The next evening, Chandrika was in a state of turmoil. She had been constantly wondering if Vayu really planned to return that evening. And if he does, will he actually expect Hari to serve an improved version of that cursed Paan?!

A better part of her day had been spent lecturing the girl on her folly of the previous evening, but she wasn't convinced that Hari had taken any of it to heart. Yes, she had hoped that Hari would catch the king's eye, but not like this. Though she knew the girl's stubborn streak all too well, she hadn't expected her to almost challenge the young king to a duel!

Now, her only hope was that the young king had a wandering eye and someone else would soon catch his fancy. She shuddered to think what would happen if the king left Chandanpur perturbed and poisoned Vikrant's mind against them. Setting up this roof over their heads hadn't been easy and most of their assets had been invested in it. Also, along with securing Harinakshi's future, she now felt responsible for many others who had sought refuge in her household. Vikrant's continued patronage and protection were a necessity.

So, when the servant rushed in to inform her of Raja-sa's arrival, Chandrika initially struggled to find the strength to get to her feet to welcome him. But certain rituals had to followed irrespective of her predicaments. Hence, Vayu was graciously greeted, seated, and treated as befitted his station.

For some time, Vayu attempted to enjoy the entertainment, but he was impatient for the Paan to be brought out.

When she had not appeared even an hour into his visit, he said something to Krushanu, who in turn conveyed the message to Chandrika "Raja-sa wishes to partake some Paan."

As the hostess hastily instructed a servant to bring out the betel leaves, Vayu addressed her "And send for Harinakshi. She must be eager to show us her improved skills, right?"

The older woman smiled nervously, mumbling "Of course, Raja-sa.", as she bemoaned on the inside - Hey Bhagwan... he already remembers her name!

Few minutes later, Vayu watched Harinakshi approach, dressed in a deep maroon lehenga. Her lips looked rosier even from afar. The thought that she had put effort into making herself presentable for him was pleasing.

But she wasn't carrying the usual brass plate. He was perplexed - She is bringing the whole Paandani over??

"Khamma-Ghani, Raja-sa." She stood in front of him carrying a decorative brass box specifically used for storing all the ingredients and tools required for making Paan.

"Why have you brought the Paandani outside?" a confounded Chandrika voiced the question running through Vayu's mind. She added turning to him "Raja-sa, I have personally overseen her training today..."

"Forgive me Bai-sa, but as I waited to be called out, I started thinking..." Chandrika's shoulders slumped hearing the young woman's reply – Hari and thinking... this is going to be another troublesome evening.

Seemingly deferential, Harinakshi addressed the king "Raja-sa, as Bai-sa has informed you, and you can most certainly see, I did spend the day trying to perfect my skills."

Seeing her up-close, Vayu realised that the colour on her lips wasn't from anything artificial applied to beautify her lips, but the orange stains from many Paans consumed over the day.

Though she was clearly referring only to the art of making Paans, in that moment, the back of his neck flushed as Vayu suddenly wondered - What else is she skilled in?

There was an air of innocence about her, but it was hard to believe that one would be able to preserve it in a place like this. This contradiction further aroused his curiosity.

Oblivious of his thoughts and looking very pleased with herself, Harinakshi smiled at him "Raja-sa, so as I was saying, while awaiting your summons, it suddenly dawned on me that I have spent the day trying to perfect the Paan to Bai-sa's taste! But what would be the point of serving you something as per someone else's taste?? After all, your likes are hardly going to be the same as hers, right?"

Settling down on the carpet in front of him, she added with twinkling eyes," So, I decided to bring the Paandani out and make the Paan as per your preference! Now, you can tell me just what you like, and I will do exactly that."

Now let's see how you can find faults with my Paan... One Paan as per your instructions and I will be out of here! Hari felt smug at her cleverly contrived plan.

His pupils widened. Surely, she knows what she is implying... Right??

But her actions did not confirm his hypothesis.

Harinakshi opened the Paandani, and picking up a betel leaf asked him "So, what would you like today?"

The performance at the front of the room was forgotten as Krushanu raptly watched the drama unfolding next to him. He had finally deduced that this serving girl, seated across, more than amused his king!

"Your keenness to learn my likes pleases me." Vayu's statement resulted in an amused glint in Krushanu's eyes, an ambiguity in Chandrika's gut and a cheerful smile on Harinakshi's face.

At least now, Bai-sa will not have any complaints against me! She decided and asked "So??"

His eyes narrowed in confusion "So, what??"

She impatiently tutted "O ho... so what would you like in your Paan? And how much?"

For a moment he wondered at her sudden eagerness to be so accommodating of his likes, and then her underlying motive dawned on him. Hmmm... so the doe is eager to sprint away... Well, there is no escaping me. You have crossed paths with an expert archer!

"I haven't missed once since I turned fifteen." His chest puffed and the words slipped out before he knew.

Her brow creased in confusion "What??" and then she inferred "Oh... so you have been eating Paan every day since fifteen."

Why is he sounding like eating Paan every day is praiseworthy?? Winning wars, building forts, or digging new wells in the villages, signing trade treaties... all these are understandable. As she scoped a small dollop of Chuna; slacked lime paste, she added sounding unconvinced "But, this doesn't seem like a habit worthy of pride in a King."

He muttered incredulously "Who takes pride in eating Paan?" Then eyeing her, he thought - God, is she so dense?? His mind countered – What more are you expecting from a Paanwali? And one, who is not even particularly good at her job!

"Well, considering you are so particular about it... I thought, you might." She pouted slightly.

Listening on their seemingly nonsensical conversation, Krushanu chuckled.

Suddenly mindful of the circumstances, Harinakshi decided to focus on the job at hand. "So, should I put so much Chuna?" she asked Vayu.

