"Keep it in the car," Sumer Singh told the guard who was lifting the bag.

Nandini thanked the hulking man courteously. She had tried to convince Sumer Singh she could carry the bag herself, but he had refused to consider it.

The guard bowed and marched away.

Nandini diffidently said, "Sumer uncle, I want to meet Uday grandpa before leaving."

"It would distress him if you didn't," Sumer Singh smiled.

Nandini felt relieved. Uday Singh was a genuinely cool-headed and endearing person. Prithvi's prolonged absence yesterday had not disturbed him apparently, and the news of last night's altercation – which had somehow spread through the palace, as evident from Kadambari's aloofness since morning - had not irked the elderly man.

"Prithvi might be in his room though," Sumer Singh added.

"Oh...would it be possible for me to speak to grandpa alone," she mumbled.

Sumer Singh didn't bat an eyelid. "Certainly," he said sympathetically, then guardedly said, "Prithvi says he had gone for a walk in the hills last evening and lost his way."

"Okay," Nandini said placidly as they started walking away from her room.

Accepting failure, Sumer Singh fell silent.

"Sumer uncle, I hope you're not upset with me."

Sumer Singh paused and looked at the pale young girl in surprise. "Upset? Nandini, you don't know what you've done for the family - and me. I know it has been very difficult for you...and I will forever be grateful. And you're not in the wrong. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty. Alright?" he said sternly, and stroked her head caringly.

Immensely touched and comforted, Nandini gave him a watery smile, and they continued on their way. Then she stopped again. In a short corridor on the left side, Kadambari was disapprovingly examining the dust embedded in the carvings on a stone pillar.

"Don't do it, Nandini," Sumer Singh warned. "That woman is waiting for a chance to show her annoyance."

"I know, but I can't leave without saying goodbye," Nandini whispered ruefully.

Kadambari continued her inspection of the complex patterns as Nandini drew nearer, and then brusquely asked, "You're leaving then?"

"Yes, aunty," Nandini said softly. "I've kept the clothes and jewellery in the wardrobe. The sandals have been placed near the door." Then she touched Kadambari's feet, and received murmured blessings. When she stood up, the older woman was scrutinising her.

Kadambari wondered at the needlessly strong ache in her chest. Surely her indignation at the ill-treatment of Prithvi was deeper than any affection she had for the girl...wasn't it...

"I was told you had two pieces of toast for breakfast," she said austerely. "That will not sustain you till lunch. And who knows what they'll serve in that house," she snorted. "I think you should eat something before leaving."

"I'm not hungry," Nandini said in a small voice.

"Alright. Who am I to force you?" Kadambari sniffed. "Be safe. Don't be careless there. Lock the doors to your room at night and – and you've carried your phone, haven't you?"

"It's in the bag."

Kadambari eyed her beadily. "You should keep the phone with you, not include it in your luggage."

"I'll remember...next time," Nandini smiled. "I'm happy I could meet you. Thank you for everything you've done for me."

Moisture glazed Kadambari's eyes without warning. "Prithvi had asked me to look after you and ensure you didn't lack for anything. He cares so much... Can't you forgive him for a harmless mistake? It wasn't his fault. He lost his way in the hills. You cannot blame him for that."

A gamut of emotions made Nandini's stomach clench. She dropped her damp gaze, and huskily said, "I'm not angry about - yesterday. I'm going because I have to."

"Then you'll talk to him?" Kadambari implored. "If not now, then after you reach the other house?"

Feeling incapable of giving an honest response, Nandini moved ahead and embraced the emotional woman. Kadambari hugged her back tightly, convinced that her request had been accepted. Her eyes were filling up again, and the feeling of loss was intensifying. Why had she wasted so much time in being surly and distant...

Nandini drew back and smiled faintly, then she walked back to Sumer Singh.

"She didn't say anything bad, did she?" Sumer Singh asked distrustfully as Nandini wiped her tears.

"Not at all, she was really sweet," Nandini said earnestly as they resumed the journey to Uday Singh's suite.

That is a testimony to your nature, not hers, Sumer Singh thought critically. Aloud, he said, "I think we'll reach Mrs Bhargava's house in less than an hour even if the traffic is bad."

"Okay," Nandini smiled. She had spoken to the writer twice after waking up, and the poor lady had sounded very pleased and relieved. She too would feel better on reaching Mrs Bhargava's house. At least her beleaguered conscience would get some respite with the end of this shameless deception. She clung to those positive thoughts and hoped they wouldn't desert her for a while.

But the longer it took to leave the palace, the more susceptible she would become to debilitating thoughts and feelings. As it was, the shield of rage had thinned since last night, Nandini thought, feeling abnormally tired and weak. In the middle of the night, she had woken up and fumbled in the dark for the roses on the bedstand. Then she had lied back down, clutching the flowers...crying helplessly till sleep had provided relief...

On waking up, her first act had been to take a few invaluable objects from the wardrobe and keep them in the bag. And in the self-imposed rush to get ready, she'd forgotten to put the roses back on the bedstand.

The smallest of those flowers had been sacrificed for a meaningless gesture.

The thought triggered only a flicker of antagonism. She tried recalling the angry disbelief of finding Prithvi in her room in the morning. That too didn't help, apart from making her feel extremely thankful that she had stuck to the childhood habit of not coming out of the bathroom until she was fully dressed.

Nandini slowed involuntarily, finding it hard to breathe. Blurred eyes darted over the old stones that made up the walls and the floor.

She had seen this corridor on her first morning in the palace. Prithvi had dragged her through it enthusiastically ....refusing to give her a compliment to reduce her insecurity, but insistent on taking her to the roof to share a stunning view...

