Usually, the days started quite late in Chandrika Bai's Kotha. The members of that household, like others in a similar occupation, both started and ended their days late.

The next day, it was past noon, when Chandrika came downstairs. She always partook her breakfast in her room upstairs before coming down dressed for the day.

After quickly checking on how the domestic help were getting on with their tasks for the day, she asked for the young woman who had caused her a sleepless night. She was informed that Hari was in the backyard with Bhanu kaka.

The scene towards the end of the backyard was not entirely unexpected and yet Chandrika frowned. Dressed in a plain dark cotton lehenga, which was now soiled, Hari was force-feeding a black goat while an old man tried to hold the animal in place.

Approaching them, Chandrika demanded "Hari, what are you doing with that goat now?!"

Instead of the question's intended target, Bhanu kaka replied apologetically "Bai-sa, I told her I will give Kali the medicine after Bala gets back from the market. But she insisted..."

Assured that the goat had swallowed the medicine, Hari stepped back with a triumphant look "Why wait for Bala, when I can manage it perfectly fine?! Kaka let's give her another dose in a few hours. I am sure she will stop pooping all over the yard by evening."

Her warm brown eyes glinting with glee, she addressed Chandrika "The white hen is laying eggs again! Didn't I tell you she is just going through a phase..." Pouting she added "And you wanted to cook her for dinner!"

Chandrika tutted "Had I known you were going to turn into farm-help, I would have never sent you with Hrithvi! I wanted you to learn to conduct yourself with more grace and poise. And look at you!"

"Why do I need, grace and poise? To serve Paan to your valued guests??" Hari shot back and immediately added in an accusatory tone "Why did you send for me last night? That Thakur-sa... he forced me to feed him... I would rather feed Kali ten times a day than feed him!"

With a roll of her eyes, Chandrika spoke "Kaka, you can carry on with your work. And please ask someone to bring some lemon-water for us out here." As the old man hobbled away, glad to be spared any further drama between the two women, he heard Bai-sa saying "Hari, come sit with me in the shade."

As soon as they were seated under the canopy of a mango tree, the older woman started "Your jhumkas were mismatched last night!"

"I just wore whatever Kaki handed me." Hari muttered in reply.

Chandrika tutted "That woman is soon going to go blind... yesterday she added sesame seeds to the Thandai instead of poppy seeds!" With a shake of head, she reverted to the discussion at hand "And why are you always so untidily dressed?! How many times have I told you to dress up for the evenings? Kaki said you refused to change last night-"

Hari interjected "Dress up for that old man?? Never!" And then recalling something, she asked "And what happened to the other old man he had brought along yesterday?"

"Other old man??" Chandrika was confused.

Hari frowned "Kaki mentioned some Raja-sa..." and then grinned "Did he fall asleep during the performance itself??"

Chandrika was flummoxed "What are you talking about? You met him... and served him Paan too. I especially sent for you because of him."

"But there was no one there wearing a crown... I checked. Other than Thakur-sa, only that young man had a Paan." Hari muttered.

The older woman exclaimed "That young man was Raja-sa! Raja Vayu Pratap Singh of Sudhagadh. He is Thakur-sa's sister's son, who is currently visiting Chandanpur."

Remembering the handsome man with mysterious dark eyes, Hari stuttered "Oh... how was I to know... Kaki didn't mention that was him... I thought Raja-sa must be even older than Thakur-sa..." Then gaining her composure, she asked "But why did you want to parade me in front of him?"

Sounding hesitant, Chandrika replied "I don't know what I was thinking... But it doesn't seem likely that he will come back. And he is only here for a few days."

Abruptly changing the subject, she muttered "I might have to send you away for some time."

Hari protested "Again?? But I have just come back from Hrithvi's... Let me stay here for at least a few months!"

Unable to make any promises, Chandrika silently clasped Hari's hand and drew it to her lips for a gentle kiss.

* * *

Along with some family members, Vayu and Krushanu stood in the porch, watching a couple of carriages exit the gates of Vikrant's mansion. Shera stood next to them, wagging his tail in anticipation of the walk that had been promised some time back.

Noting his king's brooding expression, Krushanu tried to reassure him "Don't worry, Thakur-sa will come back to some news."

