As the bullock cart rumbled along, Harinakshi unseeingly gazed at the fast-disappearing familiar landscape. It reminded her of another journey undertaken few years back, when she had fled her village with Chandra. That too had been fraught with the pain of loss and uncertainty.

Earlier that day, the promised Sola Shringar had arrived from the King of Sudhagadh. But all the habitants, who had eagerly flocked to admire it, had stood around dumbfounded.

The king had sent everything expected; bindi, flowers for the hair, kajal, henna, perfume, sandal wood paste, necklace, earrings, nose ring, finger ring, bangles, armlets, waistband, anklets, toe-rings, the upper garment, and lower garment.

But it was still unexpected. The clothes were mostly black and rather plain. And all the jewellery was made of silver. Not one item of gold, nor a single pearl or precious gem.

Chandrika had fretted aloud "What does this mean?? This has got to be a mistake... how can he send this?!"

Though Hari had experienced a swift wave of disappointment, she had recovered quickly. "It's no mistake Bai-sa. He wants to point out my worth, according to him." Then she had scoffed "But he doesn't know me. I don't care for all that finery anyway. So, if his intent is to cause me any pain, he has failed."

Sounding deflated, Chandrika had muttered "Well, it is what I had asked for. The message says we are to bring you to his encampment outside Chandanpur before dusk. I will ask someone to oversee the mehfil today. Let's leave-"

Hari had objected "No Bai-sa. Please don't accompany me. I don't want to fall weak in front of him and which is exactly what will happen when I have to bid you goodbye."

Which is why, after bidding her adoptive family a tearful farewell, a puffy eyed Harinakshi was now traveling to the camp accompanied by just Kanta, Kaka and the bullock cart driver.

Her heart clenched remembering Chandrika standing at the gate of the haveli sobbing inconsolably. Kaki and few others had stood wiping both their and Chandrika's tears. Manjusha had glumly waved from the balcony. Even Urvashi had been sniffling in the background, though Hari wasn't sure why. Maybe she was lamenting her own missed chance rather than Hari's Bidaai.

Through all of Chandrika's tears, Hari had caught glimpses of some fear and anxiety that the older woman had strived to hide from her. She knew the Shringar sent by Raja-sa had deeply affected Chandrika. It had burst her bubble filled with dreams and hopes of a love-filled, pampered future for Hari.

Whilst his behaviour had not deeply hurt her, it had unsettled Harinakshi too.

Unwittingly, she wondered what awaited her at the camp. As she recalled the angry man who had been marching in the rain under her window couple of nights back, she mused- Is he impatiently pacing now too? Is he planning to punish me? Or is he eager to take what he was denied that night? And what after he has satisfied his whim?

Trying to boost her self-confidence, she decided – He can possess my body but not my soul. And I will never surrender my heart!

When she caught the first glimpse of the camp, consisting of about twenty odd tents, it was shrouded in dim twilight. A few spirals of smoke were rising from the bonfires lit around.

The arrival of the cart drew many curious glances from the campers. Krushanu, who had been in discussions with the platoon commander, was one of them. He watched Harinakshi, followed by another young woman, climb out. She stood looking around, not sure what to do next. An older man who had been sitting next to the driver said something to the women and they entered the camp.

As Krushanu walked in their direction, the old man, apparently recognizing him, hesitantly uttered "Ram Ram... we are here to drop off Harinakshi... is Raja-sa free to see us?"

"Raja-sa is currently away and is expected to return by nightfall. But you need not wait. A tent has been set up for her. Just leave her and her luggage in there, and then you are free to go." Krushanu briskly instructed.

Harinakshi spoke up "Bai-sa has sent Kanta with me. She will accompany me from here on. Please ask someone to arrange for her to share my tent."

She has arrived with an attendant?? Krushanu was momentarily gobsmacked.

Attired in the clothes and accessories he had sent earlier in the day as per Vayu's instructions, she didn't look very different than usual. But she had drawn the odhani over her head and wore a big hoop nose ring.

Not sure what else to say, he muttered as he started to return to his duties "I will have another sleeping mat sent."

