The heat of the Rajputana summer could not match the sizzle of the adaa of the nautch girl who struck an amatory pose on the Persian rug that was her stage for the stifling evening in the Rajput haveli. The hot dry breeze that blew into the mansion was cooled and scented by the water-misted vetiver (khus) screens that hung from the large windows. Expensive wine was being offered to the men in silver goblets while hookahs stood in attention for those who fancied them. Unlike the Lucknow courtesans who were fully clothed the Venus of this night was adorned in a saffron gold-worked lehenga, a sheer dupatta and a Malwa style short scarlet velvet choli that showed off the porcelain skin of her bare midriff and her navel to great advantage. Her jewels sparkled in the light reflected by a hundred lamps. She was of delicate countenance, having perfect facial symmetry and ethereal beauty.

Her alluring expressions and gestures complemented the thumri she sang, whose word play, with its flavour of purab ang or Brij bhasha extolled an amorous gopi's longing for Krishna. She was accompanied by musicians who were masters of the sarangi and tabla. Then she began to dance to the rhythm of the percussion and the private audience was mesmerised by her fluidity and grace. Her eyes flirted with the men, inviting them to experience an allure that could only belong in paradise. From the corner of her eye she surveyed the man at whose beckoning she had allowed herself to be summoned, without anyone else noticing her looking at him. 

Those watching her performance were in a trance, it was rare to find such a well-matched combination of beauty, talent and mystique. Every movement, every glance she cast toward them made the men worship her in their minds. On the other hand she resolved to pursue what she considered just payment for what she would have to offer before the night ended. Two women stood unnoticed behind a latticed balcony above the mehfil, and while one set of eyes were indignant the other more experienced pair saw what the men below had failed to see, though she maintained a dignified silence compared to the other young woman who stood fuming next to her. Finally, to prevent themselves from being discovered by her ranting Anokhi dragged Sanyukta into her bedchamber.

"Why Jija, why do our husbands have to bring in such an enticing dancing girl? I don't like it!" Sanyukta was upset. When she had fallen madly in love with Randhir during their journey with the caravan she had never imagined she would encounter unpalatable realities such as nautch girls in their lifestyle. "Sanyu, calm down! They are playing hosts to someone very important, and this girl has been invited here on his Farmaish. Some men have a weakness for practitioners of the seductive arts. Tara bai is a reputed courtesan, but she is willful and plays hard to get. If she has agreed to come she is probably going to demand a handsome compensation in return!" Anokhi tried to explain.

"But where is the need for it? Does this man not have a wife? How will she feel about him bedding a dancing girl?" Sanyukta spoke without realising how Anokhi would react to her words, because she was getting increasingly agitated. "Silly girl, of course he must have a wife, more than one possibly. Men who desire a courtesan are either looking for companionship their wives cannot offer or are seeking thrills of tasting the forbidden fruit. A courtesan, who is a woman of free will, is not placid like a wife who is brought up to remain understated in bed, so this proscribed experience is sought after by some men with erotic fantasies. Tara bai is very choosy about her clients, and this man must be important enough for our husbands to provide him her services."

"Officials like revenue collectors and inspectors are important for Thikanadars, it is custom to grant them favours to get a job done. This could be by way of money, gifts, food, liquor, the finest opium and the classiest comfort girls, depending on the men's palate. " Anokhi said. "But that is immoral, it is like paying a bribe!" Sanyukta remarked, clueless about political and administrative intrigue. "It is called quid pro quo, a favour for a favour. Please understand that for our husbands, managing their fief is a challenging business. There was always corruption in the past and it will be so in the future too, it is virtually impossible for a business to survive without feeding it. Lavishing favours is an unavoidable cost of managing your state and the trade within. For the happiness of one's subjects one has to pay the piper!" Anokhi asked the maids to prepare a scented bath for Sanyukta.

