Night fell on Junnar. Torches and oil lambs were ignited at houses. Lambs at the town temples were flickering because of the wind. the town was getting sleepy... and suddenly the loud sound of horses appeared from all directions. town went alert.
Vishvas-rao just had a meal and he was sitting on the swing on the balcony of his mansion. the weapons hung on the walls were shining from the lights of torches. after he heard the tapping of horses he quickly stood up. his attention went towards the doors... at that moment, a spy came running.
"Terrible news! Lakhuji Jadhav has surrounded the town. he is coming this way."
'he came at the right time...' Vishvas-rao thought while taking the sword hung on the wall. he got to the door in four steps. in front of him, Lakhuji Jadhav appeared. naked sword in hand and angry look on his face.
"Where is that Bhosla!" Lakhuji roared.
"first sheath your sword. and come in..." Vishvas-rao suggested.
"quietly move aside" Lakhuji said.
"you cannot enter with a naked sword" Vishvasrao said calmly.
Lakhuji stopped. his white mustache was trumbling because of anger. he again asked the same question.
"where is that Bhosla!?"
"he is not here."
"must be hiding."
"Bhosle name hasn't fallen that low yet"
with a mocking smile Lakhoji said. "so it has fallen at the point of running away?"
Vishvas-rao's patience ran out. he said.
"Enough! this is the house of Bhosale's Vyahi. Insult on the Bhosale name will not be accepted here!"
"tch, I am not requesting. there is a sword at hand. move aside!"
suddenly Vishras-rao drew his sword. the sheath fell on the floor.
"You dare!" said Lakhoji-rao as he raised his sword, at that moment a voice rang out.
"aba!"
Lakhoji-rao's neck turned with the voice. Jija-bai was standing at the hall's entrance. half of her face was lightened up due to torches. Lakhoji's hand went down slowly.
Vishvas-rao gave the way, but Lakhoji had no courage to step forward.
Jiu! so many memories with this name. Lakhoji's dear daughter. The goddess Lakshmi of the Jadhav household herself! went to the Bhosale's and Jadhav family fell in dire states.
The sword fell from Lakhoji's hands. he moved forward with heavy steps while his lips were moving soundlessly. gathering all the strength he muttered.
"JIU~~"
"aba¹" while saying this Jija-bai came down from the stairs and hugged Lakhoji who was standing at the centre of the hall.
everyone went to the main hall where Lakhoji-rao sat down on the arrangements. Vishvas-rao came forward and said while touching Lakhoji's feet.
"MamaSaheb, forgive me."
"haah, Vishvas-rao! why ask forgiveness? seeing you so angry made me happy. Although not in Bhosale's but in their acquaintance there are tigers, this makes me happy."
Lakhoji laughed at his joke and while laughing he realized no one else was laughing so he abruptly stopped. he said while bringing Jija-bai near.
"Daughter, are you fine?"
"Fine! why ask, aba?" Jija-bai stopped while speaking.
Lakhoji-rao said. "Speak, daughter, why did you stop?"
Jija-bai looked into her father's eyes, she felt a strange sorrow.
she spoke unknowingly.
"Lady is like turmeric, one will pick up and stick onto one's forehead. at Rangpanchami², your daughter's turmeric was thrown in the air. it is still roaming in the air."
"in the air? why?" Lakhuji roared. "When did this Lakhoji's kin has value as low as this!? if he can't take care of his wife then my daughter certainly isn't a burden for me."
"If daughter is so dear then why speak such unlucky things? if something terrible happens then will you be happy? aba, you have sworn on my name..."
"No, Daughter. do not speak! don't involve me in your swearing. my body is bound to Jadhav kin. Past grievances! I cannot ignore it even if I want to. until death, I must do what I have to. you have my blessing! forever be happy. even if I die, do not grieve.
tears started spilling out of Jija-bai's eyes which Lakhoji quickly wiped.
"Don't cry, daughter. listen to me. look around you, famished land, people don't recognize each other. no stable rule. Bandits are all over, how will you live alone in such a state? listen to me, come to Sindkhed. that is your home. when everything is fine then live wherever you want.
moving her neck sideways Jija-bai said. "I am the daughter of the Bhosale family now, if I go with you in such a situation then it won't be good."
Lakhuji sighed and said. "one puzzle after another, my daughter. so complicated. abandoned by husband... and i your father, can do nothing but watch.
"Don't say that, aba.
a lot can be done."
"do tell, what can I do?"
"aba, please drop me at Shivneri before you leave. I will feel better there."
"I understand what you mean...Vishvas-rao!"
"arrange a carriage tomorrow, it's better to be at the top of the fort instead of staying here in heat."
"I was about to do it, the fort is ours. I only have one request."
"Why the request? you maybe younger but order it. afterall, our daughter. pride of Jadhavas is in your hands,"
"I might be speaking too much, but you may be bitter about the enmity between Jadhavas and Bhosle but today I think it is God-given."
"say what?"
"if not for this enmity, you wouldn't have come at our humble home, and the Lakshmi of Jadhav family also wouldn't have blessed us with her presence."
"even tho we are used to royal prestige, your words still surprise me"
"what about my request?"
"what request?"
"you and your people, do have a meal"
"my people already had their meal at the last stop, we came keeping in mind that we might have to ride for the whole night. I have aged now. I only eat a meal once a day. if you arrange for the horses..."
"that has already been arranged. but you don't come very often... your ladyship, say something..."
Jija-bai said with hesitateon "you both are elders to me. aba..."
"Fine then. Vishvas-rao, it's nighttime. I will just have some rice and milk"
at the banquet hall, silver dishes were arranged on small tables which are called 'Paat' on the floor. Vishvas-rao brought Lakhoji towards one paat.
"what's this? just one? and yourself?"
"I was done... before you came."
"this won't do. you must join as well. who knows when fate will bring this opportunity again?"
more paat's were arranged. Vishvas-rao's people were watching happily as everyone was eating. when 'Pulao' was brought to be served Lakhoji-Rao said.
"Enough, no more"
"your ladyship, this is your home as well. please do serve your father."
Jijau adjusted her sari and took the plate of Pulao from the maid and served her father. Lakhoji's hands which were above his plate fell back. Lakhoji said.
"You Bhosle people are rather clever at schemes"
Everyone laughed. while more pulao was being served, Lakhoji's hands wouldn't move to stop the serving. seeing Lakhoji's face, her smile froze. Lakhoji's eyes were a bit teary. Jijau said,
"aba~"
wiping his eyes Lakhoji said. "serve, daughter. today let me eat at my heart's content. I haven't had such a lovely meal in a while because of all the politics."
- the banquet continued merrily.
1- 'aba' means father in Marathi
2- 'rangpanchami' is a festival where people apply colours on each other, eat sweets and gather in groups for festival.
pp