He had taken a step, when she called out "And please ask a couple of your men to help with the unloading. Kaka will need some assistance, and it will be good if the cart can return to Chandanpur before it gets too dark."

Issuing instructions to a couple of soldiers in the vicinity, Krushanu re-joined the commander. Over the next fifteen minutes or so, he observed Harinakshi overseeing the transfer of several baskets, boxes and bundles. Krushanu wondered – So much luggage?? What has she brought over? Even I, the king's right hand, travel much lighter than that!

Once the unloading was completed, he saw the old man wipe away a few tears and pat Harinakshi's head. She in turn bent forward and sought his blessings. And then she stood stroking the bullocks, seemingly talking to them.

After waving goodbye, Hari stood awhile gazing at the departing cart. Bhanu Kaka had been the closest she had come to finding a caring fatherly figure. Though she did not hold many men in high regard, the elder man was an exception. Though she had known him only for a year or so, he had earned her affection. Hari quickly wiped away a couple of tears and then both the women returned to their tent.

When Vayu returned from visiting a feudal lord who lived close by, Krushanu immediately informed him "Raja-sa, she has arrived and is resting in her tent. Would you like to send for her later tonight?"

As a shiver of anticipation ran up his spine, Vayu shook his head "No, we have a very early start tomorrow and need to get some good rest. Just inform her to be ready to leave at dawn."

Krushanu nodded "I will let them know." Sounding confused, Vayu asked "Them??" but was even some perplexed when Krushanu informed him that Chandrika Bai had sent another young woman along too.

Flabbergasted, he wondered - She has sent two women... Did she think the silver jewellery was too much in lieu of Harinakshi?? If Chandrika felt the need to send another woman along to sweeten the deal, just how much trouble is this girl going to be?!

Then remembering that even his pearls had not been deemed worthy of her, he quickly dismissed these doubts.

Yet, there was a dilemma that had been wrestling in the back of his mind since the moment he had ordered Krushanu to send his word of acceptance to Chandrika. She is just a girl... one I barely know... so why this insane need to make her a part of my life? Have I been too impulsive?? Or just plain mad?!

There are times in a person's life when reckless decisions are made in a moment of madness. This madness can be born out of love, desire, ego, anger, revenge, fear or some such strong feeling. But sometimes these moments are just an instrument of destiny, and only time can tell where or what this madness leads to.

Back in her tent, Harinakshi was immensely relieved to hear that Raja-sa did not plan to summon her that night.

After a light meal in their tent, both the women waited for sleep to arrive.

Not used to early morning starts, they groggily stumbled though the morning rituals. Then after loading all the baggage, they boarded the covered bullock cart assigned to them. Hari napped for most of the way till their entourage stopped for lunch.

After alighting from the cart, Hari looked around taking in surroundings and details of her travelling companions. They had stopped near an open area that gently slopped towards a small lake. The platoon seemed to consist of close to a hundred men, twenty horses and a similar number of bullock carts. But there weren't any other women amongst the group.

She spotted Vayu at some distance talking to some of the soldiers. Though he glanced her way a few times, he did not approach her.

Kanta nervously muttered "Should we go greet him?? Or maybe you should..."

After deliberating on the advice Chandrika had imparted, Harinakshi disagreed "No. He must be busy. And Bai-sa said to go only when he calls for me."

After checking with a man who seemed to be supervising the activities, both the women ventured in the nearby bushes to answer nature's call. On their return they noticed that a few fires had been lit. A man assisted by two young lads was distributing some flour and men were lining up in front of him to collect their rations.

As they stood uncertainly for a bit, the supervisor approached "We won't be waiting here for long. Collect some rations and fix yourself a quick lunch. When we camp for the night, the cooks will prepare a proper meal."

As soon as the man left, Kanta spoke "I will go refill our water-bags from the lake, you go collect the supplies for us and then see if you can find us a fire to cook."

Accepting her suggestion, Hari first joined the queue for the rations and then the one for the cooking fire.