More agonisingly beautiful memories gushed through her mind, each hacking at a portion of her mental armour. And harshest strike was dealt by the memory of the sacred moment when he had uttered the three words she had craved to hear...

"Nandini?" Sumer Singh called out for the third time, staring at her solicitously. "Are you okay?"

She hazily mumbled, "Yes – yes, I'm fine..."

******************************

Enjoying a luscious piece of mango, Uday Singh peeked over the top of the newspaper. Prithvi hadn't stirred. He was still slumped in the chair, eyes closed.

The unexpected visit had delighted Uday, whereas the paleness on the boy's face had done the opposite. However, it had also given him satisfaction. Much as he adored his great-nephew, he had to admit the lad had it coming...

Yesterday, he had not been worried when the whole palace had gone into a tizzy because of Prithvi's disappearance. The beggarly man in the temple had told him not to fret about Prithvi's safety, and bafflingly, the words had embedded themselves in his psyche, filling him with a peculiar serenity...

Then once Prithvi had returned alive and well, fresh rumours had spread about a falling-out between him and Nandini. Uday didn't have any doubts regarding the cause, and he was aligned on Nandini's side this time. It was high time Prithvi learnt how to treat his girlfriend.

Prithvi sat up straighter, gaze transfixed on the door. The concentration on his fair face indicated he was straining to listen to something. Then Uday heard it too. The chiming of anklets...steadily growing louder...

Sumer Singh appeared at the door. "Your highness, Nandini wishes to speak to you."

"She could have walked in without permission. Why have you kept her waiting outside?" Uday asked, putting down the newspaper.

Prithvi answered on Sumer Singh's behalf. "She doesn't want to see me," he muttered, then rose from the chair and moseyed to the balcony. But hope was mushrooming in his heart. Her temper had definitely subsided during the night. Or she wouldn't have kept those roses...or continued to wear the anklets...

Uday Singh made no comment, and Sumer Singh mournfully left the room.

******************************

Nandini entered the room gingerly, and then felt calmer on seeing only Uday Singh in the luxurious chamber. However, her senses remained on alert as she approached him and was greeted affectionately.

Prithvi wasn't in the room, but she could have sworn he was nearby. She could feel his presence with every fibre in her body....could feel him listening to her voice...willing her to say she had changed her decision...

Uday Singh bemoaned the inevitability of her departure and demanded that she return soon. Nandini smiled and conversed with him even as she fought the virtually mesmeric pull of a mind that had proven to be infinitely stronger than hers in the past. With a woozy head, she took Uday Singh's blessings and hastened out of the room. But the instant she stepped outside, invisible boulders attached themselves to her legs.

Nandini followed Sumer Singh slowly, ambushed by conflicting emotions.

This was the right thing to do, so why it did feel almost treacherous and cruel. She couldn't think properly with the uncontrolled commotion in her mind and the queasiness in her stomach...

Was she really going to leave without speaking to Prithvi...she had not even looked at him properly in the morning because of shock...

Nandini felt a forceful movement behind her, and stopped as a tall figure dashed around her to obstruct her way.

"You can leave if you want," Prithvi said urgently. "But just talk to me for a minute before you go."

She stared at him indecisively. He looked pale and haggard, and there was a shadow of stubble on his jawline.

If she gave in to the request, it would be the umpteenth reaffirmation that her spine went missing when it came to him. But this was an opportunity to mend fences and still walk out with a smidgen of dignity, she decided. It had nothing to do with the relief that had flooded her insides when he'd blocked her path.

He was gazing at her with such desolate eyes that she knew he was bracing himself to hear a refusal.

She nodded. Tremendous relief and elation lit up his face, and the lump in her throat became more painful...

Prithvi looked at the nearest door. "Can we talk in there?"

She offered another nod.

Thrilled by the signs of a possible reconciliation, Sumer Singh said, "I'll wait a little ahead." Then he marched away hurriedly, praying hard for the couple to resolve their differences. The days ahead were going to be hard on Prithvi as it was. But an acrimonious parting would make it tougher on him...

Seemingly oblivious to Sumer Singh's exit, Prithvi walked to the door and opened it. He looked at her expectantly.

Feeling unsteady on her feet, Nandini walked into a sunlit room crammed with furniture. She didn't go further inside and chose to stand near the door.

The import of the action was not lost on Prithvi. He didn't have much time...

He stepped into the room and closed the door. Gazing at her uneasily, he quickly said, "I'm sorry about yesterday. I would have taken you along but I felt you were tired. And I'd planned to stay out for a couple of hours at the most, but I went for a walk in the hills and lost my way."

"You're lying," she said serenely. "You did not lose your way."

Taken aback by the charge, Prithvi curiously asked, "Why do you think I'm lying?"

"If you'd actually lost your way, you wouldn't have admitted it," Nandini said coolly. "But you wouldn't mind people believing it as long as you know it isn't true. And if you were okay with such a demeaning lie, it means you don't want to tell the truth. And that's fine. I don't want to know what you were doing yesterday," she shrugged.

He looked at her with a blend of sheepishness and amusement. "You're giving me good competition in the lies department," Prithvi muttered, unconsciously beginning to return to his usual self.

"It's the truth," she refuted.

"And you're not angry anymore," he encouraged tentatively.

"Don't get greedy," she replied lightly.

He grinned and moved towards her involuntarily.

She stepped back.

Prithvi's smile faded, and he gazed at her vulnerably. "Please don't go," he said quietly.

Suddenly fighting tears, she looked at him. The plea had torn her heart...

