory , then Sanskar stood up and as she tried walking past him , he tripped her ……but saved her before she fell , then he smiled , “ Ok , Bandar……” Swara stood up and went to Ramprasad directly.
“I don’t want to marry him…..” She said sitting next to Ramprasad and making a puppy face.
“ Bandar Ki Bachi……” Sanskar said angrily coming towards them while Ramprasad hit him on his head , “ Don’t dare say anything to my daughter….” Sanskar made faces at him while he went and hugged Shekhar.
“ You’ll become my daughter na….” Ramprasad asked Swara smiling. Swara nodded confused.
“ Let them say anything Beta………..You’ll become my son na…….” Shekhar asked smiling while Sanskar too nodded , equally confused.
“ Toh Rishta Pakka…….” Sharmishta and Sujata together said while SwaSan looked at them , open mouthed , they were Be-fooled.
“ But , Ami……I can’t marry him….” “ But Maa , I can’t marry her…” Swara and Sanskar together said while Sharmishta looked at them.
“ You agreed now…..you can’t refuse….. Swara , Sanskar is best and Sanskar , My daughter too…..” Sharmishta said while Swara and Sanskar looked at each other.
“ Beta….you both are childhood friends………” Shekhar said while Swara and Sanskar looked at each other , “ Friends……” Their eyes questioned the other , they both were childhood enemies.
Still they both nodded and agreed , this was a bad trait in both of them , they could never refuse anything that their parents told them , no matter the thing was the worst thing ever happened to them , maybe this was their love for their parents……….carried from some other birth.
16th century:
“ Yeh Kya Hai??” Laksh asked as he looked at the long list that was kept in front of his eyes , Ragini smiled , “ Humari Hai , Shadi ke baad Humari Saari Khwashiye Ap Hi Puri Karenge Na….” She said smiling while the anger hidden deep could be easily sensed in her voice but only by Laksh.
Laksh understood what she was upto and looked at her angrily , “ Buddhu , Do you really think that I’ll fulfil your wishes??” He asked angrily raising his eyebrows.
“ Badi Maa,……….See him…..I won’t marry this Maha Budhu…..” Ragini said angrily as she went to Annapurna who smiled.
“ Chote Maa…….I don’t want to marry her at all and then this list…….” Laksh went to Janki who too smiled.
Durgaprasad came and sat next to Ragini , he then caressed her head and smiled , “ Laksh……don’t dare say anything to my Princess….” Durgaprasad smiled while Laksh made faces at him.
“ Beta , you’ll become my daughter na……” Durgaprasad asked smiled while Ragini nodded , confused.
Laksh looked at her and went to Shekhar hugging him , Ragini sticked out her tongue at him, “ Chote Papa , see her……” Laksh said as he faked tears while Ragini looked at him with wide eyes.
“ Ragini……..thats bad……..Laksh is my son……..(Now to Laksh ) You are na…….” Laksh nodded smiling while Ragini made faces this time.
“ Toh Rishta Pakka…..” Janki and Annapurna together said while Ragini and Laksh eyed them shocked , they were Be-fooled.
“ But this List…….” Laksh said as he looked at the list which though being in his hand touched the floor of the Palace , Ragini smirked.
“ You’ll fulfil her every wish……” Durgaprasad smiled while Ragini turned her face.
She couldn’t refuse to her parents and so couldn’t Laksh.
**
Marriage preparations were started , Janki was very excited for the marriage of her one and only daughter while Ragini was angry , she had to marry that Maha Budhu…how she wouldn’t be angry, All the rituals of the marriage took place in two ways , one in Hindu and one in Muslim….Laksh was too worried , he had his crowning done soon and then marriage , he just didn’t wanted to marry Ragini ,she was a Billi , A Budhu……..he hated her sooo much but still he had to marry , he couldn’t refuse .
