"Sanyu, listen to me! Wailing and starving yourself is not helping the baby!" Anokhi had not left Sanyukta's side all day. Another dispatch rider had brought news the previous evening, taking Anokhi by surprise. He had no idea about the previous message that she received a few days ago. According to this latest message Randhir was riding to the haveli accompanied by his new bride and would reach them by the end of the same day. Anokhi had somehow managed to keep the news from Sanyukta while she oversaw the preparations for the formal welcome, but now it had become inevitable to share it with her in order to prepare her mentally to digest the reality of Randhir's second marriage. If she had not been warned previously she would definitely make a scene on his arrival.

"How could he do this Jija? We have not been married long enough for him to need another bride! How could he do this to me?" A fresh burst of tears erupted and Anokhi was glad the heavy inlaid door to the room was relatively soundproof when shut, otherwise the whole haveli would bear witness to the goings-on inside. "Listen to me Sanyu, you must compose yourself at once. Firstly your crying is unhealthy for the little one in your womb. Why are you punishing the innocent child when it is not his fault? Secondly, as wives of Rajput noblemen we are supposed to accept co-wives. If you continue to wail as if someone has died the whole haveli will gossip and wonder about our backgrounds. Do you want to blow the cover that our husbands had so meticulously devised?" She held the sobbing girl's face in her palms.

"But he told me that he loves me! Then how could he marry her? All men are devious bastards, the more fertile ground their ploughs are able to cover the merrier for them! Such a shameless lot! What if we wives decide to open our legs for other men? Will they accept it mutely like we are expected to share them with other women?" Sanyukta poured out her angst before the stoic Anokhi. "Look Sanyu, both you and I chose to marry Rajput men. When we did so we opted to accept their culture and traditions. Do you think Vidushi Baisa found it easy to accept her husband marrying me? But she obviously took it in her stride, just like other noble wives before her. It is the wives' lot to keep purdah and give the men sons to carry forward the clan. Please try and understand this, in all probability this marriage was arranged by his family, he would have had little say in the matter." She hugged Sanyukta to comfort her.

"You are a teenager yourself, and on your way to become a mother. You have your whole life ahead to enjoy your husband's companionship and unlike me you are lucky that you are going to be become a mother. We cannot change certain facts, we must learn to accept them, just like our husbands are forced to accept unpalatable customs and norms. Do you really think they willingly marry so many wives? Such matches are usually political alliances. To appease their woman's natal family they are expected to maintain these wives lavishly, whether or not they find them compatible. I am sorry to have to share a few facets of my unfortunate life as a tawaif with you, simply to make you see reason!"

 On my job I had  to pleasure both Hindu and Muslim nobles alike. And some even got close enough to confide in me. The reasons why men dally with their concubines and courtesans even when they have wives are complex. It is not as if they don't get enough sex from their wives to satiate their lust. A man I knew had fifteen wives and concubines, one for each day of a fortnight. But he still frequented the kotha because he was fed up of the intrigue, the jealousy and the plotting that went on among his women, who were always trying too hard to grab his attention. Each wife looked for ways to detract him from enjoying another. He found the bed of a tawaif more appealing because it meant no strings attached. He could be himself in the arms of a courtesan, who did not care about how much money or jewellery the other wives were being gifted or who was giving him male children."

"Men in our contemporary society are fickle; no matter which faith they adhere to! We think the Englishmen are true to their wives in monogamous marriages but the truth is many of them have native mistresses here or frequent nautch girls for the exotic experience. Some men are too old to do anything themselves, they prefer to watch others in action. And that's not all, some deviants have a sickening appetite for underage girls or even boys, there are brothels that cater to such taboos. Our husbands are quite decent in comparison. Devarji sa really loves you. When he arrives tomorrow make sure you receive him with the same love which he has accorded you when he made you his wife. And be sure to welcome the new bride graciously, technically her station is above ours. We owe it to her, according to Rajput etiquette!" Anokhi paused, wondering whether what she had spoken had made any impact at all.

"What you ask me to is easier said than done, Jija! What if she turns out to be more attractive and appealing than me? You think I can stop myself from being envious?" She asked in a morose tone. "I know for sure that Vidushi Baisa is really stunning, like poetry in marble. But my husband still married me. He did not worry that I was bringing him neither dowry nor inheritance. If you turn your back to your husband remember you are compromising your biggest support. A man can easily find another bed if yours turns cold for him. I am sure you are intelligent enough to not let your co-wife win over his attention by turning yourself into a ill-tempered shrew. The ball is in your court Sanyu, remember, their party gets here in just a few hours. Do whatever appeals to your sense of logic!" Anokhi told her with an air of finality.