She couldn't explain to him how difficult it was for her to keep her family and best friends in the dark, and to know that an esteemed family friend was probably questioning her family's value system because of her. He wouldn't understand, and they would end up having another argument. And she didn't want to fight now. If this was the last time they would be seeing each other for a long time, she wanted to part amicably at least. And for that, she would possibly have to rely on the other major cause for her guilt...

"I'm not going because I'm angry. I intended to leave today...you know I did," she reminded him in a trembling voice.

Impatience crossed Prithvi's features for the first time since morning. "It's a decision that can be changed," he said, adamantly refusing to hear the finality in her voice,

Nandini turned her face away. "It would not be fair on Mrs Bhargava. She's being forced to lie to my family every day. I can't let it go on."

The emotions in Prithvi's eyes underwent an imperceptible change. "Is that the reason you're leaving?" he asked unemotionally. "You've taken on the responsibility of her conscience as well?"

Analysing the items on a marble dresser, she vaguely said, "I need to go to her house today. And you'd promised you wouldn't stop me."

Nandini waited on tenterhooks for his reaction, then she heard a sound.

He was holding the door open for her.

"I won't. You can go," Prithvi said tersely.

She uncertainly said, "I know you won't be able to visit, but we can talk over the phone."

"Really? You're sure my calls won't ruin your character?" he asked with mock concern, and then strode out of the room, radiating anger.

******************************

Uday Singh was picking a slice of apple from the scrumptious fruit platter when Prithvi returned. He replaced the fruit and watched cannily as his great-nephew stormed back into the room and dropped into a chair.

Anger and grief were clearly having a feisty celebration in the young man's head.

"Did you talk to her?" Uday asked, and received a grunt for an answer.

"I assume she left anyways."

Prithvi gave his unconcerned great-uncle a black look. "You couldn't have asked her to stay?"

"Why? So you could oppress her for some more days?" Uday Singh asked.

Scowling, Prithvi stated, "I've never oppressed her."

"And I'm a one-woman man," Uday said, and then chortled at the idea.

"What part of this strikes you as funny?" Prithvi growled.

Uday smiled forlornly. "All of it is sad. Especially the part where you find the loveliest girl on the planet, and instead of cherishing her, you punish her repeatedly for the crime of making you fall in love,"

Prithvi stared at Uday Singh wordlessly for a minute, then coldly asked, "Are those fruits made of opium?"

"You don't think you bully her unnecessarily every day?"

"I just tease her a bit," Prithvi dismissed. "What's wrong with that..."

"Can I tell you what I think...based on what Sumer has told me and what I've noticed in the last few days," Uday Singh asked apprehensively.

Prithvi mulishly said, "Absolutely not."

"You had your life mapped out," Uday Singh began gravely. "You believed you could spend a lifetime without relying on anyone emotionally or physically. Then you met Nandini, and she shattered those beliefs and plans. She has become essential to your happiness...to your very existence perhaps. Now you feel you've lost your independence and emotional strength. But her most unforgivable sin is that she has challenged your understanding of yourself. Your ego has been hurt. And for that, you have not forgiven her. I don't doubt the sincerity and depth of your love, but I think a part of you hates her a little," he concluded apologetically.

Prithvi rose to his feet, flushed with anger. "I've heard a number of insufferable stories about ghosts and demons from Nandini's grandfather. Those tales are more realistic than your gibberish theory," he snarled.

Uday Singh sighed deeply and took out a folded paper from the inner pocket of his silk robe. "Here, this is Janki's address," he said, offering the note to his great-nephew.

Prithvi glowered at him, then snatched the paper from the wrinkled fingers and stalked out of the suite.

******************************

Janki gazed fondly at the ravishing girl who was approaching the table carefully, attention focussed on the two steaming cups of tea in her hands.

She was relieved to see the girl under her roof and protection at last. And it was heartening that Nandini's initial nervousness had subsided quickly. The sunny smile was back on her exceedingly pretty face. The decision to avoid asking many questions about the palace and its occupants had been right, Janki contemplated. Nandini was clearly unharmed; if anything, she seemed to have been well looked after. In any case, a detailed investigation was unnecessary. Nandini belonged to the Bharadwaj clan, and if family history was any indication, the girl was incapable of straying from the right path.

And she had had brought her family's enchantment with her, Janki thought with gratitude. They had been re-entering the house after seeing off Sumer Singh when the male nurse had scurried over to share that the patient had managed to sit up without help for the first time in days. It might have been a coincidence, but it was more likely that the renowned and unique Bharadwaj magic had been at play. And in the subsequent hours, Nandini had blended into the fabric of the house, her gorgeous smile charming everyone...

"You should not have gone to the trouble, Nandini," she said indulgently as a cup was placed in front of her.

Nandini smiled shyly, and truthfully said "It was a pleasure, aunty."

That was an understatement. Mrs Bhargava had been very affectionate and kind, and had not asked any embarrassing questions about the previous few days. The author had introduced her to an ailing Mr Bhargava. The elderly gentleman, who had been discharged from the hospital so recently, had greeted her warmly. She had also met the genial three-member team – two women and a man – who looked after Mr Bhargava, and the good-natured cook, Varsha. Everyone had been friendly and kind...

And the old house itself was welcoming. It was much larger than Vrindavan, with a large living room, four bedrooms, a study room, and the kitchen on the ground floor, and three bedrooms on the first storey. But in terms of simplicity, the interiors were similar to her house in Shamli...

"So how was your stay at the palace? Was it comfortable?" Janki ventured to ask watchfully between sips of tea.

With a hint of colour on her face, Nandini awkwardly said, "Yes, everyone took very good care of me."

