The hubbub of the mela continued all morning as the ladies of the house, their daughters and friends shopped with enthusiasm in the privacy of their own courtyard, purchasing yards of silk and brocade fabrics, shoes, trinkets, perfumes and cosmetics to their hearts contents. As the vendors wound up shop by afternoon the women dispersed into their own apartments, happily showing off their shopping to their dear ones. After all the vendors and artists had left the premises Randhir instructed the haveli staff to tidy up the place. He was still a bit disappointed for not having anticipated the situation, he had never imagined Sanyukta would retreat indoors rather than indulge herself like all the haveli women. Like any other man he had assumed that she liked to possess nice clothes and accessories, a woman could never have enough of those. 

He wished to see her pampered like his female relatives but to his surprise she had stayed just long enough to offer prayers and prasad at the haveli shrine, asking to be blessed with a spouse of her choice and he obviously knew who that was. He knew she was asking for the impossible but was flattered by her perseverance and single-minded will to make her desire come true. While he had no faith in the ritual of invoking blessings, when she stumbled his arms involuntarily grabbed her. Those few moments that he held her close to him were pure bliss and he let her go quite reluctantly. Around her he was driven by instinct, wanting to keep her safe as she seemed to attract a vortex of  trouble. He tried not to think about having to let her go in a few weeks. He just longed to keep her close to his heart where he felt she really belonged. 

Samsher's wife had stayed back to buy a few things and just as she was about to return Randhir stopped her and handed her a bag, asking her to present it to Sanyukta. "Kaki sa, please give this to your guest, but say it is from you."He spoke earnestly, bringing a smile to her face. "And what makes you think she will accept it from me? It would be proper if you presented it in appreciation of her cooking, that would really make her feel special." She was enjoying this banter, hoping to corner him enough to make him confess his feelings for the young girl. "Please Kaki sa, just do it for me." He handed the bag to her and began walking away. "Don't be too long, someone will be waiting for you eagerly." She reminded him. She remembered her own heady days of youth as she was being courted by an ardent Samsher who defied convention to marry her.

As she returned to her apartment she went into the kitchen to check on Sanyukta, who seemed organised in the way she had distributed work amongst the staff while she supervised all important tasks personally. When the cooking was done she instructed them to keep the meal warm while she went to freshen up and change for the second time since morning. She treated herself to a herbal body scrub and an almond sandalwood oil massage. After a rejuvenating bath she slipped into a pale pink lehenga. They helped dry her hair over a charcoal brazier made fragrant with incense, combing and dressing it for her. Her eyes were darkened with collyrium, her lips smoothened with lightly tinted beeswax and perfume was dabbed on her skin. She wore minimal jewellery, her own jhumkas and glass bangles. As soon as Samsher's wife glanced at her she smiled warmly telling her she looked serenely beautiful.

After the maids had set the table they announced the arrival of Samsher and Randhir, and soon they were joined by Samsher's sons and Keshav. The meal was served in the presence of Kaki sa, who noticed Randhir's impatience as his eyes kept darting toward the inner chamber. Several courses appeared including what seemed like shami kebebs, koftas, shahi paneer, chutney wale aloo, saag, stuffed gourd, kesar kulchas and moti pulao in ornate silver thalis and katoris. Randhir was surprised when he was told that the kebabs and koftas were not made with meat, but with a clever combination of walnuts, peanuts, lentils and yam. It was unusual for the men of the household to be regaled with such a scrumptious vegetarian feast. As the others were served their dessert, Kaki sa made Randhir wait for his share. The boys were dispatched to play after which Samsher retreated to the bedchamber to await his wife and the maids cleared the meal away. 

Telling him that his dessert was waiting for him indoors Kaki sa led Randhir inside, handing him the gift bag and shutting the door after him. As he walked in he was unsure about how to conduct himself. He found her standing next to the table in the room, fidgeting with the end of her odhni, he was mesmerised to see her looking so ethereal. There was a silver salver with a selection of desserts waiting from him- ghevar, paper-thin wraps stuffed with rabdi, and cashew burfi. As she saw him approach her she put together a plate of tasting portions of the sweets and offered it to him as he took a seat. He bit into them, realising that everything was as delicious as the meal he just had. As he complimented her for her skills and the effort she had taken he handed her the bag he was carrying. 

"I cannot accept this." She said softly. "It is a our custom to offer shagun to someone who has treated us to a meal, you cannot decline it, besides I ripped off your odhni so I have to make good the damage." He told her. "That was just a simple cotton garment, this is an extravagant suit of the finest silk and brocade." She said. "Baisa, we are Tazimi Sardars, the highest order of Rajput nobility of the Kachwaha clan, few others are allowed the privilege of wearing gold on the feet. A gift has to be in accordance to the status of the giver, I cannot gift you a simple cotton garment when you are a guest of my family." He explained to her patiently."I will accept it on two conditions, while I am here in the night you will sleep in my chamber, and you will take me for an all-day outing tomorrow." He was taken aback at her brazenness. "And will your father give you his blessings for your request?" He smirked as he spoke. 

"No one has to know, no one will. Kaki sa will ask for permission to take me on a visit to the shrine on the hill, you have to accompany us for my security. And no one knows what goes on inside these private apartments other than the owners, so the secret will be safe in the bedchamber. I just want to spend time with you, can't you see?" She pushed him on the bed and dropping off her odhni flung her arms around him. His inhibitions fled as soon as he eyed her inviting lips, closing his lips over hers as both drenched each other in their forbidden love. He longed to throw caution to the wind and claim her that very moment, nobody would disturb them, the owners would ensure that. Getting a grip over his raging heart he distanced himself a little. 

"Your offer is enticing, but we cannot do anything rash. I must leave now. Let me discuss with Samsher about the trip tomorrow, he needs to sort things out with your father first." His voice sounded distant."You are a treasure Bai sa, your future husband will be a lucky man. His eyes, his table, his arms and his bed will never suffer boredom. Save yourself for him." He whispered in her ears, still holding her close."I am looking at my husband right now, and I know he wants me as much as I want him. I will await you here tonight." She told him as she kissed him again. They lost track of time after that as he unstrung her choli to fling it aside, caressing her perky bosom with his hands and lips as gently as possible, taking care not to leave any marks. As he finally rose from above her he helped tie her blouse strings back, and left the chamber after sucking the nectar off her lips for one last time.