It had been a few days since Randhir met the merchant caravan close to the Hadoti region on the bank of the Chambal river. Sanyukta, who had pined for him while he was gone, rejoiced in her heart but was forced to keep her feelings to herself because Samsher had warned her to maintain distance from her lover. They were forbidden from meeting in private or talking to each other to avoid compromising the plan. She had no clue what to expect and had no choice but to trust Randhir. It took him every ounce of his willpower to avoid her even when he longed to embrace her and kiss her breathlessly to compensate for the time they had lost.

To prevent weakening of his resolve he shunned her completely. Both were miserable with the forced separation. To make matters worse the caravan had already reached its final destination as far as the Bundelkhand guard was concerned. Sanyukta's father summoned Samsher for settlement of dues for the guard duty, although he cleverly avoided any mention of the compensation for the family of the man who died defending his wealth and people. While Randhir accompanied Samsher, he was forbidden to react, being forewarned by Samsher not to stretch the matter as it was certain that the Baniya would never part with the money, compassion was not a quality he was known to possess. 

Randhir's eyes flashed angrily as an impotent rage began building inside him, making him even more determined to teach the Baniya a lesson he would remember for life. He would need to await his turn patiently, he could not afford to do anything rash or he could forget about rescuing Sanyukta and marrying her. He swallowed his pride for the time being and turned his face into an impassive mask as they said goodbye to the Baniya, thus formally relieving themselves from their professional obligation. The Baniya was supposed to be provided protection henceforth by mercenaries hired by his business associate Mittal, and those men took over the guard duty from Samsher's men.

As Samsher's men readied themselves for departure by breaking camp, Randhir decided on a last ditch effort to say goodbye to the girl who was besides herself from worry. A secret message was passed to the Baniya's daughter and she rushed to the Shiva temple unaccompanied where Randhir was already present, offering prayers. She stood nearby facing the temple garbhagriha with her arms folded. Randhir placed a little leaf cup with some turmeric ubtan in it and whispered his message to her without glancing in her direction. This haldi has touched my skin, make sure you anoint yourself with it before another man has the opportunity to send you his haldi. A few days of waiting and we will be united, take care of yourself until then!" 

He had delivered his words of assurance. "I trust you, take care, will miss you very much!" She whispered back, not daring to look in his direction. He turned around and left to go briskly. She picked up the haldi cup and hid it in her odhni, and turned to go to her side of the camp. When she was sure nobody was looking at her she dipped her fingers in the haldi and smeared it in the area near her heart, this way her bond with him would be reinforced and also the turmeric would not visible to anyone else. She would keep the rest hidden and smear it on her skin before her next bath, if anyone questioned her she could say that it was a body scrub for exfoliation.

Her anxiety turned to despair as she watched Randhir ride away on Pawan from the camp area, and in a few minutes the horseback guard had vanished, leaving behind a cloud of dust. The heat of the impending summer suddenly became apparent to her. She recalled the months of winter that had provided the backdrop for her budding romance with the young Shekhawat. It seemed like in his wake he had left the searing heat to dessicate her depressed soul further. She remembered how he had waited till the advent of spring to start her swimming lessons so she would not have to brave the icy cold water in wintertime. She knew nobody around her would understand the agony she was in, because she could not open up about her longing.

There was not a single person in her camp who had allowed themselves to fall passionately in  love with someone, nor had someone love them back as much as Randhir had to her. He had been gone for so long and when he returned a few days ago he simply refused to acknowledge her. She found the forced separation frustrating and often took to pounding chutneys and masalas so she could dissipate some of the frustration. Soon she would have to face the dreadful prospect of being given away in marriage to the man her father had chosen for her but she had never wished for. The father of the groom was already present, having arrived earlier to meet her father. The boy himself would arrive the next day and the rituals would begin immediately.

The next day after Sameer's arrival, Sanyukta's father received him cordially. The Teeka ceremony took place at an auspicious hour. It commenced with a puja being performed by Sanyukta's father and Sameer. The male members of the bride's family did the teeka on Sameer's forehead, after which Sameer and his family were presented with gifts, fruits and sweets. After the Teeka ceremony, the groom's family gave gifts, jewellery, shringar items, clothes and sweets for Sanyukta, placing them in her lap. Because she has drawn her odhni over her forehead concealing her eyes nobody could notice the inner turmoil that the beautifully decked-up girl was experiencing. 

The women in her family began applying henna patterns on her pale palms, arms and feet to augur in the auspicious occasion. Sanyukta sat still, not uttering a word to anyone as the henna began staining her fair skin. She had caught a glance of her intended and she was now certain that this was not the man she wanted to spend even a minute with. Something about him was clandestine and surreptitious, as if he had several things to hide from the world. All of a sudden the guard announced that a certain lady wanted to meet the groom's father urgently. After some deliberation she was asked to come in. The woman walked in a dignified manner, holding her head high under her veil. As she stood before the groom's father she slowly lifted her veil, revealing her face. As soon as they saw her the blood drained away form the faces of the Sameer and his father.