Vayu muttered darkly "Let's hope it's good news. But I doubt it."

His friend spoke "You have been on edge since yesterday. Most of the day was spent in discussions with Thakur-sa and the rest replying to the missives from the administrators back in Sudhagadh. I think we should go out for a ride... or even better, for a hunt!"

"Maybe a ride later... I don't feel like a hunt today. First, I am taking Shera out for a bit and then I plan to play with the kids before lunch." Turning to the big dog, he ruffled his fur "Let's go!"

Krushanu watched the duo walk away. He knew that Shera's one-on-one time with Vayu was almost like a sacred ritual for them both. A day of relaxing will do him good... he has been especially antsy. He frowned recalling how Vayu had been, uncharacteristically, a little short with Vikrant the day before as well.

* * *

Later that day, when the sun's rays had lost most of their intensity, Vayu – accompanied by Krushanu and couple of his soldiers – rode back to the mansion after an exhilarating two-hour ride.

As he jumped off his horse and handed the reins to the stable boy, the king remarked "That felt good! Those hills are just right for a bit of exercise."

Looking at a sweat drenched Vayu, Krushanu laughed "A bit of exercise?? The poor horse is almost foaming at the mouth!" Then lowering his voice, he teased "There are other ways to burn off excess energy... maybe we should pay Chandrika Bai another visit after all!"

Vayu froze, wondering how Krushanu had managed to guess the nature of the conflict brewing inside him.

Since he had seen her, two days back, the vision of the girl with mismatched jhumkas had sprung to his mind numerous times. It felt like her couple of angry tears had multiplied and now coursed through his veins.

Every time he recalled his uncle's grip on her hand, he had been filled with an illogical resentment. At the same time, he wondered about the reason for her ire. Surely this sort of treatment shouldn't be new to her. Why had a simple handhold provoked such a strong reaction?

He had almost snapped at Mama-sa a couple of times the previous day. Luckily, attributing it to his nephew's nerves, Vikrant had overlooked his behaviour.

Oblivious of who really occupied Vayu's thoughts, Krushanu winked "Without Mama-sa hogging all her attention, I am sure Urvashi will be more than happy to oblige you. She sure is pretty! And the way she moves-"

"Order for the carriage to be kept ready. We will leave for the south bank after nightfall." Vayu announced to a shocked Krushanu, who asked uncertainly "You mean, we are really going back to Chandrika Bai's??"

"Yes." Vayu did not elaborate and headed inside.

Not expecting this outcome, Krushanu stood musing on how he had managed to miss his friend's interest in Urvashi. No... Vayu barely paid her any attention... It must be that other dancer. I think she was Mohini?? Well, either way, I can look forward to a fun night!

* * *

The mehfil was already in progress when a servant scurried to Chandrika's side and shared "The Raja-sa from the other evening is here." Rushing to her feet, Chandrika asked uncertainly "Vayu Pratap Singh??" The servant nodded "Yes, he has arrived in Thakur-sa's carriage."

Vayu was received with much reverence. As she led him indoors, Chandrika enquired "I hope Thakur-sa has safely set out on his travel as planned?"

The young king nodded "Yes, he set out this morning."

The hostess expressed her gratitude "Raja-sa, I am delighted that you decided to revisit us even during Thakur-sa's absence."

Seated in the area reserved for Thakur-sa, Vayu was soon sipping on the madira and watching the performers. Over the next few performances, Krushanu tried in vain to determine which dancer had caught his friend's eye.

About an hour into their visit, Chandrika had established that none of the performers were captivating the young king. After noticing that his gaze immediately oscillated towards the doorway leading inside every time a server entered the hall, she sent a missive inside with some very specific instructions.

It was another twenty minutes before Hari finally stepped into the hall carrying the brass plate of Paan. To Chandrika's annoyance, the girl – though much more presentable than two nights back – was still attired in a black lehenga. Thankfully, she had taken the effort to neatly comb and braid her hair, and hence hadn't drawn the odhani over her head. Her eyes were lined with kajal, and a few white flowers had been stuck at the top of her plait.

Noticing Vayu's eyes light up at her sight, Chandrika knew her arrow had struck its target. Though the young man managed to keep his expression neutral, his constant gaze on Hari was enough to ease Chandrika's apprehensions of the last couple of days. My gamble might pay off after all!