"And how were Prithvi's birthday celebrations?"

Showing more animation, Nandini smiled and said, "It was wonderful. We went to a beautiful temple in the morning, and later, Uday grandpa gave Prithvi many gifts. All the people in nearby villages were invited for lunch and – and...yes, that was all," she whispered ambiguously.

Janki concernedly observed the onset of gloom on her young companion's face. It had happened again. Ever so often, Nandini's cheerfulness would dip, and strong emotions would cloud those sweet features. The girl was struggling to conceal a deep sorrow. And the root cause was obviously the ancient malady named love...

To change the subject, Janki asked, "Nandini, do you remember the autobiography I'd talked about? Well, that idea has been postponed. But I plan to write a story based on a mountainous tribe in the north. I've secured some books that contain relevant information about numerous such tribes. Could you go through them and highlight the portions that describe their customs and beliefs?"

"I would love to," Nandini said enthusiastically.

"Excellent. The books are on my desk in the study and -" she broke off on seeing a pleasant-faced woman walking towards them. "Yes, Varsha?"

"Babyji's phone was in the kitchen," Varsha said, and extended the cellphone to Nandini smilingly. "It was making some noises."

"Thank you, mausi," Nandini smiled back. Then putting on a show of tranquillity, she looked at the phone. Her friends had forwarded a few jokes...

Janki observed the droop in her ward's shoulders. The same games played out century after century, but the conclusions remained unpredictable. How was this particular tale going to end...

******************************

Kneeling on the floor, Nandini rummaged through her clothes until she found the bag, and chose a marble figurine from the contents. Then she rambled to the bed and plonked down. She stared tenderly at the beautiful baby Krishna, and swore to never part from the idol or the other gifts again. No matter how big the fight...

Holding the figurine tightly, she reclined against the bed's wooden headrest.

Mrs Bhargava had shown extraordinary compassion towards her. If this had happened in Shamli...if a girl who had come to stay with her family had even broached the subject of spending some days in the house of a 'male friend'...

Nandini shivered to think of the volatile situation that would have erupted in Vrindavan and the thoughts that would have passed through the minds of her grandfather and mother.

But the storm had passed, and no lasting damage had been caused. And now she wouldn't have to cheat her innocent family and endure excruciating guilt pangs.

She also hadn't realised just how badly she had missed the indescribable comfort of being in a normal home with simple people...the freedom to do humdrum chores...the reassurance of knowing human presence was around the corner at any time of the day or night...the pleasure of striking a conversation with new people and having them reciprocate with warmth rather than formality...

In fact, everything would have been perfect if she could pluck out her heart and place it separately.

Feeling ill, Nandini sat up.

She needed to divert her thoughts. Downstairs, everyone had gone to their rooms after lunch, so there was no one she could talk to. Then she remembered the books Mrs Bhargava had told her about...

Some time later, she was sitting at the desk in the study and reading voraciously.

It was a scantily furnished room, with a writing desk laden with books, three chairs and a large cupboard filled with hundreds of books. A window near the table provided plentiful light.

The enjoyable and informative work had absorbed her attention completely, and it took her some seconds to realise that the cellphone on the desk was buzzing insistently.

Nandini grabbed it and looked at the screen, and her heart leapt with joy. She answered it quickly. "I didn't think you would call."

"You owe me two promises. I could use one to make you return," Prithvi said darkly while descending a flight of rickety stairs.

The threat helped her breathe easy for some obscure reason. Smiling softly, Nandini muttered, "A promise that might create difficulties for another person need not be kept,"

"I wouldn't say you're that big a nuisance for me," he consoled.

Her lips twitched. "Ha ha. Very funny. You know I was talking about Mrs Bhargava."

"If you say so. How many more hours until you accept you're being unfair?" he asked out of the blue.

"Hmmm...I may consider the possibility if you tell me where you were yesterday," she suggested, doing her best to sound flippant.

"So you were lying in the morning," he grinned. "Okay, I'll be honest. I was abducted by a beauty from the hills. Amazing curves and a dress made of less than five leaves. She wanted...my company," he sighed languorously. "You're lucky I had the willpower to turn her down and escape."

"Lucky apparently has a different meaning in your book," Nandini said tartly. "But why did she want your company? What crime was she punishing herself for?

"None. She wanted to commit some fresh sins with me," he confessed.

Nandini cut the call angrily. If his dream woman was a hussy clad in leaves, she wholeheartedly wished his kidnapping fantasy would turn into reality. But the truly frustrating part was that the apology in the morning had been a farce. He didn't think she deserved an explanation...

About thirty five minutes later, she was still on the same page when the phone rang.

"I'm busy," she responded thinly.

"Are you aware that Mrs Bhargava's house is built on a special sort of toxic waste?" Prithvi asked seriously as he walked along a crowded pavement. "The contamination affects only girls under the age of twenty. You might grow three or four heads if you stay there for a night," he presaged.

Smothering a giggle, she pleasantly said, "Thank you for the warning. But even if I grow five heads, I'll have only half as many as you."

He grinned. "Don't make me laugh in public. Female pedestrians and drivers will get distracted and accidents will be caused. Okay, I need to hang up now. Stop calling me every two minutes. I don't have time for idle chitchat," he admonished.

The call went dead.

Nandini stared at the phone, and then chuckled softly. She kept the mobile back on the table and strove to concentrate on the book whilst waiting for the next call.

The third call, however, didn't come for hours. Masking her steadily rising disappointment and restlessness, Nandini mingled cheerfully with the others in the house, having tea with Mrs Bhargava, timidly sharing the knowledge she had gleaned so far, and chatting with Varsha and the professionals taking care of Mr Bhargava.

