When they finally drew apart the enormity of what had just happened dawned on Randhir and he gently let go of her. Not to be undone she tried to hug him once more, realising she was still nestled on his lap where she sat squarely on what she knew was his burgeoning desire. "Please go back to your bed, forget anything that happened, no one will know and your honour is safe." He tried to persuade her to see reason. "I don't regret anything, I enjoyed every moment of it." She knew well what was at stake here, but she did not care. "Besides, you still have to explain to me what a Muria ghotul and a motiari are. Please, I really need to know." She replied, hoping to stretch her stay for as long as she could. "If I tell you then will you leave?" He asked her, not wanting to start an argument with her at this hour. "Maybe, but I want to know everything!" She said to him in defiance. He was a bit exasperated at her cheek but he also knew once he told her what she needed to know she would have no reason to stay on longer and he could finally sleep in peace. He really ought to be more careful with his stash of drugs, the vixen had obviously helped herself to some that she let slip in the kheer,  so she could visit him secretly in the night. If she has no access to the drugs she would have no scope for further mischief.

As she lay down facing him he could not but help smile at her brazenness. He could see her bodice slipping up revealing a bit of her cleavage, yet she had placed herself at a reasonable distance so she could see him better as he spoke. He tried to focus on the mission in hand and her eyes rather than on her blouse. He went on to explain to her as simply as he possibly could. "The Muria Gond are a unique tribe of Central India who have an unusual custom of initiating their pre-teen children into a unisex dormitory called a ghotul, a specially constructed residence in which entry to non-members is forbidden. The ghotul is a form of social organisation in which the initiated boys or cheliks are allowed to freely interact with the ghotul girls who are called motiaris. They are led by a set of leaders, the dominant boy is called a sirdar or head and his partner is the belosa". Randhir observed that her interest was perked up, while he was hoping that she would get drowsy and sleep so he could drop her off to her sleeping space. Quite on the other hand, she knew instinctively that he was yet to come to the interesting part, so she snuggled a bit closer to him, causing him to lose focus again.

Determined to finish quickly, he continued his narration."The leaders are responsible for the structure and organisation of the ghotul and each team member is assigned specific tasks depending on their gender, and they are collectively responsible for the cleanliness and upkeep of the ghotul. Parents craving for much needed privacy start sending their children to the ghotul where they may watch the dances and games of the older members, but the children only start sleeping in the ghotul after they are about eight years old. At this age they become formal members and are given secret names to be used for them in the ghotul. After the day's work is done the young people let down their hair by telling each other stories, playing games, singing and dancing the Rela together while drinking palm wine, basically socialising without supervision". He paused for a while, hoping to cut it short, but she insisted that he finish the talk.

"Soon the young girls start massaging the boys and combing their hair. The younger children retire to sleep, each gender in their respective huts, and then the leaders start forming the older cheliks and motiaris into pairs so they can spend the night together in a communal love hut. Those unwilling to participate are free to abstain, but the other couples who are randomly selected proceed to enjoy a night of uninhibited freedom to explore each other sexually. Care is taken not to allow incest, but fidelity has no role to play in the ritual. Every few days the partners are changed so that love is exhibited without possessiveness or jealousy, every person has a chance to participate and receive pleasure, with the older members slowly initiating the inexperienced new entrants. There are rules, no one can force themselves upon another, and oddly enough several couples may share the room together, each confining themselves to a separate corner. Sometimes a brother may lay with a girl in the same room where his sister is busy with another boy." He almost laughed to see the shocked expression on her face, realising she has been doled out more than she could digest.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, "The parents have no objection to pre-marital sex indulged in by their children? And don't they believe in marriage? What if the girls become pregnant?" He had expected her to bombard him with questions, now that he had revealed so much she would not relent until she knew everything. He began replying patiently. "No, the parents allow the teens freedom. The Muria believe this is a period of bliss and young people who live these moments become faithful partners to their spouses. Once they are married the couples, whose marriages are arranged by their parents, leave the ghotul and set up a home to raise a family, never to return to the ghotul, as outsiders are not allowed to visit or interact with the ghotul members. The Muria practise natural birth control, some herbal potions prevent pregnancies and moreover they believe that a girl only gets pregnant if she becomes attached to a partner, or sleeps with someone outside the walls of the ghotul. They only bear children after marriage, within the ghotul pregnancies are discouraged, being regarded as a burden."He said. "So the other day, you were trying to get close to that tribal girl..." Her voice trailed off, as he saw her eyes glisten with tears. "I told you, the ghotul girls only sleep with their cheliks or husbands, they do not give favours to outsiders, they may flirt and let you touch them a bit, but they never open up to strangers, it is their custom, and they abide by their own rules no matter what others think about them!" He interjected. " Baisa, now you really have to go back, I need to sleep now, I have a day's work awaiting me in the morning, and it is quite late." 

"Fine, I'll go now. But can I see you again? You know so much about the world, I would like to hear all about the people and customs in unknown places." She almost pleaded, not knowing how else to keep a channel of access open. "You are marrying another man soon, so it is not acceptable that you spend time with strangers, and please forget about what happened between us, it was a mistake.  Don't dwell on it if you want to live happily as another man's wife." He signalled a finish to their session, and there was nothing more to be said. She rose to her feet, gathering her odhni about her. " I may be young and foolish, but our kiss was not a mistake, I sensed your real feelings for me, and you cannot deny the truth even if it is inconvenient. I'll wait for you till the end, and I hope you will not disappoint me." As she left him alone, her parting words lingered on, leaving the young man pondering on what she had implied. He wished his life had been simpler. Combat was easier, why did dealing with a woman have to be so complicated?