To Chandrika's surprise, a worried looking Kanta, carrying a tray with few goblets of water in one hand and a brass Pikdani in the other, was following Hari.

Vayu watched the Paan serving girl walk his way. She did not seem to deliberately exaggerate the movements of her hips, but there was enough natural sway to emphasise her feminine form. Though her head was uncovered, the odhani was draped around her and secured with a brass kamarbandh.

"Khamma Ghani, Raja-sa." Vayu nodded, when the girl greeted as she stopped in front of him.

Without any further ceremony, bowing slightly, she forwarded the plate and asked "Paan??"

As she drew closer, he noticed the honey warmth of her eyes highlighted by the jet black kajal applied today. There were no tears glistening in her eyes. And the anger of the previous time had been replaced with something akin to mischief. The pimple on her chin had faded into a tiny blemish.

As seconds ticked by, Hari's patience started dwindling. For how long I am supposed to bend like this?! And why does he stare so?? The performers are at the front of the room!

But then recalling something, she spoke extra sweetly "Raja-sa, Paan?? I made them especially for you."

A goofy thought lit up his heart – Especially for me?? So, I have been on her mind too... And then his head smirked – You are a king! What's the big deal about charming a Paanwali?

Trying to appear nonchalant, he muttered a "Thanks".

As he picked a Paan, the corners of Hari's lips twitched whilst she waited for him to chew the Betel leaf.

Vayu almost choked as the overload of salt assaulted his taste buds.

Kanta immediately forwarded the Pikdani she had brought along, just in anticipation of this event!

As Vayu spit the barely chewed Paan in the brass spitting bowl, Chandrika asked sounding alarmed "Raja-sa! Are you alright?"

Krushanu quickly grabbed some water from the tray and offered it to his king. Vayu took a big mouthful, but instead of drinking it used it to gargle and spit the water as well.

"What happened Raja-sa? Is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Chandrika's anxiously enquired.

Instead of replying, Vayu just glared at the girl who stood in front of him with a defiant look in her eyes.

Hari's initial burst of overconfidence started shrinking under his hardened gaze. But digging in her heels, she spoke feigning innocence "But Raja-sa, didn't you say you like your Paan salty?"

"Salty Paan?? Are you both out of your minds?!" Chandrika's voice came out scratchy and feeble.

Not wanting to bear the brunt of Bai-sa's anger, Kanta immediately stuttered "Bai-sa... I told her... nobody likes salt in their Paan... but she insisted..."

"Raja-sa told me he likes it that way." Hari persisted.

Is she really this headstrong? Or just foolish? Vayu wondered at the audacity of the girl in front of him. He was sure Chandrika would punish this act in her own way, but he couldn't let her off the hook for this impertinent behaviour just like that either.

"Not today. Today, I would like a sweet Paan." He stated, looking the girl squarely in the eye.

Astoundingly, her gaze did not waver as she asked "Do your likes change every day? That sounds more like a whim than a like."

He countered "When one is a king, he can afford to change his likes like whims." Then after few seconds of drawn-out silence, he added in a calm but commanding tone "So, get me a sweet Paan."

An aghast Chandrika finally found her voice again. "Harinakshi! Go inside this very second and get Raja-sa a sweet Paan.".

Internally the poor woman cursed herself - Why in the world did I think bringing her in front of a king would be a good idea? Bhagwanji, please don't let him act rashly!

Harinakshi... Do the serving girls here take stage names too?? Vayu wondered thinking of her beautiful eyes as she walked back inside.

All the patrons in the hall had deduced that the girl had done something to displease the Raja of Sudhagadh. An excited murmur ran through the crowd, and as Hari headed inside, she could feel all their eyes on her.

By the time she reached inside, she too had started questioning her own stupidity. Maybe I did take this a bit too far... I just wanted to make a point to Bai-sa, that I don't want her summoning me to serve any Rajas or Thakurs! Bai-sa is going to be so mad at me! I am sure she will send me away tomorrow morning itself. And that too forever!

Then her thoughts turned to the man she had offended - And what will Raja-sa do? He looked very angry too! But it was just a small prank... with a little salt. It's not like I tried to feed him poison. He doesn't have any sense of humour! What a rude man...