Shortly after six, Nandini went to her room to speak to her family. After the blissfully guilt-free call ended, she walked to the sliding window and pushed aside the glass a little more to gaze at the lovely neighbourhood. Houses were closely packed in the locality, and the streets were lively. Children were playing cricket on the road, stopping sporadically to allow the passage of vehicles and pedestrians.

The cellphone rang again, and she received the call elatedly.

"You're still saying this is about the old lady's predicament?" Prithvi queried thoughtfully.

Confounded by the strange question, she slowly said, "Yes...why?"

"Just wanted to confirm you're continuing the charade," he murmured.

Nandini heard the disconnected tone, and vaguely registered that her throat was parched. She tried to reach him several times, but the calls went unanswered. 

Why wasn't he receiving her calls...and what had he meant by that...

******************************

Panting, Kadambari lumbered into the foyer at the entrance. Her keen eyes skimmed over the grounds and the guards, and then fixated on the man standing at the foot of the stairs. Sumer Singh was looking down the winding road that led to the gates.

"Where is Prithvi?" Kadambari queried, waddling forward. "The servants told me he'd returned." On any other day, she would have been delighted to know that Prithvi had come back earlier than usual. Today, however, the same fact had worried her. He must be in very bad shape...

Sumer Singh answered without looking at her. "The guards say he strolled across the grounds for some time, then took one of the cars and left. When I reached, he was driving away. And now he's not answering my calls," he added under his breath.

"Which car?"

"Not the black one."

"He must not have eaten anything after lunch," Kadambari lamented. "And who knows if he had lunch too..."

Sumer Singh remained silent. He was not worried about Prithvi at the moment...

Kadambari, however, couldn't put an end to the stream of terrible thoughts. And they weren't exclusively concentrated on Prithvi's present and future condition. A small part of her mind had been thoroughly dedicated to fretting about Nandini. 

The girl couldn't take care of herself. Would she be alright in the other house....would someone look after her and offer guidance whenever necessary...

And it wasn't just that. Everything felt a trifle unbalanced, like a dish that didn't contain the subtle yet vital ingredient that pulled all the strong flavours together. She'd nearly called her up at noon... 

And if she was missing the girl like this in spite of having known her for 3-4 days, how would Prithvi be feeling...

She had not been able to protect him when he was a child, and that failure would haunt her to the end of her life. But she was not locked up or helpless this time, and she would not stand idle while her child suffered.

"Take me to that writer woman's house," she told Sumer Singh, chin up.

Sumer Singh glanced at her irately, but to her surprise, he signalled to the guards to bring a car.

******************************

Varsha put off the flame underneath the mixed vegetable curry, and looked at Nandini.

"Babyji, you've helped me enough. I'll do the rest," she said persuasively.

"Just five more," Nandini insisted, rolling out a roti with practised ease.

Varsha smiled and began to wash the plates needed for dinner.

Nandini lifted the thin, circular piece of dough and put it on the hot tava. She had started to work on the next roti when her skin prickled. Her hands stilled as the kitchen abruptly became stifling.

It was impossible. Prithvi wouldn't come to this house...especially not at this hour. It was too early for him to wind up the day's search. And she didn't want him to come here either, Nandini thought uneasily. She was the one who had mentioned the possibility of an occasional visit, but that had been a sentimental blunder. Mrs Bhargava had been staggeringly open-minded until now, but it would be foolhardy to put more strain on her tolerance levels...

Nandini resisted the upsurge of alarm and brought her attention back to the job. She rescued a fluffy roti before it was burnt, and doggedly continued with the task.

The loud ring of the doorbell startled her so badly that the rolling pin almost fell from her hands.

"I'll see who it is," Varsha said, walking out of the kitchen.

With her stomach in knots, Nandini shut off the gas and put down the rolling pin. She stared tensely at the kitchen's door.

What if it was him...

When Varsha reappeared after some minutes, Nandini nervously asked, "Who was it, mausi?"

"A young man who said he wanted to speak to madamji," Varsha replied while taking up the plates again. "She's trying to convince sahib to have more food, so she asked me to take the guest to the study."

"Mausi, I'll be back in two minutes and make the rest of the rotis," Nandini mumbled, and sedately left the kitchen. Once she was certain Varsha couldn't see her, she sprinted to the study, unaccountably afraid.

Nandini stopped outside the partially open door, hoping that she was about to intrude upon a stranger. A nudge with freezing fingers send the door swinging open.

Prithvi was lounged in one of the chairs at the desk, and he was flipping through a novel written by Mrs Bhargava.

Momentarily blank, Nandini asked, "What are you doing here?"

"The cover says she won an award for this. What else was in the running? Alphabet books?" he asked derisively. Despite the tone, the tinge of red on his face and the reluctance to glance at her indicated a different set of feelings.

She stomped ahead to tug the book out of his hands and kept the novel on the desk. "Answer me!"

He met her gaze apprehensively, but there was a ruthless purpose in the set of his jaw and the careless response. "I'm going to ask for her permission to take you back to the palace."

"Have you lost your mind," Nandini asked fiercely. "Get out of here!"

"Not until I talk to her," Prithvi retorted obstinately.

"What's going on?"

As Nandini swung in shock to see Janki at the door, Prithvi rose from the chair grudgingly.

Incisive gaze switching from one face to the other, Janki sharply asked, "Prithvi, what are you doing here?"

Nandini found her voice and hurriedly declared, "He's leaving."

"He is not," Prithvi rebutted civilly, switching his gaze from her outraged features to the guarded visage of the elderly woman. "He wants to have a talk with you, if you have the time."

