She waited impatiently in the still of the night before she rose to her feet again, determined to get over with her unfinished business. Shielding herself against the cold air with the warmth of her shawl she stole back to his tent and let herself in as noiselessly as she could, afraid to breathe for the fear of awakening him from his sleep. As she measured her paces to the corner where she knew she would find what she had come looking for, her fingers began to grope instinctively. Unable to find her intended target she moved a little to her left and resumed her search, focusing on her task. In the next instant she felt something move swiftly and she found herself pinned to the ground, with a masculine palm gripping her mouth firmly as an involuntary scream froze in her throat. He loomed large over her frail body and she felt immobilised with fear, unsure how to react to the situation. 

"Care to explain?" came his command in a husky voice, as he slowly released the grip of his palm over her mouth, though still keeping her body pinned down as he felt her trying to resist involuntarily. She did not respond immediately, trying to guess whether he had been pretending to be asleep expecting her to return or if she had genuinely surprised him while napping. She dared not lie to him, but she did not know how was she going to admit to him the reason why she had sneaked back into his private space like a thief in the night. The last time she stole the dope from his kit he had failed to notice it. She was back for more so she could make another nightly rendezvous with him without her people being aware of what she had been indulging in. She knew she was being bold, she knew it was inappropriate to try to get close to him when her father meant to give her away in marriage to a complete stranger. But her heart would not let her be at rest, their unexpected kiss had caused her senses to explode and she could not resist returning for more. 

"Why do you ask when you know the reason well? Can't you tell, I am just following my heart. I am a simple girl, and my life has been very ordinary. This is my only chance to add some meaning to it. You have your lofty principles yet you are not beyond temptation. I can see the same longing in your eyes, I know you want the same thing that I do, so do not try to deny it." It was the moment of reckoning for her, everything would depend on his reaction to her confession. She decided to gamble, to buy herself more time to squirm out of the sticky situation at the same time try to gauge his thoughts. His heart and mind were fighting a classic battle of contradiction, his heart longed to possess her body and soul. He knew she was eager, he only had to give her a sign and she would succumb to him completely, she was ripe for the picking. He could only imagine the bliss resulting from the union of two willing hearts  and he craved to gratify his need. 

At the same time he was annoyed that his honour was at stake, she was perpetually trying his patience, pushing the envelope further each time. The moment she realised his weakness it would be the beginning of a catastrophe. This had to stop right now, even if it meant being callous to her. " And  what do you expect I want from you? Unlike you I have no illusions in life, what you sensed is mere attraction. A man is drawn to a woman because of his hormones, I would feel the same for any other woman in your place, and I have felt it before, I am not going to deny it. You've seen me around other women. There is nothing higher about it, so do not live in a fool's paradise." He could hardly believe the words he had just uttered.

"Liar, if you feel nothing, why did you care about the scars on my back? Why did you stop yourself when you had me for the taking, any other man who wanted my body would have never held himself back." She retorted, not willing to stand down. "That's because I have certain values and principles, not because you mean anything more to me. Your father expects me to protect you against any harm, it is just a job for me and I take pride in my work." He told her blandly, trying to build himself a solid case. She managed to grab his hand and held his palm over her head. "Swear on me, say that you do not share my feelings and I will not bother you again." She spoke with determination, full of confidence. "Stop playing games with me, Baisa. You are not a child to be forgiven your trespasses each time." He told her angrily, not wanting to walk into her trap. 

"I knew it, you are in denial. That means there is still hope for me." She trilled happily, as she entwined her arms around him. "If I were your motiari, I would massage and groom you, then you would make me yours each night." She teased him. " If we were in a ghotul it would be round robin, every man in there would enjoy you in turns, and none would need to marry you for it." He would not let her win. "All right, then you will be my motyar, and I will bear your children and we'll all live happily forever." Motyar is the Marwari word for husband, she tried to snare him with her play on words. "Or I could go straight to your father and tell him that you have been drugging him, and make sure he ties you down each night so you do not leave your bed to visit strangers until he marries you off." He warned her not to be cheeky with him over the issue on hand. He rose suddenly, dragged her out and dropped her off to her side of the camp. "I love you, always will. And the best part is I know you love me too." She whispered to him happily, glad that she had finally said it aloud.