Present:
Swara ‘s new job had her 1 month absence as well due to her wedding , the wedding was planned , everyone was happy , except for Swara herself , how she would be , she never wanted to marry and then she had to marry that Bandar but she couldn’t do anything , she couldn’t refuse to Shekhar…so was the condition of Sanskar , A C.A. by profession , he had to marry a Bandariyan , what could be worse for him but still all the rituals of the marriage completed in both Muslim and Hindu way , they both got married and here came the time , they had to live together from now.
16th century :
Ragini and Laksh’s big day arrived as they both got married and got tied in a relation that was to never break , maybe a relation that bound them together even after their death.
“See Budhu……you will sleep on floor…..not me……” Ragini said angrily while Laksh had arranged her bed , On floor before her entering the room.
“ This is my room , why will I sleep down….??” Laksh asked as he sat on the bed.
“ Now , Mine too…..even I won’t sleep down….” Ragini said as she sat on the other side of the bed. Both looked towards each other and passed glares to each other , “ Ok” Laksh said as he laid down on one side of the bed.
Ragini looked at him with fire blazing in her eyes , she laid down on the other side.
“ Budhu….” She said angrily under her breath.
**
Present :
“ Bandar……where are we caught….” Swara said sadly as she and Sanskar were sitting on the bed almost with a crying face , both wearing their wedding dresses.
“ Seriously , you actually had your own room and now , you need to sleep on floor….” Sanskar said innocently while Swara’s eyes suddenly widened , “ Who told you am sleeping on floor??” She asked angrily while Sanskar looked towards her with sheer innocence.
“ Its my room…….I’ll sleep on bed then where will you sleep??” Sanskar asked as he looked at her with questionable eyes.
Swara looked at him with shock in her eyes , she never excepted this Bandar to actually act like one , “ So……be a gentleman , sleep on floor….” Swara said but as she was saying , Sanskar suddenly grabbed on a corner of the bed , “ I won’t leave my bed haan…..sleep there….” He said as he pointed the other side of the bed.
Swara looked at him muttering as many curses as she could as she took the other corner.
Both of them slept peacefully forgetting each other’s presence in a few minutes.
The first day after wedding , it can’t be worse for two souls who never even thought of seeing each other’s face but actually ended up getting tied in a wedding ,on the top of it , what they got as the wedding present from Swara and Sanskar’s parents was a Honeymoon trip to Agra.
“ I can’t go Papa…..I have my work…..” Sanskar said getting up worried.
“ I have to go….I love Agra…..I want to visit it…” Swara who had always been fascinated about historical places said , she had the desire to see so many places but time could never stop for her …..this time she was getting a chance to visit The Taj Mahal , the magnificent Taj Mahal , How could she miss the Chance…
Sanskar looked towards her with jolt , he never expected her to agree but as he saw her eyes , the twinkle in her eyes as she heard about the trip , he realized that he couldn’t resist this Twinkle , “ Alright…..I’ll come..” He said in a single go and left the Dining table without a word next , Swara couldn’t have asked for more.
“ Thank you Papa….Ma…” She said as she ran to her room , she had to get ready for office.
Sujata and Ramprasad looked towards her going , “ Papa…..Maa….” They thought with a smile , they knew they had searched the best life partner for Sanskar ,he cared for her smile , she smiled for him…..they knew that they were perfect for each other.
**
16th Century:
“ But , you got married now only na…why going on a war now…” Ragini said lowering her eyelashes as Laksh was working on a war manifesto , she didn’t care for him but something…..something did matter a lot , she was sad that he was going.
“ Ragini , its really urgent , I don’t know , they attacked my kingdom at this time , I know they did it specifically so that we don’t get time to defend my kingdom , I need to go with Bauji….I need to..” Laksh said as he knew that though the girl was his childhood enemy but she had a heart of gold caring for everyone.
Ragini looked towards the mirror , she was confused as she saw the girl in front of her , it wasn’t the Ragini who hated the fact that she had to marry her childhood enemy , this was the girl who actually hated the fact that her childhood enemy was going away from her , now.