Nandini grit her teeth.

Janki studied the young man. The glimpse of humour had surprised her, possibly due to the arrogantly casual attitude he had exhibited last time. Nandini was unmistakably shocked and furious at the visit, and that meant she could ask Prithvi to leave without hurting the girl...

"Have a seat," she said finally against her better judgement, and proceeded to the solitary chair on the other side.

"I'm fine," Prithvi said briefly.

Janki had just sat down when Nandini hastened to stand beside her. Persephone declaring her stand against Hades, the author mulled. But Hades was evidently unaffected, apart from a new touch of grimness on his arrestingly handsome face.

"What do you wish to speak to me about?" she asked.

Prithvi hesitated. He couldn't recollect the last time he had done anything of this sort. Generally, if a person's help was important, he would put his mind to finding another way. If there was no other option, he preferred to face any amount of trouble than ask for assistance. And now he had been reduced to this...

As bitter resentment flared inside him, his mind replayed Uday Singh's voice.

I think a part of you hates her a little...

Brutally shutting down the disturbing line of thought, he offhandedly said, "I want you to give Nandini permission to stay...at the palace till it's time for her to return to Shamli."

Nandini hissed, "Prithvi!"

Undisturbed, Prithvi continued to address Janki. "Her conscience is abnormally active. She hates lying to her family, but it's also bothering her that you have been forced to - So if you give your approval, she will feel better, and then she won't mind -"

"I most certainly will mind," Nandini cut in, infuriated.

"Nandini, let him speak," Janki said soothingly.

"Yes, let him," Prithvi supported seriously, glancing at her once. "But actually, I've said my piece, Mrs Bhargava. Now you can ask give your consent."

"Is this your idea of a polite request?" Janki asked ironically

"He didn't mean to be rude," Nandini explained quickly, much to Janki's amusement. Juliet had peered out briefly from behind Persephone's mask...

An endearing grin illuminated Prithvi's stunning features. "She's right for the first time. You'll find it hard to believe, but this is me at my politest."

That smile was going to linger in her mind for some days, Janki contemplated clinically. It would have been irresistible even on an ordinary face. But when daunting masculine beauty of face and build, and an exceptionally virile aura were added to the mix, the result would inexorably be deadly. Nandini was bristling currently, but in the long run – if there was going to be a long run, the girl was going to have her hands full.

"How is Uday?" she asked unexpectedly.

Piercing intelligence glittered in Prithvi's eyes. "You will never have to find out, irrespective of your decision," he said casually, making Nandini frown in confusion.

Janki, however, looked at him with interest, astonished by her unquestioning belief in the assurance. Was it her foolishness or had she really seen an inbuilt strain of nobility and honour for a second...

And the boy was sharper than she'd expected. He had understood the question, and he had reassured her without divulging anything significant. It was becoming easier to see why Bhoothnath sung his praises...

"Prithvi, I think you're perfectly aware I'm not going to let Nandini go with you," she said. "But you're still here..."

"I have a proud history of never accepting unpleasant situations gracefully," he said with a slight shrug.

Nandini looked longingly at a large paperweight on the table. She would have sacrificed a lot to be able to hurl it at the cocky face.

There was a knock on the door, and Varsha's head peered in to say two strangers were at the door and were desirous of speaking with her urgently. Janki didn't hesitate to ask that they be shown in. It would give her some time to overcome the mysterious reluctance to disappoint the young man

The door opened. Head reeling, Nandini retreated in shock.

Kadambari walked into the room, round face gleaming with purpose. She smiled at Nandini. Then her gaze fell upon Prithvi, who appeared both astounded and pleased, and she stopped in amazement. After two seconds, Sumer Singh entered the room with obvious unwillingness. He too paused on seeing Prithvi. The displeasure on his face became more pronounced, and all of a sudden, Prithvi looked uncomfortable.

Sumer Singh looked at Nandini, eyes conveying remorse and a heartfelt apology.

Nandini tried but couldn't muster a smile to reassure him. Prithvi had already blindsided her, and now reinforcements had arrived to assist him. All of them were dear to her, and yet, she felt utterly alone and powerless.

In the highly awkward silence, Janki analysed the new entrants in the drama and the silent interactions. Sumer Singh was one who had dropped Nandini to the house, and she had also recognised the woman – Kadambari, if her memory served her correctly. She could deduce the objective of their visit, though the middle-aged man seemed to be a grudging participant in the battle.

"You both are here to help Prithvi, I assume," Janki said mildly.

"She is," Sumer Singh said distantly.

Regaining her bearings, Kadambari squared her shoulders and walked to Janki's desk. Sumer Singh continued to stand woodenly near the door, making his disapproval abundantly clear.

Kadambari said, "Mrs Bhargava, I want your permission to –

"Do have a seat first. Prithvi, I wish to speak to her and Nandini in private. Would you and Mr...Sumer Singh please wait in the living room?

Sumer Singh opened the door and exited.

Prithvi glanced at Kadambari who had occupied one of the chairs. "Ask, don't plead," he stipulated.

Kadambari smiled feebly.

He looked at Janki. "She's no less than a mother to me."

She inclined her head in acknowledgement.

All hail Mr Sensitive, Nandini thought caustically. She evaded the hopeful gaze that rested on her fleetingly before he left the room.

Janki leaned forward on the desk. "Kadambari, you seem to be a woman who has had her fair share of experiences in life. Tell me frankly...if Nandini was your daughter, would you allow her to live in the same house – or palace as a young man whose heart is set upon her?"

