Challenge #1 - A Little About My Personality

A verification check for those who know me and a glimpse into what I'm like for those who don't... 

A lamp dubiously flickered to life, lightening up a nervous looking Ajabde. Her hands clenched together, fingers tangling with each other as they gave a tinkling sound of her heavy hand ornaments. Her brows arched in worry, while her crimson colored lips formed a thin line. In the distance, she could faintly hear the auspicious melodies of trumpets, indicating the near arrival of a wedding procession. Immediately, she regretted her decision to send him a letter, asking him to meet her. It was unnecessary, an idea sprung out of her foolish yet habitual tremors. Her hand massaged her forehead, shutting her eyes at her immature decision.

“Ajabde?” He called out, making her turn on her heel. 

Before he could utter another word, his jaw dropped and he sucked in a breath at catching the view of her beautiful and graceful to-be wife. She was adorned in gold that complemented her heart and the warmth she radiated with her aura. Her wedding dress was filled with embroidered intricacies, one dissolving into another. Her hands were designed in red, the tips dipped in them, while the back of her hands were patterned in swirls. Bangles tinkled into each other as she moved her arms. While a red veil covered her neatly braided hair, the heavy ornaments were still slightly visible, running down to the ends of her hair, at times peeping out from her shoulders. Her eyes were subtly lined with kohl while her crimson colored lips sparkled behind her extravagant nose ring. She looked flawless, least to say. She looked like a queen. 

In between admiring her, the skilled warrior Pratap had forgotten to merely walk, for he stumbled on his step and bumped into a square sized table, hitting his knee. 

“Kunwar Pratap!” She exclaimed as worry spread through her face. Her brows arched and her lips curved inwards in a thin line as she ran towards him. The unique tinkling sound made him realize that she had worn anklets too, different to ones she normally wore for they carried a distinctive melodious tune. 

A slow smile played on his lips as she queried, “Are you okay?”

“With someone as beautiful as you, anyone is bound to lose their senses, Ajabde.” He praised as she looked away in embarrassment, earning a smirk from him. 

She dubiously met his gaze again, suddenly awestruck at how handsome he looked. His attire matched hers in color; Kunwar Pratap was decked in gold with streaks of red. His crimson colored turban glimmered with emerald stones while the same peeked through his various neck pieces he wore. He had a red embroidered shawl slung from his right shoulder, revealing his sturdy hand that carried multiple huge stoned rings. His sword slung low on his waist, its sheath sparkling with beautiful intricacies and exquisite stones. He reflected royalty, as much as she deflected it, as per her. His face was fazed with a serene smile, eyes speaking volumes of love, of nervous jitters, and something she couldn’t decipher in that moment.

“Ajabde?” He broke her train of thoughts with his melodious voice.

“Hmm?” She whispered, unable to form coherent words, still dazed at his presence. 

He waved his hands in front of her, startling her, as he began, “You called for me? Is everything okay?”

“Y-yes. Everything is fine.” She answered hastily, a little to him and more to herself. “I’m sorry. You were probably getting ready and I interrupted you unnecessarily. I shouldn’t have called for you. I’m sorry, Kunwar Pratap.” 

He stopped her rant by resting his hands on her shoulders, ever so softly.

“Ajabde. Calm down. Take a deep breath.” He inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly through his mouth as he asked her to do the same. She mimicked his actions, suddenly feeling at peace that he was with her.

“You don’t need to apologize for wanting to meet me.” His comment made her blush as she looked away. His lips curved at the effect he had on her before he pressed, “What’s wrong?” 

She sighed exasperatedly as she confessed, “I’m worried. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to handle all of this. Our marriage will bring so many new responsibilities I’m not sure I’ll be able to carry out well.” Her frown reflected all her insecurities as she shared them with him.

“It’s my first time, I feel so inexperienced. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to cope up with the royal protocol and duties.” 

“Well, I’d like to consider it a relief that this is your first time at marriage. I would have been concerned otherwise.” Pratap tried to lighten the mood. Ajabde grunted at his teasing before swatting his arm playfully. 

“Kunwar Pratap, this is serious. I’m serious.” Her face fell as she continued, “There are so many people I will have to interact with on a daily basis.” She turned to him in helplessness, “I’m not good with people.” 

“With all respect, I’m well aware, Ajabde.” He responded as memories took him back on a roller coaster ride. He was reminded of times when he first met her, reminisced how nervous yet beautiful she looked, stuttering at unusual intervals as she helped him find his way through her palace.

