Sanyukta woke up the next morning to find Randhir missing from their bed. The sun had already advanced his journey in the eastern sky and she rued the fact that she had missed the first sunrise following her wedding night, because Randhir had told her that the view of the rising sun from the room's window was breathtaking.She had obviously overslept, the carnal adventure that had taken its toll on the lovers the previous night leaving them drained and she had fallen into a sound sleep afterwards, helped by the cannabis in the paan of which she had no clue of.

She did experience its slight after effects though; she had a hint of numbness and a dull headache which she assumed was because of the lack of sleep and her over-enthusiastic participation in their lovemaking. The maids tidied the room and made the bed, helping Sanyukta with her bath and dressing her hair after she donned a fresh set of silken clothes. Just then Anokhi let herself into the chamber with another helper who bore a tray of some fresh fruit, milk and snacks. Anokhi ensured that she referred to Sanyukta as Saloni before the staff and she asked them to leave the chamber once their chores were done.

"Jija, where is Randhir?" Sanyukta asked her. "Hush, silly girl! Make sure nobody hears you refer to him or any other member of the family without the proper honorific. You are the wife of a Rajput Thikanadar's son now, start behaving like a noblewoman!" She said. "So many rules, do this, don't do that, I am going to suffocate. And I hate these kurtis, they cover every square inch of my upper body, I want to wear my own cholis. At least they would leave my back exposed in this searing heat!" Sanyukta whined. She was unaccustomed to the dry heat that was typical to the desert state. "Remember that the rules are stricter for Ranis/queens of a Raja than they are for noblewomen. No more backless cholis for you, this is Rajputana and Rajput women must observe proper Purdah etiquette!"

"Nobody but your husband and the davri/maid that helps you bathe and dress should have the privilege of seeing your body. Watch how you conduct yourself henceforth; we are always surrounded by staff who will gossip if they suspect our background. If we are not careful word will reach our in-laws without our knowledge and they may speculate upon our upbringing. Do you want your husband's reputation to be at stake? Honour the maryada that your chunari, chooda, rakhdi, sindoor, nath and bichiya (toe-rings) have set you. Never be seen without them nor defy your boundaries to earn respect as a dignitary's wife. The rules may seem stifling now but you will get used to them. Wives of important men of all times need to appear exemplarily dignified!"

"I am sure Devarji sa warned you about his family's lifestyle before you decided to elope. Since you married by choice you have to make an attempt to fit into our marital home. You will be surprised to know that noblewomen rarely cook meals because they have a pampered life. They bring their own davris from their natal homes when they marry, along with a huge dowry. The family's vegetarian kitchens are managed by the Maharaj or Brahmin cooks and the Mardana kitchen where meat is prepared is headed by chefs who are adept at cooking game or shikaar. Our husbands are used to eating meat regularly, and each meal including breakfast must include a dozen dishes or more." She explained.

"So what do the wives do if there is no work?" Sanyukta asked Anokhi who continued to speak. "They are always having new clothes made by their darjans (seamstresses) or buying jewellery from the jauharis. They play games with each other and have singers and dholans (drummers) to entertain them. Rest of the time they get massages and preen themselves to ensure that they are able to distract the husband from his other wives and concubines. Even bringing up children is the job of maids, but all occasions like festivals, weddings, birthday celebrations of family members are overseen by women. It keeps them occupied and out of mischief, otherwise they would plot and connive, with their loyal servants acting as spies, to uphold their own position and power."

"Children's ceremonies are supervised mainly by their mothers. I am unsure if Vidushi baisa will invite us to participate in these events for her children because unlike her we are not born to Thikanadars ourselves. The Gods may have chosen not to grant me the blessing of offspring but when your babies come I look forward to celebrate their birthdays, namkaran, chhedan, annaprashan, mundan and janev ceremonies with great splendour. I have learnt how to make children's clothes and I shall prepare an elaborate layette once your firstborn arrives." Anokhi turned her face to wipe her tears surreptitiously before Sanyukta could notice her emotional state.

She did not want Sanyukta to start her first day of married life on a pensive note, so she decided to distract her. "So did my darling sister manage to get any sleep last night or did Devarji sa keep you awake? Anokhi asked Sanyukta, who had thrown off her chunari the moment the staff left. "Jija, how wicked you are!" She blushed and embraced Anokhi who laughed to see her behave like a typical new bride. "Does that mean your husband was able to please you last night?" She was not going to miss the opportunity to tease her. "I am not telling, but I am sure he has no qualms about his wife's conduct in bed!" She tightened her grip around Anokhi, trying to hide her face.