With a matter-of-fact attitude, Kadambari said, "Mrs Bhargava, I was married to a man who tortured me mentally and physically for years. And then one day, he eloped with a seventeen year old girl who lived in a nearby village. Her relatives found them within two hours. My husband knew they might kill him, so he abandoned that girl and tried to run off alone. But he had a heart attack and dropped dead on the road. After that, I lived alone, and it took a long time for men to understand that I did not welcome their offers to -" she paused and breathed deeply. Her eyes were dry, but her face had turned a mottled crimson.

Nandini rushed to the plump woman and embraced her, feeling hurt and enraged on her behalf. Kadambari's story had sent shock waves through her, eclipsing her personal turmoil and making it seem horribly petty...

"I'm alright, don't worry," Kadambari consoled Nandini, patting her hand. "Here, sit near me." She waited till an unsure Nandini had occupied the adjacent chair, and then looked at the woman opposite her.

"I'm sorry to hear you've led such a hard life," Janki said sympathetically.

"A hard life...yes, it was...but it taught me a lot. And it is because I have seen the worst of men that I can tell you confidently...Prithvi...he is the best among them. Nandini will agree with me," Kadambari declared, and then gazed pleadingly at the girl beside her. "Nandini, has he ever misbehaved with you? Has he said or done anything that would go against the rules of propriety? He might tease you occasionally over some silly issues, but have his actions frightened you or – or – made you feel unsafe?"

"No," Nandini mumbled.

Buoyed by the confirmation, Kadambari emphatically told Janki, "See? He doesn't even hold her hand. And all their interactions happen in the presence of others."

"Be that as it may, I cannot give my consent," Janki said. "I'm a close friend of Nandini's family, and I would be betraying their trust for the second time if I allow her to go back to the palace. And the Bharadwaj family may not be rich, but they are highly respected in Shamli. Rich and powerful people come to their doorstep when they need to conduct holy rituals in their palatial homes. If you knew how pious and righteous they are, you wouldn't ask me to jeopardise Nandini's safety and my relationship with her family."

The newfound knowledge about Nandini's family disconcerted Kadambari fleetingly. But she rallied with haste. "If you knew Prithvi, you wouldn't think you were jeopardising either of those. There isn't a wicked thought in my child's head."

Nandini wanted to put her head on the table and weep.

"He's a healthy young man. It's rather inconceivable that he doesn't have a wicked thought in his head," Janki said dryly.

Kadambari was undaunted this time around. Her statements were a trifle exaggerated, but it was for Prithvi's sake. "You say that because you don't know him. But for your satisfaction, I swear on Prithvi that I will look after Nandini like she's my own daughter. No one will be allowed to harm a hair on her head."

"I won't deny that is a reassuring promise coming from you, but -"

"Mrs Bhargava, Nandini's presence in this house may put your mind at rest. But her presence in the palace would give peace and happiness to many people. So please...allow us to take her back to the palace. I would be in your debt forever," she said, joining her palms in supplication. "You will not have any cause to regret..."

Nandini listened to the women in a dull daze.

A guardian's protectiveness pitted against a mother's determination. Poor Mrs Bhargava did not stand a chance...

Overriding every objection, Kadambari went on building her case with a perseverance and skill that could have helped her win lawsuits in the Supreme Court. Then Nandini became aware that the author was speaking to her in a defeated voice.

"....do you want to go back to the palace? You can be honest," Janki said gently. "I will not judge you..."

******************************

Prithvi paced around the room restlessly, emanating a tense energy. He raked his hand through lush black hair and then glanced at the rigid man standing behind the couch.

Sumer Singh had not spoken to him after leaving the study, and the severity of the older man's demeanour was discouraging.

Prithvi sighed. "You can speak your mind, Baba."

"I have nothing to say, My Lord," Sumer Singh said austerely.

"I know you're angry," Prithvi said moodily.

"Do you also know why?"

"Yes," Prithvi grumbled.

"So you know you're in the wrong," Sumer Singh condemned. "But do you really understand what you've done? It was brave and selfless of Nandini to agree to stay at the palace till your birthday. And instead of being grateful, you used every opportunity to bully her and hurt her feelings. And then you came here to land her in a terribly difficult and awkward situation."

He halted to give Prithvi a chance to defend himself, but the uneasy young man was looking glumly at the floor.

Reducing the harshness of his voice, Sumer Singh said, "You know the values and traditions she has grown up with. But that didn't stop you from forcing her to feel embarrassed in front of Mrs Bhargava who is the same age as her grandfather. I did not expect this behaviour from you, Prithvi. I had thought you would -"

He paused as the door to the study opened. Prithvi turned swiftly to stare at the girl walking out of the room.

Nandini stalked past the men without looking at either of them and ran up the stairs. Janki came out of the study. Kadambari was right behind her. Then she shifted to a side and smiled broadly.

Prithvi smiled exultantly. He strode to the women and embraced Kadambari, who laughed happily and thumped his back. Then he looked at Janki and sincerely said, "Thank you."

Janki felt strangely moved by the wealth of emotion in the words. Nonetheless, she forewarned, "One distress call from Nandini, and I will bring her back."

"Don't hold your breath," Prithvi grinned.

******************************

Prithvi circled the shiny car indolently, suppressing his impatience by mulling over random details.

If Nandini asked about Kadambari and Sumer Singh, he had a perfectly innocent and ostensibly truthful answer ready. While she and the old lady had been upstairs, he had mentioned to Kadambari that they would reach the palace in time for dinner. That had been sufficient to send her scurrying off, and Sumer Singh had sullenly escorted her.

But he probably wouldn't have to offer an explanation if she was furious enough to give him the silent treatment. God forbid...