Taking her hands in his, he assured, “But your innocence, intelligence and simplicity had floored me. And I’m certain you’ll have the same effect on everyone else.” 

Cupping her face, she could feel anxiety and love, all in one, as he expressed, “To be honest, I’m nervous too. You probably have sensed it with your magical abilities that you possess. But we’re in this together. And we’ll handle this together. You can take all the time you want, Ajabde. If you want to postpone the wedding, so be it. But I’m with you. In every decision you make.” 

Her gaze on him softened as worry faded, her orbs sparkling with adoration and admiration. The man in front of her never failed to charm her with his gestures. One minute he teased, and the other he made her heart ache with overwhelming happiness. She realized she often thought to herself what she had done to deserve him. 

Clasping his hold on her, she assured, “If there is anything I’m sure of, it’s this. I’m sure I want this marriage, Kunwar Pratap. I love you.” She professed yet again, genuinity glimmering in her tone.

“I love you too.” He reciprocated, making her eyes glisten in happiness. This wasn’t his first time confessing his love for her. Yet each time felt significant. Perhaps it was his voice, or the way his eyes spoke similarly, or the very words that spread warmth down to her very toes. Maybe it was the fact that a royal had considered a mere commoner like her worthy of his love. Or maybe it was the love she had only fantasized through fairy tales that he brought to reality.

“Are you okay?” She asked as she noticed concern blanket all other emotions on his face.

He lowered his gaze as Pratap revealed, “I don’t know whether I’ll be able to live up to everyone’s expectations. I want to be a good son, a good warrior, a good prince..” He met her gaze as he uttered, “and a good husband.”

Ajabde processed his words before setting her lips in a tenacious and firm line. She took his hand in hers and led him to her bed that stood in the middle of her chamber.

As they sat down facing each other, Ajabde began, “You are an obedient son, a powerful warrior and a compassionate prince, Kunwar Pratap.”

Eyes met as he wondered what she would say about his last, yet most important role. 

“As far as the husband in you is concerned, it is a relief that this is your first time at marriage too. I would have been concerned, otherwise.” She grinned as he sighed, a smirk paving through his face too. 

“We’ll figure this out together, as it comes.” She affirmed, resting her hand on top of his. 

He pondered upon her words in wonderment before expressing, “How do you always manage to calm me down?”

Ajabde smiled timidly in embarrassment, playing with the bangles on her hand as she answered, “Maybe it’s just you.” 

He shook his head in denial, “You should give yourself more credit, Ajabde.” 

“People look up to you, they respect you. It’s me as a misfit that needs royalty lessons.” She changed the topic, fear clouding her face once again. 

He turned her head towards her, shifting her gaze from an uncertain oblivion to him.

Softly, he praised, “You’re honest, kind, grounded and caring. There are times when you tend to be a little stubborn, but you are determined about the things you love. You are passionate, supportive and responsible. You are brave--”

“I try to be.” She interrupted, earning him a grin in amazement. 

“You have no idea how strong you are, Ajabde. I can see that in you. And that’s why I say you have nothing to worry about.” 

She took in a minute as each word touched her soul. He had faith in her, and that’s all that mattered. She would go to lengths, only for him. 

Pratap bent his head to observe the perfection in their intertwined hands. He found himself sighing in admiration and peace This was where he belonged. With her. 

With a little hesitation, he whispered, “You know this would be anything but a normal marriage, right?”

She heaved a breath in trepidation before cupping his face, one hand rubbing soothing circles along his cheek, “I know. You are a prince and a warrior first, and then a husband. You have duties towards your people, towards your motherland. And nothing would make me more proud than seeing you following your duties, Kunwar Pratap. I don’t want to restrict your duties as a prince by the responsibilities of a husband.” 

“I may fail.” His brows arched in concern as his voice wavered. 

“No you won’t.” She spoke with gentle austerity and determination. “We won’t.” 

He looked at her dreamily as he confessed, “I may have fallen for you yet again, Ajabde!” 

She let out a few giggles at his flirtatious comments, inwardly thanking him for supporting her through her emotional turmoil.

He stood up as her gaze traveled to him, waiting for him to say something.

“You ready?” He asked, holding out his hand towards her. 

She felt the adrenaline surge through her. She felt his love encouraging her, her tenacity pushing her forward. 

Taking his hand she stood as well and nodded in agreement. 

With joined hands, they took steps together, promising each other a lifetime of togetherness.