Does it look like I would know how much Chuna to apply? Why would I have ever made a Paan?? I am a bloody king! She does say the most idiotic things! He fumed internally for a moment but then he gulped slightly, musing further - But those lips... so perfectly shaped and proportional. She does have a lovely smile. And her pearly whites... For a lowly help, she seems to be rather particular about her hygiene. Good.

"So, how much?!" she was impatiently starting at him.

He replied vaguely "Start making it as you usually do... I will correct you as required."

Chandrika let out a sigh of relief. This is going better than I expected. Bhagwanji, please let this evening finish without any arguments, and I will offer pedhas tomorrow!

But the evening was just getting started.

When she stopped applying the Chuna, Vayu muttered "A little more..." and then rebuked a moment later "That's too much! Leave that one. And use a new leaf."

His instructions, at times for more of some ingredient and then for less of the same, continued for long. Sometimes, he remarked that she hadn't chopped the betel nut finely enough and at others complained that it was almost crumbling.

On few occasions, by the time everything had been added to the Paan in the perfect proportions, as per him, the contents were too abundant for Harinakshi to fold the Paan!

He would just shake his head and state "Leave it. Start another."

After watching their little charade for a while, Chandrika turned her attention to her other guests. It was clear the king had no intention of tasting a Paan that evening. His only agenda was to test Harinakshi's patience!

Every time Krushanu snickered or scoffed, he earned himself a deadly glare from Vayu which effectively silenced him for a little while, at least.

Though the king hardly paid them any heed, the performers earned sporadic praise and coins from him. His benevolence towards the artists grew whenever he was especially delighted seeing a very frustrated Harinakshi vehemently apply the Chuna or Katha, or violently chop the betel nuts!

As she added another Paan to the discarded heap, Harinakshi grumbled "Raja-sa, what you really need is a royal Paan-maker, trained to make it just as per your taste! And then take this person everywhere with you. I am sure it will save a lot of people much time and effort!"

He responded with a thoughtful expression "This must be the first sensible thing I have heard you say, since we met."

Does he mean to imply I have been sprouting nonsense all this time?! She tore the new leaf in her hand and threw it too. And then added in clearly fake apologetic tone "Tch tch tch... I didn't mean to tear that. But don't worry, I will start on a new one."

Krushanu leaned closer and whispered "Raja-sa, I don't know about a royal Paan-maker... but seeing your need to be amused, maybe be I should start searching for a royal jester!"

As Vayu smirked at him, Krushanu added "But maybe I don't need to search... she is already doing a good job of it!"

At the end of the night, Krushanu had no doubts that they would be returning to the south bank every evening while in Chandanpur.

Though Chandrika had been worried to see Hari step outside with the Paandani, in the end, the evening had progressed better than she had anticipated. Vayu had been in a good mood and rather generous too. Krushanu had distributed bags of coins to all the performers and handed some coins to the serving staff too.

All but one. Even after spending hours trying to perfect the Paan as per Vayu's specifications, while he unabashedly gazed at her, Harinakshi had not been tipped.

After much speculation, Chandrika still could not decide what exactly young king was after. Maybe he is just after some comic relief... After all, men come here to fulfil various needs. Does Hari fascinate him? Or just amuse him??

* * *

The next evening was pretty much a repeat of the previous one. Only difference being Vayu called for the Paan much sooner after his arrival.

Having spent most of the day praying for the fortitude to face the torture that the evening seemed to be destined to bring her way, Harinakshi stepped into the hall carrying the Paandani.

"Khamma Ghani, Raja-sa." She settled on the same spot as the evening before. As he acknowledged her with a slight nod, she enquired "What type of Paan would please your majesty this evening?" Taking a pause, she added cheekily "And would you like to eat one today? Or just oversee my training again?"

Vayu controlled the urge to burst into laughter. But also thought with admiration - She is spunky! Had she been a lad, I would have offered her a commission in my army.

He replied straight faced, "Start with a sweet one today... and then let's see where the night takes us."

She blinked rapidly trying to decide if his words were laced with a double meaning. And then tried to open the Paandani with fumbling fingers.

Vayu's eyes darkened noticing the heat creeping up her face. It was satisfying to see that he could turn her into a bundle of nerves with just a few loaded words.

Sometime later, after many betel leaves had once again been sacrificed in pursuit of his majesty's pleasure, a harassed looking Harinakshi pushed the Paandani aside and protested "Please don't ask me to make another one! Anything, but this!"

His lips twitched, as he drawled "So, are you good at anything? Or do you perform all your jobs just as badly??"

Extremely annoyed, she retorted "Suraj and Balaram are very happy to eat whatever I feed them! It's just you, who is so hard to please."

Not realising that she was referring to the two bullocks they owned, Vayu drew his own conclusions. He ridiculed himself - Did you think that you are the first man she has tried to entice with her act of innocence?!

Jaws clenching, he spat out "You are excused."

Not believing her ears, Hari stared at him for a few moments and then scrambled to her feet. Saying a hasty goodbye,  she rushed away, before he decided to change his mind and demand for another Paan.

During the next break in the performances, few of the other patrons came over to greet him and enquire about Thakur-sa's wellbeing and expected return to Chandanpur. 

Though Vayu made some idle chit-chat for a while as he tried to understand if there were any useful connections to be made, his heart was not in it. 

Soon after, he stood up and announced that he was tired. Krushanu quickly handed out the tips and followed him.

* * *

(Hi Dearies,

I know this one is short, but hopefully sweet 😊

Didn't get much time to write this week but as decided am going to keep publishing what I can.

Take care all of you.

Lots of love, May)