The men around curiously glanced at the young women who had joined them, especially the pretty one. Speculation followed – Some said she was the king's woman but others, taking in her attire, scoffed at the idea. Some suggested she had probably been employed to perform some sort of entertainment for the platoon, while many hoped she was there to help the cook and make their meals more tolerable.

But few minutes later, their last notion was squashed when they saw Hari struggling to cook a flatbread over the open fire.

Laughing internally, Krushanu watched the girl. Her eyes smarting from the smoke, she was glaring at the half burnt and half uncooked flatbread in her hand.

Strolling over, he remarked "Don't tell me you can't even cook!" Sounding annoyed, she muttered "And can you?? I don't see you cooking your meal either!"

He grinned at her outburst "I can, just like every soldier trained for survival! But I don't have to. Being the king's right hand has its privileges."

Just then Kanta rushed over "I had to walk further than I expected. The closest bank is very mossy. Leave it. I asked you to just collect the rations, not burn them!"

Hari handed over the remaining dough to Kanta. Noting that Krushanu was still observing them, she frowned at him "What??" He shook his head and walked away chuckling.

Having just finished his meal, Vayu rose from the portable cot that he had been perched on. He watched Krushanu talking to her and then walking in his direction with a big smile on his face. His heart crossly questioned – What is this idiot grinning about?!

"How much longer before we can get moving? Tell the men to stop wasting time." He sternly addressed Krushanu.

His friend nodded "We will be ready to leave soon." And then added cheerily "Maybe bringing her along wasn't such a bad idea after all. She is funny. And you should see her rotis! Just a word of caution – don't ever go to her on an empty stomach!"

Food is hardly going to be on my mind when I go to her! Vayu scoffed on the inside.

And yet, the next moment his heart warmed as the picture flashed through his mind of sharing a simple meal with her. Will she fuss over me insisting that I eat well? Will she feed me with her own hands??

* * *

Long back, when he had just turned sixteen, Vayu had gone through what was considered a rite of passage for the young males of his family. He had left the palace and travelled incognito for a fortnight. It had been probably the most exhilarating experience of his life till then.

The world outside the confines of the royal household had been an eye opener in many ways.

He had learnt the dangers of travelling without half a dozen guards constantly flanking him, seen how the common man struggled to put a meal in front of his family, and the scrawny orphans trying to get by on the scarps they managed to score.

Most of what he saw had been disheartening. But there had been some heart-warming eye openers too. The way the children ran to cling to their fathers when the men arrived home tired from toiling all day. Or how the wives visited their husbands in the fields at lunch time with parcels of freshly cooked flatbreads.

Vayu still vividly remembered a scene that he had witnessed in a farm one noon. A young farm-help demanding to be fed by his new blushing bride, and the young girl shyly feeding him pieces of rotis accompanied by some dry chutney. The young couple had looked so content and overjoyed to be with each other. Few feet away from them had been a much older couple, where the wife was serving her husband lunch as she chided him as he had forgotten to run some errands, while their three kids ran around, every now and then coming to climb on their father's back.

These glimpses into the lives of families outside the palace had felt like a punch in his gut. Where he came from, none of this happened. Children respectfully bowed to their fathers from a distance. Wives feigning a satisfied look waited for weeks and months for their husbands to visit them and meanwhile flaunted expensive jewels to seemly emphasize their place in their husband's life and heart. And the men fed up with the inner-palace politics choose to stay away in places offering respite from all that drama.

Never had he witnessed a tender moment between his parents. But that day, a yearning for something simple, gentle, and wholesome had made a place in his heart.

* * *

And this yearning from a long time ago was now garnering new life.

But then, recalling her reluctance to linger around him at the kotha, he frowned slightly and chided himself – Stop all this baseless fantasising. She is probably going to constantly scowl at you!

Vayu felt like his desires were being pulled in two directions. While he was still eager to spend time with her, there was an underlying apprehension about how she felt about this new arrangement. Is she glad to be here? Or is she a reluctant participant?? And hence, embroiled in these quandaries, he felt adrift, unable to approach her.

The commander arrived to notify them that the men were ready to get on the road.