He glanced fervently at the half-open door. Where was she...why was she taking so much time to pack her belongings. Was she busy indulging in the obsessive habit of falling at random people's feet... or was she having second thoughts...

Prithvi stopped as the door opened fully. Bag in hand, Nandini walked through the open door with Janki. Inordinately relieved, Prithvi strode to them, and grasped the handles of the bag to take it from Nandini's hand. Her fingers tightened their hold, but then she let go. The fleeting bit of conflict and the fact that they carefully avoided looking at each other did not go unnoticed.

Giving Mrs Bhargava the politest nod he was capable of, Prithvi walked to the car. He deposited the bag in the backseat, and then got into the driver's seat. The lack of questions about Kadambari and Sumer Singh, and the resistance over the bag were precursors of things to come, he reflected.

The passenger door opened and Nandini settled into the seat next to him. He watched her wave goodbye to Mrs Bhargava. Then she curtly told the windshield, "We can leave."

"Yes, your highness," he told the same object. Deftly pulling the car away from the doors, he set off for the palace, spirits lightening after what seemed to have been a century. He glanced uncertainly at her. Her face was turned rigidly to the window and he could only see the curve of a cheek in the flashes of light coming from the streetlamps and other vehicles. The folded arms were another bad sign...

He resignedly focused on the road again. Large houses made way for small, shabby ones, which were replaced swiftly by shops. After a while, the car entered a wide but congested thoroughfare, and eventually had to halt at a traffic signal.

"I will leave for Shamli tomorrow."

Shocked eyes swung to Nandini, who was staring at the car in front of them.

"What did you say?" Prithvi asked quietly.

She looked at him with blistering animosity. "What were you expecting? I would return to the palace on a leash like your pet animal, and you would add one more victory to the chronicles?" she enquired sarcastically.

Conquering a spurt of anger, he calmly said, "That is not what I want. I can understand why you're upset, but don't -"

"Understand? Don't make laugh. You don't understand anything except your own wishes," she spat rancorously.

Jaw clenched, Prithvi looked away as he tried to restrain his temper. "You claimed your sole concern was Mrs Bhargava's dilemma. So I solved the issue. I don't see any reason for your hysteria," he said tightly.

"You knew that was not the only problem, but you decided to use my words to punish me," Nandini hissed. "I couldn't be fully honest with you in the morning because I knew you wouldn't understand. I've been lying to my family every day. Do you know how small and awful I feel each time I speak to them? No...how would you know. You don't have a conscience and you don't value relationships. If you did, you wouldn't have done this to me today."

"It wasn't enjoyable for me either," he said bitingly.

"I'm sure it wasn't. You had to pretend to be courteous for five seconds, didn't you? But here's a news flash. Normal people behave politely every day. Oh wait....what does anything normal have to do with you?" she said with a disparaging smile.

Honks began blaring rowdily, indicating that the signal had turned green. Gripping the steering wheel with unnecessary force, Prithvi began to take the car forward.

Nandini bitterly went on, "I could have stayed with Mrs Bhargava, and we could have tried to meet outside at times. But you didn't want to make that effort for my sake. You decided I should sit like a piece of furniture in the palace all day, so you could see me whenever you wanted to. Did you take a second to wonder if that's what I want too? No. But it's my fault that I keep expecting more empathy from you. You're a Neanderthal...and that's all you will ever be."

Prithvi's hands tightened on the steering wheel till the knuckles turned white. "I'll drop you back."

"I don't want to go back," she snapped as the crawling car stopped again at a signal. "I can't face her again, thanks to you. I'm going to Shamli tomorrow."

"Suit yourself. But if you stay at the palace tonight, you will regret it," he said casually.

Beside herself with rage, she glared at him. Instead of evoking terror, the threat had added a gallon of fuel to an already raging fire.

"Your juvenile threats don't scare me," Nandini said scornfully.

Keeping his blazing eyes on the crowded road, he sardonically replied, "Good for you. I hope that courage doesn't evaporate when you discover just how much of a Neanderthal I can be."

"You won't do anything," she challenged.

"Not doing anything is your area of expertise, not mine," he retorted.

Insides boiling, she reclined huffily. Arguments with him were futile. And anyway, she had to endure him only till they reached the palace. She would stay in her room till it was time for her to leave for Shamli tomorrow, and that would be it...she would not have to see his face again...

The enormously soothing thought helped Nandini look out the window with faintly less hostility. The car was moving slothfully, giving her time to study the bright shops, swish restaurants and the pavement bustling with people and hawkers. Anything to distract her attention from the hateful presence near her...

"Stop the car," she said suddenly, lowering the window.

He glanced at her sharply but brought the car to a stop by the roadside through skilful manoeuvring, and then tersely asked, "What is it?"

Nandini peered cautiously to her left and stared keenly for a few seconds. Then she sat straight again, biting the inside of her lower lip. While the younger face had not made a strong impression last time, the presence of the other man proved she was not wrong. But why should she tell the Neanderthal...he deserved a nasty surprise...

She looked at her hands and resentfully said, "There were two men in suits outside a restaurant we passed by."

"Go on," he frowned.

"I think they work for your grandfather," Nandini shared stiffly. "The younger man had accompanied him to the hospital when you were - and I remember seeing the other man on the day your grandfather had come to Ayodhya."

There was an ominous silence in the car for a moment. Then Prithvi got down from the car and slammed the door shut.

Nandini remained seated stubbornly. If he was going to engage in a scuffle on the road, that was his business. With any luck, the police would arrest him and throw him in jail for a night...

She disembarked briskly and ran.

******************************