"That girl is meant to spend the night with the guest, but we must be presentable to welcome our own husbands into our night beds. Go soak in the refreshing bath, it will help you calm down and set the right mood as your husband feasts on your fragrant skin later tonight." Having sent Sanyukta to indulge herself in the luxury of her bath Anokhi returned to the vantage point of the screened balcony, watching for the opportune moment to intervene. Tara had finished her performance for the evening and retired into the private chamber assigned to her. Soon a visitor's arrival was announced, and a man carrying a nazrana was shown inside and the door shut behind him. 

As Anokhi watched, she hesitated. She was not sure if it would be proper to intervene personally, but her loyalty toward someone she cared very much helped her gather courage as she stole her way to the place she had to be in, although heavily veiled. She could not afford to be seen there and recognised. She hid in the shadows, concealing herself as quietly as she waited patiently, the door remained shut for longer than she wished it to. After a few minutes her patience was rewarded. The door swung open and the young man stepped out cautiously. She stepped forward before him and he was startled for just a moment. "I hope you will be discreet enough and avoid mentioning this to your sister, Bhabhi sa. She is too inexperienced to rationalise it. It is a transaction born out of necessity, not will." Randhir said to her softly. 

"As long as you do not give reason for me to intervene I will not, but she is my sister and her interest is my own. Please remember that!" She replied, as she turned around toward the stairs that would lead to her corridor. But the moment she noticed that Randhir had joined the men in their bountiful feast she traced her steps back into the room she had been near, and after a cursory knock she entered the room unannounced and shut the door behind her. The sight before her made her uneasy. The nazrana lay untouched on the side upon a table and the courtesan lounged on her belly on the ruffled sheets of the bed, her torso laid bare with her choli flung on the floor. She had been relieved of her more cumbersome jewels, leaving her with her large jhumkas, bracelet and anklets attached to her toe rings, as she lay curling her toes, her telltale tousled tresses a dead giveaway. This was a scene set for a seduction that was to come or had just taken place.

"I am not used to having veiled women enter my chamber surreptitiously, it is usually a man who is led in with an intention to ravish my person." The woman sat up as she faced Anokhi, her firm shapely breasts tipped with nubs that would immediately evoke dark desire in a man. "What is your business with Kunwarji sa?" Anokhi's voice was firm but unemotive. "What business can a courtesan have with a man other than the give and take of pleasure?" Tara smirked as mischief twinkled in her eyes."Don't get ahead of yourself Najma bai, you were called here with the purpose of seducing a different man, not the man who wanted it done!" Anokhi spoke and an uncomfortable silence prevailed for a minute before the other woman spoke.

"You must be the wife of the Bade Kunwarji, I heard the Chhote Kunwar's wife is your little sister. There's more to you than meets the eye Baiji sa, how else would you address me as Najma?" She was being cautious, the woman before her could have more aces up her sleeve. "You are a renowned courtesan, your fame precedes you.  Your Arabic name is not that big a mystery. We have our sources, just like you have yours. Anyway, I am here to remind you of professional ethics. It is hazardous for a tawaif to be charmed by a kharidaar, as you must be aware of the basic tenet of the business. A broken heart is not worth invoking the wrath and jealousy of your influential admirers." Anokhi drove her point home.

"Both of us know that you are being protective of your sister here!" Tara spoke with a smile. "I would stay and chat longer but I cannot, just stay away from Chhote Kunwarji sa, my sister's happiness means the world to me Najma bai, and I will not see her interest being harmed." Anokhi turned to leave the chamber. "A Rajput noble chooses his own bedmates Baiji sa, I am sure you know that, one aanchal cannot enslave him for life, there are many more fish in the ocean for him. You spoke about my business ethics, then you must also be aware that the accomplished courtesan does not vie for any man's attention, it is always the man who wants to be seduced by her!" Anokhi wished she had not heard those words, they only confirmed her worries.

Jo dikhta hai woh hamesha sach nahi hota, naaraz mat hona yeh part padhkar, Randhir did not cheat on Sanyukta, rest assured :)