Hari and Kanta boarded the cart again. Not wanting to risk delaying the platoon on their account, they had wrapped their flatbreads in some leaves. Once on the move, Kanta pulled out a small parcel of pickles and they nibbled on the food gazing out of the rear opening. Whenever they passed any settlements, the locals would either inquisitively line up to watch the procession or would stand defensively at a distance.

Every now and then, they talked about what all their friends back in Chandanpur might be up to. Being completely clueless about their future there wasn't much to dwell on in that area.

Sometime during the early evening, it started drizzling.

Hari and Kant were okay in a covered cart, but the soldiers on foot were wet and weary by the time they halted. The night was challenging too. At first the cook struggled to get some good fires going and then was able to just ladle out some khichadi. And then realising that sleeping in tents wouldn't be that easy anyways, it was decide that most of the people would sleep in the carts or just rest under the trees. Despite having a cart to themselves, the women had to sleep rather uncomfortably as their cart was full of too many parcels.

Of course, Vayu summoning Harinakshi that night was out of question.

* * *

Though the landscape changed a little, and sometimes they stopped near a spring or camped in an orchard, the next two days were almost a repeat of their first day on the road.

The only thing that seemed to change for Hari and Kanta was the men started eyeing them more. Kanta, who wasn't particularly pretty and a couple of years older to Hari, still had many soldiers trying to chat her up.

They seemed a little wry of Harinakshi to start with. But then, noting that their king did not engage in the slightest interaction with her, they started getting bolder in their words around her too. Though it did not necessarily intimidate her, she was greatly irritated.

Plus, there were many other things proving rather tiresome.

That night, after they had camped, Hari freshened up and then purposely marched to Vayu's tent.

"Raja-sa, the girl is here to see you." The guard had barely spoken when Hari entered the tent.

Moving forward, Krushanu immediately objected "Why are you here? Raja-sa is busy! And you are not allowed in here unless he has sent for you!"

Seeing her from close quarters for the first time since she had joined his entourage, Vayu intently gazed at her. Dressed in simple dark garments, soiled at the hem during the travel, and sturdy leather sandals on her feet, she was adorned with some silver jewellery alongside the plain dull gold ornaments that she had always worn. Just like the first time he had seen her, the odhani was drawn over her head. The kajal was slightly smudged and the bindi was a simple red dot, but her face was glowing as usual.

Eyes dark with an impatient look, she uttered bowing stiffly, "Khamma Ghani, Raja-sa. But this will just take a little while."

He nodded to Krushanu "It's okay. Let her in." Then he addressed her "Do you need anything?"

Stepping around Krushanu, she moved closer to him and started in an accusatory tone "It has been three days since I am here, and you still haven't sent for me!"

Vayu stood speechless. Whatever else he might have guessed as the reason for her arrival in his tent, he had not expected this!

His heart thumped at both, her boldness and eagerness.

Catching on the tension in the tent, the dog laying in the corner, sat up straight.

Mindless of the effect of her words, Hari continued "Do you have any idea how uncomfortable it is?! Had it not been for Bai-sa, I would have removed this myself... but she made me promise her that I will keep it on till you remove it."

"Remove what??" Vayu was clueless.

"O ho... this big nose ring! You must remove it. I can barely sleep with it on." Taking another step closer, she pointed at her left nostril "See, it is starting to get sore."

The moment she stepped too close to him, Shera growled and, ready to pounce, took his place at Vayu's side. Hari's eyes widened looking at the beast and she involuntarily let out a tiny shriek. Which in turn provided the animal the incentive to bare his teeth and growl louder.

Impatiently ordering the animal "Shera, down." Vayu returned his focus to the problem at hand. Her nose had indeed reddened.

A little flustered, Krushanu muttered "Raja-sa, maybe you need some privacy..."

After sensing her pain, the idea of refusing her the help she had appealed for never crossed his mind. Extending his hand, Vayu responded gruffly "Stay. As she said, it will just take a moment."

But Harinakshi objected "Wait! I must first comply with all of Bai-sa's instructions." Walking towards the entrance, she grumbled "And Bai-sa is very particular about people following her instructions! Once she made Bala wash the storeroom all over again as he has forgotten to add the neem leaves to the water."