This time, Hari carefully added all the correct ingredients and that too in the right amounts as she made a new batch of Paans.

As she returned, Vayu intently watched her face trying to read her expressions. She looks more annoyed than apologetic... still not sorry for that stunt!

He tasted a Paan, but after a few bites signalled for the Pikdani. Hari watched in confusion as he spit out a perfectly good Paan.

When Chandrika asked anxiously "Raja-sa, what's wrong now?" He responded, "This isn't sweet enough."

Then he firmly addressed Harinakshi "Go, get me another."

A glare from Chandrika effectively thwarted any objections that were likely to appear on Hari's lips and she rushed back inside.

When she marched back out with another plate of sweeter Paan, Vayu tasted one and chewed it for a bit longer than the last time, but then gestured for the Pikdani again!

His verdict was "This one is too sweet."

Though she stayed silent, Harinakshi's instinctive slight huff was enough to draw a sharp look from Vayu.

Keen to squash any further friction, Chandrika started to get up "Raja-sa, I will go make you a Paan myself."

"I am no longer in the mood for a Paan." Vayu immediately shook his head at her.

A moment later, he continued "Chandrika Bai, doing the chores for your help is not the best way to teach them the job." Nodding in Harinakshi's direction, he added "Especially someone so reluctant to learn."

Harinakshi's chest puffed in indignation. What does he think of himself? Acting like he is the Emperor of the Bharatvarsha! Raja of Sudhagadh... a small kingdom stuck in between Mandigadh and Panchagadh. Were it not for their river port, what would they have?!

The young king carefully watched Harinakshi duelling with her mutinous thoughts. He eagerly waited to see if she would invite more trouble by expressing any of them. His mind predicted - She will start fires wherever she goes with that rebellious spirit of hers...

Little did he know that she had already lit a spark in his soul. And all it takes for a small spark to spread into a raging fire is a burst of strong wind! Vayu.

The wordless battle of wills was temporarily put on hold, when Chandrika, sounding contrite, uttered "Raja-sa, I apologise for the unsatisfactory service. Please don't mind her. She is new here. In fact, I will make sure that she doesn't step into this hall to serve anybody ever again!"

"Harinakshi, take the plate of Paans inside. Now." She ordered brusquely.

At least I got the desired outcome. No more parades in the hall! Hari fought to hide her sense of achievement, as she bowed to Vayu "Khamma-Ghani Raja-sa."

This time, as Harinakshi made her way out of the hall, the tongues in the audience wagged louder and some expressed their hope to be served Paan by this plucky girl. Inciting the passions of a room full of men had not been the hoped-for outcome. And it greatly irked her!

The sound of Hari banging the brass plate on a table as soon as she exited the hall drained all the colour off Chandrika's face. She mumbled unconvincingly "She must have dropped the plate out of fear... the poor girl is not used to serving guests of your stature."

But it only brought a determined gleam to Vayu's eyes.

"Chandrika Bai, giving up on something or someone after one failure is not the key to success. Practice is. Get her to practice all day tomorrow. And in the evening, I will decide if she is getting any better." he declared nonchalantly and then turned his focus to the entertainers.

If Chandrika was surprised by this declaration, Krushanu was doubly so!

Though to the hostess's relief, the king seemed to enjoy the performance more than the previous visit. In fact, going by the slightly smug smile that barely left his face, Urvashi was convinced that she had managed to snare another prey in her magical net.

At the end of the night, as they undertook the boat journey back to the north bank, Krushanu enquired "Did you really mean it? That we would revisit them again tomorrow?"

"Aren't you always complaining that we hardly do anything fun these days? So, have some fun while we are here." Vayu shrugged.

Sounding bemused, Krushanu remarked "Poor Chandrika Bai... at one point I thought she might faint! And why were you toying with that girl serving Paan?"

Vayu simply shrugged "She amuses me. And I am in the mood for some fun too."

* * *

(Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all keeping well and enjoyed the sparks starting to fly between Harinakshi and Vayu.

A big thanks to the super talented @Superb_Giggles for the brilliant cover created for this book. I am absolutely loving it!

Take care of yourself.

Lots of love, May)