"Bhabhiji sa, you wanted to speak to me?" Dawn was just breaking and the sky wore copper streaks in the east amidst a smattering of rain clouds. Anokhi had asked Randhir to meet her hinting at sharing something confidential. She was specific about not involving Sanyukta, making Randhir wonder what the matter was. It was unusual for Anokhi to do anything without Sanyukta's knowledge. Over the months they had bonded so well that nobody could suspect that Anokhi and Sanyukta were not siblings,  but rather strangers who had been brought together by a stroke of luck. 

"This letter was delivered by a dispatch rider much before we received word of your arrival. It carries the news of your wedding to Ratnavali Baisa." Anokhi handed him the note. Frown lines formed on Randhir's forehead to read the contents. "I can assure you that this letter was not sent by any of us!" He remarked. "I realised that when I got the mail you sent, it had your seal as proof of veracity. I wonder who sent the previous letter without your knowledge and why, someone was obviously eager to convey the news of the wedding in a hurry!" Anokhi looked worried. "You should have told me about this the moment I got here, this is no ordinary incident, Bhabhiji sa!" 

"From what I infer this letter was delivered just a day after the wedding. No dispatch can travel that quickly, it would take relay riders four days to get here. There is only one explanation. Someone used a homing pigeon to get the news across to a recipient nearby who then sent this note to the haveli." Randhir looked restless, he wanted to get to the bottom of this issue as soon as possible. "But who can do this and why?" Anokhi was equally concerned. "Obviously someone who was very upset about my second wedding. There was only one person present besides me who strongly disapproved, she did her best to disrupt the proceedings. This hasto be Tara's handiwork, she often uses pigeons to communicate!" Randhir fumed.

Randhir summarised before Anokhi the events preceding the wedding; beginning with his turning down Tara's bold proposal and her being snubbed by Vidushi. "It bothers me Devarji sa that she is a woman spurned! She is obsessed with you and resents Sanyukta. She has attempted to drive a wedge in your relationship, assuming she stands a chance to replace Sanyukta. Fortunately I delayed breaking the news of your marriage to Sanyukta because I did not want her stressed for days before you arrived. There is no predicting to what length Tara may go to seek retribution. If I am not mistaken she can be dangerous to both Sanyukta and Ratnavali, assuming she perceives both as her rivals." Anokhi's instinct told her that Tara's obsession could make her adopt desperate measures.

"She is a woman Bhabhiji sa! I cannot teach her a harsh lesson, warrior's code prohibits me from harming a woman. And I don't have enough men here for this haveli's security detail. We must come up with an idea to deal with Tara in the most optimal way possible!" Anokhi agreed with him, they had to think out of the box. Finally they came to a consensus. Before Sanyukta woke up Randhir had travelled miles away in the direction of the person he had to see urgently. Anokhi insisted that he make the journey, confiding in him her strategy for dealing with Tara. Randhir was not convinced easily considering the risk involved but he left instructions with Anokhi to commence packing. 

Because Tara knew their location the women were sitting ducks as long as they remained at the spot. To ensure their safety they had to leave town quickly, taking a circuitous route to their destination where there was adequate security. "But Jija, why did he set out without telling me where he was going?" Sanyukta was surprised to know that Randhir had left the haveli at dawn. It was not like him to keep things from her. "Apparently something urgent has come up. We need to begin our homeward march by afternoon. I have given instructions for travel preparations. Come, we must make haste. Let me inform Ratnavali Baisa about the plan." Anokhi left the flummoxed Sanyukta behind and went to Ratna's room. They had a quiet breakfast after which the kitchen was told to prepare a simple lunch for partaking before setting off on the journey.

It took Randhir some searching to locate the nondescript house that served as Tara's temporary residence. He asked the mulazim to send word to the lady of the house. "Baisa will see you in her room!" The mulazim led him to an inner room. Tara was lying on her belly  while a masseuse worked almond oil into her bare skin. "So you found me finally. I am sure your reason for coming here is compelling enough, though I  wonder what took you so long!" Her voice did not convey any surprise. "Let me wait outside until you are done!" Randhir remarked quickly, turning away. In a single glance he had seen enough. He could see her porcelain skin glistening, no wonder she was capable of driving men out of their mind.

"No, please stay! Kulsum is nearly done!" Tara responded quickly. Randhir looked the other way. Presently the masseuse left the room shutting the door behind her. "Please make yourself comfortable!" Tara called to him. He turned around to see that she was scrubbed, sponged off and dressed in a peach kaftan. "To what do I owe the honour of your visit?" She asked him, her eyes conveying hope. "You know why I am here, Tara! Your spat is with Vidushi and me, why did you involve the rest?" He knew he was treading on thin ice but he had to try to talk her out of her fixation. "Randhir, did you once stop to think what was taken from me that day? I lost the man I love, the family I am related to by blood, the place that was once my home and to add insult to injury I was humiliated by the person I was closest to in that haveli! Now don't say that I asked for it!" Tara's tone conveyed more hurt than bitterness.

"I cannot deal with rejection! Every man I've been with has been under my spell. It saps my self-esteem to be denied the attention of the one man I desire." She added. "What do you want Tara? Your cousin will ensure that you don't get entry into our home. I already have two wives to manage. Where do you fit into the scheme of things? You know I can never alienate my family nor can I take advantage of you without offering you something tangible in return." He knew his words made no difference, she already knew his position. "But you can always see me on the side. Nobody else needs to know. We can keep it our little secret and you can go back to your wives whenever you want. I promise I won't see another man if you agree to this deal!" Her desire was evident in her words.

"I need time to think Tara, my finances are tied with those of my father and brother. If you remain exclusively at my disposal I will be expected to maintain you. I need a few months before I have enough money to maintain a paramour. Moreover if Vidushi finds out she will unleash doomsday!" He chose his words with care, he needed to sound credible. "I don't understand your change of heart. The last time I offered myself to you I only got a snub in return. Now you speak of taking my responsibility. Something's not right here." Tara was not a fool, it was uncharacteristic of Randhir to warm up to her so effortlessly. 

"You are a high profile courtesan, Tara. I cannot be seen dallying with you openly, my father will cut off my allowance. But if you clean up your act in the next few months I may be able to convince my father and brother for our arrangement. By then the debacle of the wedding will have ebbed in intensity. I cannot take you on right now, I don't believe in claiming what is not mine rightfully. Let us wait and see what happens, then I can make my move. Do you agree or not?" He asked. "How do I know you are being honest? This may be your ploy to throw me off your trail!" She had enough experience with men. "Well, I have nothing more to add, I already told you what I had to. You are free to interpret things your way!" He rose and she stood up with him. 

"You were not interested in me earlier!" She was trying to assess his mind. "I thought you knew me. Only a sightless man can deny that you are attractive, Tara. But there is such a thing as decorum. I can never endorse a debauched lifestyle that our clansmen indulge in. If I have to take a woman under my wing she has to be respectable enough to patronise, it is a question of family honour! I will leave you to consider my proposal!" She followed him as he walked to the door. With a final nod of acknowledgment  he mounted his horse and galloped away. Tara watched him till he was out of sight and then she went into the house, lost in thought. Although she did not trust him he had managed to sow the seeds of hope in her mind. What's the harm in waiting, she assured herself!