When the bridal palanquins arrived, the women of the Shekhawat family welcomed the three brides with aarti and tilak. Sanyukta and Anokhi waited until Ratnavali tipped the measure of rice placed on the threshold of the haveli's majestic entrance. Anokhi followed Ratna confidently while a nervous Sanyukta watched. This was the moment she had been dreaming of for several months, even before she ran away from her father's camp to marry Randhir. 

The family waited in anticipation as she put her right foot forward and gently tipped over the measure of rice. This ritual known as Griha Pravesh marks the entry of a new bride in her marital home as a harbinger of prosperity. While she tried to skirt around the pile of three measures of rice to enter the haveli she almost lost her balance and Randhir, who had been watching her like a hawk, rushed forward and steadied her with his strong grip. 

"Don't be nervous, you will be fine. Just stay close to Anokhi Bhabhi sa and follow her example during the rituals!" He said quickly before leaving her to join the gathering of men. Sanyukta breathed a sigh of relief, it would have been embarrassing to trip and fall while taking her first few steps in her new home. Through her gauzy veil she stole glances around her and saw that the haveli was grander than she had expected. It had been ornately decorated for the occasion. After bowing to the elders respectfully the three brides followed the women to the massive Zenana hall. 

The brides were led to the seating arrangement. Ratna was seated in the centre while Anokhi and Sanyukta were led to their places on the side. Sanyukta noticed the regal bearing of Randhir's mother, stepmother and other women of the family who had drawn back their veils now that they were no longer in the presence of men. Sanyukta didn't have to second guess who Vidushi was,  she was easily the best dressed woman in the gathering and was stunningly beautiful. She hugged Ratna affectionately and chatted with her briefly before walking over to Anokhi and Sanyukta. 

"Which one of you sisters is which? I am Vidushi, the Kulavadhu of the haveli and it is my duty to welcome the two of you formally." Her tone was cordial but she came across as someone who was used to taking charge. "I am Anokhi, and this is my younger sister Saloni, the bride of Devarji sa! It is our honour to meet you and the family finally, we have heard so much about everyone." Anokhi introduced them and greeted Vidushi cordially. 

"I hope you heard good things!" Vidushi laughed as her eyes took in the veiled form of Anokhi. So this was the woman who she would have to share her husband with, Vidushi thought, trying to size her up. "Ratna mentioned that you took good care of her, I appreciate that. You can imagine how attached I am to my younger sibling." Vidushi smiled. "Of course! Ratna Baisa is quite a vivacious young lady." Anokhi smiled back politely. She was experienced enough to maintain restraint, she could tell Vidushi was trying hard to assess her. 

"The maids told me that you convinced Ratna to let them take care of the monkey. I am surprised how attached Ratna has become to a wild creature, I heard she would not part with it. Considering Ratna is someone who enjoys shikar very much this development is rather new! Anyway, your sister is beginning to show. I am guessing the baby should arrive in winter, just as the Roheda begins to bloom in the Rajputana desert." Vidushi rambled on in an attempt to get Anokhi to unwind. 

"Your sister has a compassionate side. I am sure she will make a brilliant parent in the future." Anokhi carefully veered the conversation back to Ratna until Vidushi was called away. Meanwhile the other women fussed over Ratna whom they knew as Vidushi's sister. Randhir had warned Sanyukta that there would be a difference in the welcome extended to the three brides owing to their status by birth. She turned towards Anokhi and was about to whisper something to her when Anokhi gestured her to stop because there was a lady approaching them, accompanied by a young girl.

"I am Gehna, and this is my daughter Sukhmani. I welcome you as the newest members of the family." She said to them with a warm smile. Although she was dressed like the other women it was obvious that her position as a concubine was lower in the hierarchy compared to that of the Rajput wives. She knew that Anokhi and Saloni were junior wives while Vidushi and Ratnavali;  had the privilege of being the chief wives of their respective husbands. It was easy for her to empathise with their lot. "The family may not treat us as their equals but you will have comfortable lives as long as you have your husband's favour!" Her last line was whispered.

"Thank you, my sister Saloni and I are happy to make your acquaintance. My name is Anokhi. Your daughter is quite adorable. How old is she?" Anokhi enquired politely. "She is going to be eight in a few months. I am hoping to find a good match for her soon, if she marries into title  she may rise to a place higher than her mother's." Gehna Bai reiterated the significance of status accorded by birth in the Rajput Zenani deorhi.

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the ghoomar dancers who had been engaged for the evening. It was a tradition for the ghoomar to be performed on occasions like weddings. In another part of the haveli the men's mehfil would feature entertainment of a less staid nature and pretty courtesans with bells on their feet would present the mujra as the guests enjoyed their wine and hookah. The ghoomar girls were dressed in colourful long flowing ghagras and veils. 

They were accompanied by female drummers called dholans who struck a lively beat as the dancers began to twirl around themselves and moving in a circle, bending and swaying their arms to the sound of the drums. The folk singers who sat beside the dholans sang about various themes such as folk legends of Rajputana, the longing of lovers and the lament of wives whose husbands were far away. The dancing went on for a few hours, the performers encouraged by the women of the family offering them gifts of money every now and then.

After the dancers wrapped up the family stepped in for the pagelagni rasam. The brides were formally introduced to each lady present who gave them rich gifts of clothes, accessories and cash before seeing them unveiled. The mother-in-law presented each bride with jewellery appropriate to her status. Anokhi and Sanyukta were given gold necklaces beautifully encrusted with uncut rubies and emeralds. 

The ensemble presented to Ratnavali included a choker and another longer necklace, earrings and bracelets which had large diamonds, rubies and pearls set in green enamelled gold. The pieces had been handcrafted by the best artisans from Jaipur and the women gathered around to admire the jewellery. Anokhi, Sanyukta and Gehna exchanged knowing looks. "You'll get used to this. Some traditions don't change over time!" She added in a hushed tone, giving Sanyukta's hand a friendly squeeze. 

  "We don't mind, we understand the circumstances. Unlike her we didn't bring a rich dowry!" Sanyukta replied. Being accepted was more important to her. Fortunately their story about being sisters of the Rajput guardsman had not been challenged. In fact being considered of unequal rank offered them a tangible advantage, they would not be perceived as a threat to the power equation in the women's apartment. "I am happy to see you handling things maturely. Other brides would be distressed. As long as we don't challenge their authority we can co-exist peacefully." Gehna advised.   

Dinner was announced and the family and guests sat down to a regal feast served in silver thalis and bowls. Anokhi requested for a vegetarian thali to be served to Sanyukta. This was not seen as unusual as many Rajput women were vegetarian by choice or family tradition while others enjoyed eating meat, especially game like partridge and pheasant. There were several dishes of meat including laal maas, kesar murg, hari mirch ka murg and kheema kofta. The vegetarian specials included malai kofta, ker sangri, gatte ki sabji, panchmel dal and boondi raita. 

  There was a large selection of sweets such as churma laddoo, mawa misri, imarti, ghevar and moong dal halwa. Sanyukta enjoyed her first meal in her sasuraal thoroughly. She had been ravenously hungry because of her pregnancy and the haveli cooks had outdone themselves to do complete justice to the meal. After dinner the brides were led to their apartments while the guests continued to chat with each other. By the time Randhir returned from the mehfil Sanyukta was in deep slumber, still dressed in her bridal clothes though she had taken off her heavy jewellery. As he got into the bed next to her she put her arm around him instinctively and he pecked her on her forehead before falling asleep himself.