But Laksh had to go, it was important , the very first problem of being a king was his duty, his duty that would never let him live in peace and so he left for war.
Ragini was worried , she had heard a lot about wars from her Friends who used to tell her how bad a war is , how many people die and all , she had never been exposed to the outside world , her parents kept their little Princess in all comforts but as she was being exposed to the world , her fear was rising , she cared for everyone , everyone but something did feel different for him……she was worried if anything happens to anyone but more worried that if something happens to him?
“ Nothing will happen beta…” Annapurna ensured Ragini while she nodded.
“ Raniji , there’s a bad news , our kingdom has chances of… of losing….” A Dasi came to them and told them while Ragini looked towards Annapurna questionably, Annapurna herself got tensed.
She didn’t knew what to do , what to say , it has been 6 days since the war had started and Laksh and Durgaprasad were out , her own tension was rising because this was the first war that Laksh was going to fight , she just prayed for the safety of her son.
**
Present:
“ I hope you are happy now…” Sanskar said as Swara and Sanskar had been roaming on streets of Agra enjoying the soothing effect that this town of love gave them along with some shopping.
“ Yaa Off course..You know I always wished to see Taj Mahal…Tomorrow we’ll go to see it , I am so happy,…” Swara said with a cute smile almost jumping with excitement. Sanskar looked towards her , for the first time he was smiling seeing her , her smile seemed to be the most prettiest smile he had ever came across , his Bandariya too looked like an Angel with that enchanting smile.
They both went to their hotel room and had a beautiful stay together , for the first time they both talked to each other like friends , they have been enemies since the very first time they met but as they both had to stay together now , they tried initiating a conversation , the first one to talk was Swara , off course she was the one , she had to say Thank you to Mr Bandar Maheshwari for agreeing to come here , Now Sanskar didn’t minded being called a Bandar , afterall he was called by this name everyday now and so did Swara , infact they enjoyed being called by these names , afterall it made them realize that they are different for someone , someone special for someone , even if as a Monkey.
“ Wow yaar..Taj is so beautiful…How much Shah Jahan would have loved Mumtaj Ji na…” Swara said as she and Sanskar were standing in front of the magnificent Taj with all its beauty , Sanskar just smiled ,” Wish someday even I feel Love…” Sanskar said looking towards her.
“ Don’t worry , everyone gets love , someday for sure even you’ll get , the Princess of your dreams…” Swara said as she put her arm around Sanskar’s neck like two best friends.
“ I am married… with you..” Sanskar said as he looked at her raising his eyebrows as if asking what she’ll do if he ever falls in Love.
“ So what , Love doesn’t see relationship status na…” Swara said with a smile while Sanskar laughed at the madness of the girl standing by his side , she must be the first wife to think this way.
“What is this?” They heard someone ask from the travel guide at a bit far off place while the travel guide replied , “ Kisi Ke Pyaar Ki Nishani….” Swara laughed and left Sanskar’s neck but held his hand and took him towards the place where the conversation was taking place , “ Love in the air…” She said laughing while she almost dragged her new found ‘Best Friend’.
“ But this is just a rock , infact it is placed oddly…” Swara questioned the guide as she looked at the rock , it was quite a big stone but small enough for someone to lift it.
“ Yes because it is waiting to get removed…” The old guide smiled while this time Sanskar was up with his question.
“ Means?” Sanskar asked.
**
16th century:
Ragini was sitting in front of a Krishna Idol , tears were streaming down her eyelids while she herself didn’t knew why they were , “ God , Please , I beg you , I am ready to lose everything , to lose this Kingdom , to lose all the wealth , to lose all the jewels I posses but please don’t make me to lose Laksh , I know I was the one who hated him, I was the demanding one , I called him Budhu but still I like him , I really like him a lot , if something happens to him , whom I’ll tease , I won’t be able to tease anybody , he’s by favourite enemy and my best friend too , please God , nothing should happen to him…” She was talking to God when suddenly her eyes fell on a sword kept nearby , suddenly a flower descended down the garland around Krishna Ji’s neck and made it place in her lap, Ragini suddenly realized her tears and wiped them.
