Sanyukta returned from her bath with a heavy heart, Randhir and Parth were scheduled to set off on their journey in a couple of hours. As the maids helped to dry her hair and don her dress she moped, wondering how Anokhi could remain so composed when even she would have to endure separation from Parth. On fact he was on his way to meet his Chief wife Vidushi and their first born child. Sanyukta wished she could be as patient and stoic as Anokhi. 

Her eyes fell on the bed and she was amazed to see the display laid out on it- there were green and red silk ghaghra choli sets with leheriya odhnis, colourful bangles, a large vial of attar of roses, the finest Marwari powdered henna, kohl, vermillion, enamelled gold hair ornaments and a set of exquisitely carved combs. "Are the gifts to your liking?" Randhir entered the bed chamber dismissing the maids who retreated from the room shutting the heavy ornate door behind them.

  "Gifts? What is the occasion now?" She asked, looking surprised and placing the gifts carefully into her sandook. "Sawan ki Teej will be here soon. It is a custom in Rajputana for all married women to receive gifts from their parents and their in-laws. Traditionally women visit their natal home for the occasion but since that is not possible for us, both Bhabiji sa and you have been given these things so that your Teej can be as festive as possible!" Next Randhir handed her a carved sandalwood box and she opened it to reveal a set of jadau bracelets encrusted with uncut diamonds. "For me?" She asked, with a sparkle in her eyes.   

"No, they are for your would-be souten!" He smirked to see her frown. "Obviously they are for you, all these things are gifts for your first Teej as a married woman!" He smiled as she hugged him. "These bracelets are so beautiful, I love the enamel work! But these must be quite expensive!" She blurted out without thinking. "You are the wife of Randhir Singh Shekhawat, did you expect some cheap trinket instead?" He sounded indignant, causing her to flush with embarrassment. "Thank you for all these lovely things, but I'd much rather have your company instead. Take me with you, please!" She whispered, her arms snaked tightly around him.

"We've discussed this already my dear, if I could take you I would, but Bhaisa and I are not headed homeward, we are going to escort Badi Bhabhiji sa and the new baby from her parents' place. It is not proper for you to accompany me there before your Griha Pravesh in my father's haveli!" He reminded her gently but firmly, only to cause a cascade of tears run down her cheeks. "Make love to me!" She interjected. "We cannot dear, I am already being awaited!" He tried to pacify her. "I don't care about that, make love to me just now!" She persisted, untying his angrakha strings as well as stepping out of her own ghagra.

"Don't you love me? I am asking for just a few moments of intimacy before I prepare myself to become a grass widow!" She spoke, fresh tears forming on her eyelids as she pushed him on the bed urgently and straddled him, peeling her kurti over her shoulders. "I will be back before you realise it!" He said, distracted by her perky nubs that were taut due to her prodding. The sight was enough to arouse him. He flipped them and soon she was writhing under him, urging him to touch and taste her until he lost all control and they groaned together as he laboured on, calming down as soon as he had erupted like molten lava inside her. 

"I don't know how I am going to manage without you!" He whispered just before someone knocked on the door. "Bade Kunwarji sa wants to see you!" The maid said anxiously, knowing fully well what she would be interrupting. "I must join my brother for the midday meal, and then we will set off." Randhir said, giving her a sloppy kiss. In a couple of minutes both were dressed and Sanyukta followed Randhir to Anokhi's apartment where two platters were set for the two brothers. Sanyukta pulled the ghoonghat low over her face and joined Anokhi, who was supervising the meal service. 

The lunch was a simple affair of bajra roti and gatte ki subzi, as a heavy meal was not recommended before horseback riding. Anokhi asked the maids to ensure that both the dry and cooked food ration were readied and tied into bundles for the men to carry along with them. Parth gave some important instructions to his staff and his wife while Randhir oversaw the arrangements for the journey. Just before they crossed the door jamb with their sheathed swords on their waists Anokhi gave them some sweetened yoghurt, a ritual performed whenever someone left home for a journey. 

"Baisa, Rajput women never shed tears when their men leave their homes, it affects the men's morale!" Parth reminded Sanyukta who was undeniably affected by Randhir's imminent departure. "Send us off with smiles and we will be back soon to take you home to our parents!" This time he addressed Anokhi who linked Sanyukta's palm in hers, dragging her along to bid the departing men farewell. "Bhabhi sa, I trust you will watch over my child bride, if you do I will be eternally grateful!" Randhir said to Anokhi before mounting Pawan. "Don't worry, Saloni is more my child than my sister, you two have a safe and pleasant journey!" She called after them just before they rode off. 

Both the women rushed to the roof of the house so that they could see the brothers and the guards who accompanied them ride toward the horizon. Long after the dust clouds settled behind the departing men Anokhi led Sanyukta indoors. The maids served them their lunch but Sanyukta could only down a few morsels before losing her appetite. "If you eat like a sparrow you will vanish before your husband returns and then he will hold me responsible. Come on, open your rosebud mouth now!" Anokhi commanded the tear-stained Sanyukta before force-feeding her the remaining lunch. 

That night Sanyukta insisted on sleeping in Anokhi's bed. "I cannot sleep in that room without my husband!" She declared to Anokhi who smiled understandingly. "Jija, where will they camp for the night?" Sanyukta mumbled, her mind filled with Randhir's thoughts. Probably at some serai or dharamshala. "I am sure he is also thinking about me!" She said dreamily. "At night yes, he must be missing your arms, though during the day he will have other things to focus on! Sleep my dear, so that you may dream of your lover, or at least of your first Sawan Ki Teej when we shall apply henna, dress up like brides, enjoy  swings under trees and feast on ghevar and malpua!" Anokhi coaxed Sanyukta to sleep before slumbering off herself.