Standing at the entrance, she called out "Bring it in."

Both Vayu and Krushanu watched in astonishment as Kanta and a few other soldiers entered the tent carrying many plates and bamboo baskets.

Taking the plate that resembled a pooja thali from Kanta, she approached Vayu. And then wordlessly forwarded her hand to apply him the tilak. The impatient anticipation in her doe-shaped eyes, had him reflexively bowing forward.

As she stood in front of him, Harinakshi fleetingly wondered how she hadn't noticed before that he towered her by close to two palm lengths. Then it dawned on her that he had always been seated during their close-up interactions so far.

Krushanu watched the scene unfolding in front of him with unease.

After the tilak, Harinakshi venerated him with the diya in her thali and sprinkled a few grains of rice and wheat on him. Then, she offered him a ladoo from another plate that Kanta was holding out for her.

Finally, Krushanu spoke up "Raja-sa can't eat anything without someone tasting it for poison."

Casting him a disbelieving glance, she took a bite of the ladoo before holding it out for Vayu again.

This time Krushanu protested "How can he eat your jhoota?!"

But then realised how ridiculous his objection had been, when Kanta loudly snickered thinking - He will be doing much more than eating her jhoota.

Hari bestowed Kanta with one of her trademark glares and then brought the sweet closer to his lips. Later, Vayu would wonder just what spell she had cast on him, but in that moment, he just opened his mouth and tasted the sweetness on offer.

Still on alert, Shera observed the proceedings. After all, safeguarding his master was his life's true mission. The fact that this woman was doing something that he had seen another woman do before, someone who did not particularly like Shera, made him eye this woman with distrust.

She gestured for the soldiers to bring the other things to the front. As the baskets and plates were uncovered and presented to the king, an array of contents like fruits, sweets, spices, dry-fruits, grains, sandalwood powder and so on were revealed.

When Vayu questioned, "What's all this??" She simply stated "Bai-sa has sent them for you."

Finally opening a small wooden box, Harinakshi gazed at the contents with an inscrutable expression for a bit and then, following a slight shake of her head, handed it to him.

Peering inside, Vayu spotted a saffron silk stole, a string of pearls and a small dagger in an exquisitely decorated sheath. It was obvious that the contents were expensive. His eyes were particularly drawn to the dagger. Picking it up, he studied the intricate engraving and the tiny gems set in it. That it was pre-loved was clear from the dull gleam of the metal and a small dent, but nonetheless it was beautiful.

Momentarily he wondered - Why has Chandrika sent such expensive gifts? Especially when I didn't send any worthy compensation for Harinakshi. What is she after if not the money?

But then his mind quickly moved on to the real implications and a deep stated feeling of tranquillity overcame him – Now, she is truly bound to me. Forever.

"There... all done. I won't have to get someone to load and unload this every day! Your men can now grumble at you all they want! Now remove this, and I will leave you to your important work." Harinakshi's words pulled him out of his musings.

Keeping an eye on the dog next to him, she stepped even closer and tilted her head sideways to make it easier for him to remove the nose ring. Up close, Vayu could see that the area around the nose piercing looked like it had started reddening.

Handing the wooden box to a servant, Vayu set about the task of removing the nose ring. Having never tackled this exercise before, the young man had to stop many times as she squeaked and winced with discomfort.

When she complained yet again "It hurts... be gentle..." he asked exasperated "Why have you worn this if it's so uncomfortable?! I don't understand why you women choose to torture yourselves in the name of beauty."

"I didn't want to... But Bai-sa said, I had to..." she lamented.

Mixing some of the turmeric and oil from the pooja thali, Kanta quickly applied it to Hari's nose "There... now it should slip off easily."

When he tried again, his gaze lingered on her lips. The large ring laying over part of her lips, seemed almost like a window promising access to some undiscovered treasure. When his fingers accidently brushed against them for the first time, her lips parted slightly of their own accord.

Both felt like every touch before this had been irrelevant.

For some time, the world around them ceased to exist. The people around diverted their eyes, mindful that this should have been a very private moment.