“ Beta , this is for your benefit , My daughter is the strongest…” She remembered Shekhar telling her while he was once teaching her sword fighting , she smiled as she saw the moment again in front of her eyes.
“ Rajkumari…” The voice brought her back as all the images of Shekhar and young Ragini evaporated and she was brought back to the now world. She looked towards the Dasi standing in front of her while she raised her eyebrows questionably.
“ Please don’t cry , everyone would be safe…” The Dasi consoled her while Ragini had a smile seeing her concern , The Nakchadi Billi was turning into a responsible Girl.
“ Do you know sword fighting?” Ragini asked the Dasi while Dasi looked at her and nodded , “ We all here learn sword fighting , to defend ourselves…” She said while Ragini had a new hope rise in her heart as she heard her.
“ Also to defend our Kingdom…” Ragini said as she held her shoulder.
“ See , tell every Dasi here to come with me , if our husbands can defend our Kingdom so can we….” Ragini said as the Dasi too smiled , the diminishing lamp of hope was rekindled by Ragini’s words.
**
All the Dasi’s and other women who knew the art of Sword Fighting assembled in the ground of the palace , “ Maa…Hum Apne Rajya Ko Bacha Kar hi Rahenge…” Ragini said as she took blessings of Annapurna who was worried by the decision of Ragini.
“ Aur Apne Pati Ko Bhi…” Ragini said to herself , her eyes suddenly welled up as some realization seemed to struck her hard , Her Husband , Her Pati…she had fallen in love with the Budhu.
Annapurna blessed her worried while Ragini , completely in a warrior Avatar left the Palace on her horse along with her own Army.
Laksh was trying to do his best to fight for his Kingdom though his Kingdom was losing , his father was badly injured and this had brought down his spirits , everytime he entered the field to fight , thoughts of Durgaprasad’s health had him wondering , sometimes he even thought about his family , his mother Annapurna , his Kingdom but never about Ragini….because she was in his heart , how could he never someone who was always there by his side in his heart , while coming away from her for this war he had this realization that he had started loving the Demanding Princess he so called as Budhu , he wanted to go back and confess it to her but he had to still fight , fight a lot.
“ Waise Budhu….you lost very soon…I never expected this” Ragini said in a teasing tone as she sat next to him on the sand, he was hurt on his leg and wincing in pain but as she said this , he got up and attacked the one who was coming to attack him , Ragini laughed and disappeared , Laksh laughed as he hit his head.
“ Wish I get the chance to meet you in actual Ragini…” Laksh thought to himself when suddenly he heard the sound of a horse , he turned back to fight with the one who has come to attack him but what he saw was a girl , her face covered by a veil , only her eyes were visible but those eyes , they attracted Laksh like anything , he couldn’t resist staring at them .
“ Budhu..” He heard the words repeatedly while he came out of his trance.
“ Ragini…” He looked here and there to find her but Ragini again whispered.
“ I am here…” Laksh turned to see towards the source of voice and looked again towards the veiled girl , so she was Ragini , he was shocked.
“ Budhuuuuuuu…..” Ragini shouted while she attacked a man who was coming to attack Laksh.
“ You’ll remain Budhu…” She said as she started fighting while Laksh looked towards her confused and then himself started fighting.
**
The war continued but the coming of a whole new army increased their power and Laksh won the war within a few days , it was all because of Ragini and her strength proving that girls are not less in anything , even not less in saving their kingdom when they require to do so.
Durgaprasad was looked after by the ved while on the departure day from the war ground Ragini and Laksh looked towards the place where Laksh had seen Ragini in veil on the horse sitting on a piece of Rock…
“ I have to say something…” Laksh said as he hesitantly got hold of Ragini’s hand while a blush stained Ragini’s cheeks.
