"I can assure you, that woman was an imposter, father. She was just a scandal-monger, having come here to create trouble for us, she was probably hoping to make some hush money!" Sameer put up a stronger defence now that the insinuator of his misdeeds had exited the scene. Not once during her presence with them had Meera cast a glance at him, acting almost as if he was invisible. This perturbed him to no end, how could she have ignored him?

"I believe you, my son. A woman from a reputed family would never display her visage so shamelessly in the presence of a male audience. And if her virtue had been compromised any girl with a sense of honour would rather die than admit before a congregation that she has been bedded by several men. No, she could not possibly be who she claimed to be, I suggest we stick to our schedule." Sanyukta's father assured Sameer and his father that he was not affected by the drama played out earlier.

"I am so glad you understood, I could not have expressed things better myself, that woman was indeed shameless to make such a confession in public. You made a prudent decision by not allowing her to sow the seeds of doubt in your mind. It would be proper for our families to be bound by this matrimonial alliance, I am sure we can only benefit from the bond in the future. But I hope your daughter does not need convincing separately." As Sameer's father said these words he sounded relieved that the matter had simply blown over and his family's reputation was intact.

"Not at all, my daughter is well brought up, she may have looked agitated while she encountered that woman but you can rest assured that she will not be affected by the tirade once I convince her. As I said before, the nuptials will happen tomorrow at the earliest available mahurat. I do not wish to face any more impediments." Sanyukta's father sealed her fate with these words. He walked toward where his daughter was sitting and asked the ladies accompanying her to leave them alone so that he could have a word with her.

"Sanyukta, how dare you come forth and speak to that disreputable woman? I wanted to slap you that very moment but for the others present. Nothing has changed, you wedding will take place tomorrow on schedule. You better be at your best behaviour, I do not want you doing anything that discredits my name." Sanyukta, who was hardly surprised to hear her father's words, chose to say nothing. She knew that a confrontation would be futile, he had made up his mind. For her father business interest preceded everything else, she could not expect anything different.

It was a classic case of the Emperor's new clothes. The wedding party belonged to the community that prioritised gain over the wellbeing of a woman. Everyone present had witnessed the unmasking of Sameer, yet not a word was uttered in defense of the woman who had identified herself as Meera. Instinct told her that Meera was telling the truth, she had felt the vibe. From the body language of both Sameer and his father who became increasingly hostile and defensive, it was obvious that they were trying to turn the tables on Meera, although Sanyukta was unsure what connection Meera had with Randhir. She kept the swatch of fabric Meera had slipped her concealed from prying eyes.

The moment she found solitude Sanyukta drew a lamp close to see what the piece of cloth had to reveal, she realised it was a map of the location on the bank of the Chambal where she was supposed to make her way unseen, and the hour after midnight was mentioned as the time for the rendezvous. Sanyukta memorised the map and then slipped the swatch inside her clothes, placing her jhumkas, bangles and anklets in her jewellery chest. She pretended to go to sleep early so the others would not suspect anything. She was glad to see others follow suit, the wedding rituals would begin early in the morning and people needed to get enough rest during the night. 

Sanyukta thought deeply about whether she was experiencing guilt for betraying her father's trust and she decided that she was not. After hearing Meera's confession about how heartlessly Sameer had sold her to the trafficker as he had his second wife, if her own father was still willing to get her married off to such a man, she had taken the right decision about forging the destiny of her choice. Her only apprehension was whether or not she could trust a stranger like Meera, but she knew she could not escape a doomed marriage to Sameer if she missed the chance tonight.

She knew instinctively when to rise. She got up without making a sound and slipped outside through the rear of the venue, carefully dodging the sentry just like she used to whenever she went to meet Randhir. Once she was out of the sentry's sight line and earshot she darted like a deer running from a predator. As her eyes got accustomed to the dark she tried to get her bearings from her memory of the map she was given. She continued to rush toward the indicated site on the river bank and was happy to see the stone marker as had been drawn on the map.

She paused near it and tried to see if there was anyone there. She was startled to see what she had assumed was a bush come alive, it was a man who asked her to maintain silence by placing his finger over his lips. She did not recognise him and was a little disappointed because she had hoped it was Randhir. "We need to swim the distance around the bend of the river where the boat is waiting, unseen by the sentries. It will be quicker because we are going along the tide, the land route is more arduous and there is the fear of wild animals. Quick, tie your odhni securely and get into the water after me." The man whispered to her urgently.

Sanyukta was nervous initially not knowing what awaited her next, but she shook off her hesitation and followed the man into the water. He swam ahead and she followed in his wake, as swiftly as she could. So this is why Randhir had taken the pains to teach her swimming, she thought. She hoped she could maintain her stamina as she moved her limbs. There was a difference between learning with Randhir and actually trying to swim untiringly toward her freedom, this was harder than she had imagined. She hoped that the boat was not moored far away, and continued to swim slowly but steadily.

When they sighted the boat she had a goal ahead of her and she invoked all her strength as she swam toward it. When they reached the moored boat, the three men in it cast off the mooring line while helping to haul both Sanyukta and the other man onboard. After they cast off they rowed rapidly and Sanyukta tried to squeeze the moisture out  of her hair and clothes. It was a warm night and her wet clothes were actually a relief as they helped cool her body down. One of the men handed her some ginger and licorice candy saying it would prevent her from catching a cold. 

As much as she tried to stay awake she succumbed to sleep, hardly realising that she had been sedated so that she could be kept hidden. A woman being rowed by a boatful of men could be conspicuous, especially in the night. By the time her eyes opened it was already broad daylight, she was in the back of an ox-driven canopied wagon in a completely unfamiliar set of clothes and the woman called Meera sat next to her with a bright smile on her face. Sanyukta blinked her eyes and Meera gave her some water to drink, followed by some dried figs, raisins and almonds. 

"Call me Anokhi. I was recently married to Parth Singh Shekhawat, Randhir's older brother. You were carried downriver by the boatmen who accompanied you, and you travelled overnight to reach the place where we had camped. I changed you into these clothes. Your own clothes were burnt to destroy evidence." Anokhi had a kind face and a soothing voice as she spoke to Sanyukta. "But where is Randhir and when will he meet me?" Sanyukta asked her, sounding worried. 

"He will come in a few days, he had to take another route.  His deviation was necessary in case your absence is officially reported. Travelling on his own, making his presence felt along the towns he passes through will give him the vital alibi he needs to prevent being accused of abducting you." Anokhi explained. " After Randhir joins us we will get the two of you married, you would like that now, would you not?" She smiled at Sanyukta who blushed. "Cannot wait for that day! Can I call you Jija?" She asked her. "Of course you can, remember from now on, we are sisters. You and I have new identities, starting now your  official name is Saloni baisa, I hope that you like it!"