The moment the ring came off, Harinakshi blinked a few times and then huffed "Never am I going to wear this dreadful contraption again! Why couldn't you send a simple smaller one? All those times we met... did you ever see me wearing anything so ridiculous?"

Suddenly it dawned on him, that it had been part of the Shringar sent for her.

Gingerly rubbing her nose, she muttered "Raja-sa, thank you for receiving me. Please carry on with your work."

Then recalling something, her eyes sparkled "But before that, there is something for you. Just from me!"

The thought that she had particularly got him a gift, delighted him.

Picking up a small brass bowl, she uncovered it with a flourish to reveal a single Paan "And before you say that you are not in the mood... let me remind you that you have given me your word."

It is this very demand, which made it impossible for me to walk away from you! All these years of negotiations, treaties, and agreements... but never have I come across something so outrageous and yet totally irresistible.

His lips twitching in humour, Vayu picked it up. But before popping it into his mouth his eyes involuntarily drifted towards Kanta to check if she was ready with the pikdani. To his relief it seemed the woman with Harinakshi had not deemed the Paan inedible.

Harinakshi stood staring at him expectantly, as he chewed it a couple of times. Then he stopped and frowned. There was a whole cardamom pod in there. Recalling the several occasions when he had insisted that she shell the little pods and separate each individual seed before adding to his Paan, Vayu realised that this was pay back for all that torture.

Reading his mind, she reminded him smiling wider "You have to finish it without complaining!"

Swallowing the Paan in a hurry, Vayu gestured to the servant for water. As he guzzled a glass-full, she flashed him a triumphant smile "And now, I shall take your leave."

Casting one last inquisitive look at Shera, she turned away.

Slightly dazed, Vayu watched her sashay out of his tent. He, who had always prided himself on being like the wind, left like she had once again knocked the wind out of him!

For the first time in years, Vayu's heart was experiencing a joyous lightness that seemed to have vanished from his life. Her twinkling eyes and impish smile had the power to shine through the haze of his resentments and fears of inadequacy.

Krushanu's hands grew clammy. How did this happen? And on my watch?

Essentially, Vayu and Harinakshi had just completed the Tilak, Haldi and Nath Utarna ceremonies in front of Krushanu and few others. He had accepted the Katar presented by her, thereby promising her lifelong protection. In some tribes, this bare-bones ritual was all that was needed to tie a man and women in holy matrimony.

Forever. I will send Harinakshi to him only if he promises to never leave her. And tell him I demand 'Sola Shringhar' for her. Chandrika's words echoed in Krushanu's mind.

Chandrika Bai's demand made complete sense to Krushanu - That is after all what the groom is supposed to send for the bride as part of the pre-wedding rituals. It was never about the value of the jewels, but what they would represent. But why did Chandrika Bai go to such extents for a mere serving girl in her household?

He experienced a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach - Irrespective of whether Vayu ever openly acknowledges her as his wife or not, the ritual has been completed. But now, I must ensure this news never reaches Rajmata-sa and the Raja of Udaygadh.

* * *

(So, are you all happy with this part?? 😊

I felt almost evil not replying on the last part clarifying that they will get married. But what's the fun in giving away plot twists, right? 

Even though it is a simple no-frills wedding, and they did not exchange lots of loving shy looks... it is done!

I have tried to present the commonplace customs followed in those times, as per my understanding. But it might not be an accurate representation. So please allow me some creative leeway.

I had promised even earlier that Harinakshi is a very strong heroine. She will not put up with anything derogatory and will command dignity. So, stay calm and enjoy the story! 😉

Lots of love, May

PS: Just a small extract from a book about the practice of concubinage followed in the Early Modern Rajput Household of Marwar included below about the Chura Ceremony - Once a ruler declared a female as his concubine, she was normally accorded with the status in an initiation ceremony. At the ceremony, every new concubine was provided with a chura (ivory bangles) which indicated their conjugally oriented status (chura being a marker of marital status in Rajasthan). To mark their distinct (and inferior) conjugality from that established with the ranis (queens), the names of the concubines were customarily prefixed with the title of pardayat or paswan.

Take care all of you!)