“ I love you…” She said without waiting further while Laksh was left flabbergasted , he blinked his eyes while Ragini smiled , “ What you though , you’ll go ahead of me in proposing…” She asked while this time Laksh blushed.
“ Yes I love you , I love you toooo….” Laksh too replied still blushing while Ragini laughed seeing his blush.
“ Your tension made me realize that I love you but I think I did a mistake , loving you…” Ragini said as she looked towards him with a not so happy look.
“ Acha Budhu…”He said as he started running behind Ragini who too started running to resist being caught up by him.
“ Budhu…Blushing Budhu…” Ragini teased while both of them were laughing while running here and there….sometimes Parents choice also turns out to be the best for us , thats what Ragini and Laksh understood.
**
Present:
“ This rock is here since a King and Queen after fighting and winning here to save their kingdom from enemies sat on it and then inscribed their names on it , their names are written on the lower portion touching the sand so we can’t see them , since then no one is able to pick it up or even rotate it ,it is said that only they would be able to turn it and pick it up…how no one knows but still this rock is waiting…” Said the guide as he touched the rock slightly while Swara laughed.
“ These people weave so many stories , ok , I will turn this rock now….” Swara said while she moved towards the rock and tried to pull it up , the rock looked really a small one and so she was sure that she’ll pick it but as she tried she wasn’t able to , she looked towards Sanskar who was looking towards her keenly seeing if she’s able to pull up the rock , she after trying much angrily eyed him.
“ Help me…” She shouted as if she’ll kill him while Sanskar too started trying to help her as he saw her angry eyes , he realized that she was asking for help through her eyes since much time , the guide and other tourists laughed seeing her plight while as Sanskar touched it the rock turned , Sanskar looked at it shocked as the guide too looked at it shocked.
Swara was smiling giving a victorious look to people while all people moved away , “ Nothing special…just a weaved story it was…” Sanskar heard one of them say as they left while Swara looked towards the guide now , Questionably , the guide was looking towards the rock.
“ Ragini-Laksh…” The guide said with a smile as he saw the names carved on the rock , Swara looked towards the rock and so did Sanskar.
“ Ragini-Laksh…Sanskar-Swara…” Read SwaSan’s eyes while they looked at it shocked seeing their names imprinted in it.
“ Only they can turn it…so maybe you are only Ragini-Laksh…” Said the guide as he kept his hand on their foreheads blessing them , “ Lovers can never be just a story beta…” He said as he left while Swara looked towards Sanskar.
“ Maybe Lovers die but love doesn’t…” Swara said as she looked at Sanskar with a serene smile , some realization had its way out of her heart , Sanskar too smiled , after that blushed , after he was Laksh , Swara laughed.
“ You got your love………soon…” Swara said as she ran away while Sanskar too laughed and ran behind her , only they can see that they were re born to harbour the same love in their heart that they had left when they died centuries ago.
The sky turned dim and Ragini’s image was seen in it , “ Why are we writing it on rock , we should write our name on sand na…..it looks more beautiful…”
“ No Ragini….Sand will be gone someday , this rock won’t until and unless we pick it up , in some other birth….” Laksh told her while Ragini smiled and hugged him tightly.
“ We’ll meet like this only , fight and then love….Ok Bandar…” She said smiled.
“ Bandar….new name?” Laksh asked while Ragini nodded smiling , “ Ok Bandariya…” Laksh said as he touched her nose cutely.
“ Laksh see….Rainbow…” Ragini pointed towards the sky while Laksh took out a ring and placed it in front of his eyes like seeing the sky through it , the diamond on the top of the ring lightened up orange because of the rays of the sun and rainbow.
“ No Ragini…our Jewelled Rainbow…” He said as he made her wear the ring.
“ Sanskar…see our Jewelled Rainbow…” Swara said as and Sanskar were sitting on the ground in front of Taj Mahal now , her past memories giving her a slight hint.
Ragini smiled and so did Sanskar , “ Jewelled Rainbow…” They both said as they hugged their respective partners with a promise to love them till eternity.