Anokhi's advice did the trick and Sanyu braced herself to try and put up a cordial facade while receiving her husband and his newly wed bride. She bathed and dressed her hair with a lot of care, donning the traditional red and gold poshak. Red was the colour of passion and she planned to reclaim her man with her verve and youthfulness. She still had a nagging doubt, what if Randhir had already had his way with the new bride? She was hoping to spend the night with him. She felt she deserved to, having been deprived of his company while he was away getting remarried. Moreover she wanted to celebrate the conception of their baby with him. Even the thought of sharing her husband with the other woman was disturbing but Anokhi had forewarned her against exhibiting immaturity, lest it aroused people's suspicion.

Finally the moment she had been both anticipating and dreading simultaneously, arrived. She chose not to descend, and Anokhi took the onus of offering a ritual welcome to the newly wed couple, giving Ratnavali all the honour due to a bride of the family. As she performed the aarti and tilak Anokhi could see that Ratnavali was a mere child. She escorted her upstairs while Randhir left to wash off the fatigue of the journey. He noticed Sanyukta's absence and his heart sank a little. Meanwhile Anokhi summoned Sanyukta to be present while she performed obligatory rituals for Ratnavali. As Sanyukta sat down Ratnavali suddenly stepped forward and pulled the odhni off her head. "You are very pretty! My name is Ratnavali. Can we be friends? Here, meet my baby Ruma!" She smiled, showing off the sleepy baby monkey who was resting in a covered wicker basket.

"Panna, make sure Ruma is comfortable for the night!" Ratna handed the basket to the maid. The momentary confusion threw Sanyukta off balance. She had almost made up her mind to despise Randhir's other wife before she met Ratna. But now looking at this girl, who was not yet in her teens, she wondered how to react. Unable to process, she looked to Anokhi who directed Ratna to freshen up so that her dinner could be served. After the evening meal was eaten the family decided to go to bed early. To her relief Sanyukta did not have to wait too long. But just before Randhir entered her room he stopped by to chat briefly with Anokhi. "How is Sanyu doing Bhabhi sa?" He asked. Anokhi knew that his concern was twofold, he was worried both about Sanyukta's health during her pregnancy and about her reaction to his second wedding.

"She was a little upset naturally, that's all! She is managing fine so far. I must ask you to be gentle with her in bed, she is still a girl and this is her first pregnancy!" She issued a subtle warning. "I have missed Sanyu terribly but I am well aware of the risks Bhabhi sa, I promise I will be careful with her. Besides I don't want any friction between Ratna and her!" He expressed hope before bidding her goodbye. Knocking on Sanyukta's door, he pushed it open and shut the door behind him before approaching his love who looked radiant in her flaming red poshak. "How are you, Sanyu? I am so happy for both of us. You are glowing, which means you are coping well with your pregnancy!" He bent forward and kissed her on the abdomen.

"Baby, if you can hear me, this is your father speaking, I cannot wait till you are born. I missed both Mommy and you very much!" He caressed her belly as she reclined on the bed. "Congratulations on your wedding!" Sanyukta said softly. "I hope you understand Sanyu, I had no choice but to marry Ratnavali. Vidushi Bhabhi sa insisted on the match, and I was unable to work a way out of her emotional blackmail. There could be complications if I had not complied with the wishes of the family. Besides, Ratna is only a child yet!" He replied, his words underscored by sincerity. "Does that mean that you have not had your wedding night with her?" Sanyukta did not want to know the answer if it was affirmative, but she could not help asking him." Sanyu, she is just a kid and I am not a monster! How could you think that I bedded her?" He was truly repulsed by her question.

  "Someday in the future she will mature and then you will have no excuse left! By the way, thank you for the polki and emerald choker, it is quite beautiful!" She switched the topic. "You deserve it, my love! It is not a peace offering for marrying Ratna, it is a present for the mother of my baby for giving me such joy!" He smiled at her reassuringly. "Enough talk Randhir, make love to me now!" She commanded. "Are you sure? You look tired. Take rest, we can do this tomorrow." He found it hard to restrain himself but he was unsure about her physical and emotional state. She rose in response and cast her clothes off swiftly, letting his eyes take in her naked glory. She was just beginning to show a little bump on her otherwise flat belly. 

 "You denied me the privilege of undressing you!" He complained, taking her his arms. "Please be a bit careful!" She reminded him. "Of course, don't worry!" He said, as he prepped himself to give her as much pleasure as he could without putting pressure on her belly, letting his hands and lips explore her instead. As she moaned in response he stood at the edge of the bed, drew her hips toward him before entering her, thrusting as gently as possible, taking time to climax. In the faint glow of the lamplight he could see the expression of satisfaction on her face, and it made him happy. They cuddled and talked till she fell asleep and he followed suit, sincerely hoping that Sanyukta would not continue to bear negative feelings over his marriage to Ratnavali.