"I am bored. There is nothing to do here, there are maids for everything- to clean, to wash, to cook our meals and even to help us dress. This place is like a golden cage, there is no freedom of movement around the haveli. And you are busy all day, how am I supposed to pass my time?" Sanyukta complained to Randhir as she paced restlessly around the chamber. She walked around as much as she could and tried to do simple stretches without exerting herself. She was afraid that the rich food and lack of exercise would lead to an unhealthy weight gain.

"I fail to understand what you are complaining about. It is the ultimate dream of a girl to marry into title so she may enjoy the good life. Life in a palace is slow. Rajput wives are used to luxury. They are always having new clothes made, ordering jewellery and investing heavily in grooming themselves so that they can hold their man's attention. You will get used to it. And when our bundle of joy arrives you will have your hands full. Spend time with Anokhi Bhabhi sa, try to bond with the rest of the family." Randhir replied, pecking her on the forehead. Caressing her baby bump was his favourite pastime. 

"We do meet the family every now and then, especially Gehna Baisa and the adorable Sukhmani. She sings so beautifully. When she is not taking lessons from her mother she comes across to play with Jija and me. Sometimes Ratna Baisa sneaks in with Ruma to meet Sukhmani. Majee sa and Vidushi Baisa rarely step out of their apartments though we do meet almost daily while worshipping at the haveli mandir." Sanyukta replied diplomatically. She did not add that her relationship with Randhir's mother and Vidushi continued to be formal as Vidushi did not leave Anokhi and her much scope to get close to their mother-in-law, in order to safeguard her own position as the Kulvadhu of the household.

Sanyukta did not know it but Randhir was well aware of the intrigue in the women's rawala. The arrangement of multiple wives and concubines of two or more generations living practically under the same roof was hardly salubrious. It was natural to expect rivalry and kitchen politics in the constant tussle for one-upmanship. The highborn wives kept to their own kind while the concubines and junior wives stuck together united by their relatively lower status. The staff assigned to the rawala women often facilitated the divisiveness by carrying tales about the other wives. Randhir had warned Sanyukta about spies who observed every detail and reported back to their power-obsessed mistresses.

Suddenly an opportunity for an excursion presented itself a few days before rakhi. It was custom among Rajput wives to travel to their natal homes or to the thikanas of their cousins who were influential princes or nobles. While this was essentially an act of diplomacy that strengthened the family's ties among important clans it also served as an event for the women to be pampered and indulged with hospitality and rich gifts. Arrangements were made for Vidushi and Ratnavali to journey to the fief of their favourite cousin. Harshvardhan and his sons had already sent gifts of leheriya sarees and gold kangans to their own sisters who lived far away. They also observed the tradition of changing their janeu-sacred thread- on the occasion of rakhi.

Since Anokhi and Sanyukta had supposedly lost their brother and were distanced from their extended family Randhir suggested a short break to the shikaar kothi, the place located a few miles away and where the three brides had halted briefly before they were brought to the Shekhawat haveli. The sisters agreed immediately to the holiday plan, much to Parth and Randhir's amusement. The brothers took their parents consent and early next morning the carts set out carrying the two women, their maids and their luggage while the men rode alongside. By the time they reached the advance party had prepared a simple lunch of baati, panchmel dal, salad and smoked chaas. The haveli cooks had sent malai ghewar and boondi laddoos to be eaten as dessert.

While Parth and Anokhi opted to take a short nap after lunch Sanyukta insisted on walking around the place with Randhir. She was dressed in a comfortable suit of bandhej cotton, leaving out the heavy silk and mashru ghagras in her usual wardrobe. She only wore the marital tokens of chooda on her arms and rakhdi on her forehead, leaving her other jewellery in Anokhi's custody. For the few days that they were staying at the shikar kothi she wanted to experience freedom from the formal palace life that she found rather uninspiring.

The location of the shikar kothi was remote and opened into the forest. The monsoon had transformed the landscape visually. Blades of lush green grass poked their heads bravely across the rocky ground attracting a flock of grazing chital deer and peacocks who hardly paid heed to the two humans intruding into their territory. A male peacock preened around with his tail feathers spread in a resplendent fan in an effort to attract the attention of potential mates.

"How do you have the heart to hunt these innocent creatures?" Sanyukta remarked, noticing that some does were pregnant just like herself. 

"It is the warrior's dharma to fight against and kill the enemy in battle. Rajput boys train in weapons and combat soon after their thread ceremony. Hunts are a training exercise. After the animal is killed we are taught to skin and butcher it before cooking the meat. If one is squeamish about killing an animal how does one defend one's fief against an enemy attack? And we don't kill indiscriminately, like predators we only take what we need to consume. You know how much we relish game. Anyway I are not here to kill anything. Parth Bhaisa will arrange with the guards to haul in our requirement for the evening barbeque."

"There is roasted meat and liquor every night when we stay at the shikaar kothi. It is something the guards look forward to more than us. And if there are dancing girls to entertain what else would a man need?" Randhir laughed as his wife glared at him. They walked back slowly hand in hand, chatting all the way. When they reached the kothi Anokhi and Parth were already awake and Anokhi looked a little agitated. 

"Jiji, are you fine? What is the matter?" Sanyukta asked out of concern. Before Anokhi could answer someone walked in with the anklets on her feet announcing her arrival. Sanyukta's eyes widened when she noticed the visitor. Unlike the simple peasant clothes that she had on herself Tara was looked like she was dressed for a special occasion. Sanyukta recalled Randhir's recent words about dancing girls providing the evening entertainment. She had thought he was joking, she had not expected him to be telling the truth. Tara wore a triumphant expression on her face as she eyed Randhir who looked completely stunned at the intrusion. 

"Come on, don't everyone look so shocked to see me here. Randhir, I am assuming you haven't shared the news about our arrangement with your family so far. Never mind, don't bother. It will be my pleasure to do the needful." Randhir's brain sprung into action instantly trying to think of a way to deal with the current predicament. He had to act quickly before it was too late and Sanyukta was hurt.