"I am not your husband bawli, let go of me! I can see that he has marked your skin with his love last night!" Anokhi pointed out the hickeys to Sanyukta before the mirror. "And yes, he did seem a tad tired but quite happy when I had breakfast served to the brothers earlier. He mentioned that you may be exhausted and requested to let you sleep a little longer. I must say, my devar and devrani have made a pact last night to look after each other and I am completely jealous!" Anokhi smiled warmly. "Why, even your husband shows concern for you Jija!" Sanyukta was quick to point out.

"Mhari laado, we are lucky to have married for love. But don't be deceived, we will never be considered equal to their noble wives by their family. Anyway, we need not worry about that, right now I am as hungry as you are!" Anokhi uncovered the thaal to reveal moong dal kachoris, mirchi bada and amchoor ki chutney. They began with bananas and milk and then sampled the heavier fare. "This is already so filling, how do the men eat so many things then?" Sanyukta asked her. "The men usually eat together, away from the women. They have smaller portions of many things, but more meat and less starch, plus Mewa (dried fruit and nuts)." Anokhi continued.

"Variety on the thaal is an integral part of their wealthy lives. But when in combat they usually eat simpler food and roasted meats. Richer food would make them lethargic and less agile during battle." Sanyukta remembered that the meals cooked for Samsher and Randhir featured bajra rotis and game which was plentily available during their journey. The maids cleared away the breakfast things and Anokhi and Sanyukta occupied themselves with playing with the deer fawns that gambolled in the garden of the inner courtyard. "So adorable they are!" Sanyukta remarked. "Mercifully they are tame; otherwise they would be in the roasting pit! Anokhi laughed as Sanyukta blanched.

"Maybe we can make our husbands stop eating meat!" She said to Anokhi. "Or maybe you should start eating meat! Even I used to balk like you at the sight of meat but later I began relishing the flavours!" Anohki repled. "Looks like our husbands are back after their ride!" Anokhi adjusted her ghoonghat asking Sanyukta to do the same. "Khamma ghani, Bhaiji sa!" Sanyukta greeted Parth. "Ghanni khamma baisa, is this residence comfortable enough for you?" Parth asked her. "It is quite comfortable but the heat is merciless!" She spoke the truth. Even the vetiver curtains sprayed with water, the punkha/fan and attempts to keep hydrated with buttermilk and lemonade were not enough to cool her.

"Randhir can take you for a dip in our indoor pool; you can cool off until before the midday meal. It is not advisable to be in the water after a heavy meal. The staff will be on guard to ensure you have complete privacy." Parth winked at Randhir who grinned back. Soon the newlyweds were together inside the cool water, enjoying the solitude of the sanctum, their clothes neatly bundled on the side. The pool was just big enough to swim and Sanyukta was happy that it brought her immense relief. "There is a freshwater reservoir built beneath the floor, we never run out of water even during the height of summer. And the well outside has springs that never run dry. You must remember that water is a precious resource here." Randhir informed her.

"I missed you while you were gone!" She whispered to Randhir as he held her close. "Get used to it my dear, in a few days Bhaisa and I will have to travel to Vidushi Bhabhi sa's father's thikana, I have to be there personally to greet the first baby in the next generation. We must accompany both mother and baby back to our parents ceremonially. Unfortunately Chhoti Bhabhi sa and you cannot travel with us because your Grihapravesh will happen on a chosen auspicious day sometime after that. I will personally escort the two of you to our Haveli once the baby had been moved there."

He kissed and nuzzled her to see her fallen face, his hands exploring her hungrily. "How can I keep myself sane when Venus herself is in my arms in her unclothed glory?" His voice was hoarse and his eyes dark. "Not here Randhir, it is too open!" She whispered back. "Nobody will dare to come in unless they are summoned, you can relax!" He assured her. "Take me back to our chamber, I am not comfortable doing anything here." She declared. "Your wish is my command milady!" He said to her dramatically and soon they were back in the chamber, away from prying eyes, free to worship the Gods of love and passionate desire without worrying about unsolicited witnesses.