The day following his big realisation, was mostly spent by Vayu wondering how he was going to make her want him.

Ideally, it shouldn't have been a challenge. After all, he was the king and she just a... Paanwali? Or maybe a nanny?? Or is she an aspiring stable girl???

Much to his astonishment, when not travelling, it seemed she liked to spend every minute possible hanging around the horses and the oxen!

But she did not show the slightest inclination to seek his attention. She does not like me?? But how is that even possible?! What sort of man does she dream of, if not a king??

A man wanting to impress a woman usually aspires to become a better man. But Vayu was at a loss; how was he supposed to become more than a King?

Doubts gnawed at him – Maybe I should have sent her some valuable jewels instead of those made of some measly silver... And why did I send her those plain cotton clothes?! Maybe the nice things would have made her more amicable towards me...

It seemed, in trying to snub Chandrika Bai, he had created a much bigger problem for himself.

He briefly wondered if it was too late to gift her things that would make her more eager for his company, but then realised that would defeat the purpose. You want her to want you, not just what you can give her!

When they stopped for lunch that day, he made it a point to saunter over to where she stood discussing something with Shardul.

Nonchalantly, he enquired about his horse "Shardul, Badal seems to be tiring soon these last couple of days. Can you check on him?" "Yes, Raja-sa." Shardul immediately left.

"Khamma Ghani, Raja-sa." Harinakshi greeted him before starting to leave.

Giving her a look-over as he took note of her crumpled, slightly soiled clothes and the messy tendrils escaping from under the odhani drawn over her head, Vayu interjected "Seems like you have been spending so much time grooming the animals that you are barely left with any for yourself."

Understanding that he was pointing out her less than presentable state, she was tempted to give him a sharp reply. But recalling her decision to be polite to him, she responded "Forgive me Raja-sa, but I am not used to bathing in the open. Especially, while strangers stand guard a few feet away."

Then she added, with an impish glint in her eyes, "It must have been nice to make the most of the hospitality of your host the past week. You look very well looked after."

Before he could conjure a reply, she bowed and headed in Kanta's direction. 

As Vayu watched her walk away, he felt like she had handed him just the opportunity he needed.

That evening, they camped when the sun had barely lowered his blazing gaze.

The tents had just been setup when one of the guards arrived with instructions for Harinakshi. Though more than a little surprised both the women followed the messenger away from the camp.

The path led through some woodland till they reached a small creek. The setting was very scenic, but what really caught their eye was a temporary closed space erected at the edge of the water and Vayu standing at some distance.

As they approached him uncertainly, Vayu urged her "Go ahead. You can bathe without the fear of being observed. I will send the men away. Your companion and I will stand guard." Sensing her hesitation, he raised a brow "Surely, you do not consider me a stranger... not after expecting me to eat your jhoota."

Harinakshi, uncharacteristically, blushed a little and then muttering a thanks headed towards the closure.

Four sturdy bamboos had been implanted in the soil to form a square and a dark cloth had been wound around to cover three sides, leaving a door facing the water which could be closed if wanted by drawing a flap across.

Stepping inside, she noticed an already filled big brass container. The enclosure was strategically installed close to the water so that she could refill it by opening the flap just a little. A small wooden basket had a small brass container with a body scrub paste and some oils.

She smiled realising he had taken her complaint, about not being able to bathe properly, rather seriously. Maybe he just needed a little nudge in the right direction...

As soon as she was behind the screen, he turned his back towards her and addressed the other young woman "I think you were with her in the mehfil too??" Kanta mumbled "Yes Raja-sa..." When he asked, "Have you known her for long?" the young woman muttered "I started working at Chandrika Bai-sa's last year. But Hari wasn't around for some time. Bai-sa had sent her away to stay with-"

Hari's summons interrupted their conversation "Kanta! Can you please take these?"

After collecting the soiled garments, Kanta started washing them on a nearby rock.

Not sure when she would be able to avail of such an opportunity again, Harinakshi took her time upbraiding and washing her hair, scrubbing her body till all the dust and grim had been rid of. After rubbing some of the perfumed oil into her skin, she changed into a fresh set of clothes and then stepped out.

All this while, acutely aware of the constant tinkling of her bangles and anklets, Vayu stood a few feet away,

Keen to make the most, handing over the washed clothes to Hari, Kanta too quickly rushed to the enclosure.

After briefly debating with herself, Harinakshi approached Vayu. 

Resting the washing on a low branch, she addressed him "Thank you Raja-sa, for arranging this." He nodded "I understand it is not the same as bathing indoors in a haveli, but hope it is comfortable enough."

She replied graciously "Under the circumstances, it is more than comfortable. I feel very refreshed. And clean!" He uttered sounding pleased "I am glad."

Vayu wondered how she could look so captivating dressed in a simple maroon, cotton lehenga with a tiny green border, without even some simple Bindi and Kajal. 

His heartbeat quickened seeing her long damp tresses cascading to her lower back. It seemed it was neither straight nor curly, but wavy. How he longed to feel them... to see her face aglow while he ran his fingers through them.

Trying to control a smile, she uttered in a teasing tone "Had I known you would be so quick to grant my wish, I would have asked for a long list!"

Pulling himself away from his daydreams, Vayu replied gruffly "All you have to do is ask. Is there anything that you need?"

She shook her head "No... I don't need anything. Bai-sa had already packed all the essentials. In fact, much more than what I need! And everyone who came to say goodbye gave me something or the other... I don't even know what to do with half of them. And you should see how much food Kaki packed to send with us... Finally, I had to remind her that you are a king not a pauper, and there is no fear of me starving!"

A corner of his lips curved, and his heart warmed hearing her unguardedly babble away for the first time she had joined his camp.

When she paused, he enquired "Is this your first time being on the road for a long time? I hope the journey is not too hard on you?"

Memories of past long journeys were not amongst her favourites. For often they had been a result of changes not of her choosing. Hari muttered "No... it not my first long journey. And it is fine. The cart is comfortable..."

Maybe, she finds the atmosphere in the camp intimidating... He frowned slightly "I am sure it must be hard travelling with a platoon of soldiers, with no other woman around. I hope you are not finding the company far too difficult."

She shrugged "It's not bad... the men are all mostly helpful. Bhiku kaka and his nephews are very friendly."

For a couple of minutes, she spoke about how Madho and Kamal were proving to be good company and then about some interactions with Devrat.

Vayu spoke tentatively "It seems you like to linger around the animals... I have noticed you conversing with Shardul."

She responded beaming "I really enjoy working with animals!"

"Why??" He asked, thinking it seemed an unlikely choice for a young woman from a kotha.

Harinakshi pondered on his question for a few moments before replying "I suppose, because when dealing with them one does not have to worry about their intentions. There is no pretence. If a dog is happy to see you... he is just happy in that moment, mostly because he likes you, right? There is no danger that he is pretending to like you by licking your fingers, while he is plotting to bite you in the future. And if he doesn't like you... he growls. It's simple."

As he nodded, she added "And they do not question my motives! Or who I am, and where I come from. With them, I can be just me."

Where does she come from?? Definitely not from a place that she cherished. While he mused, she gushed looking very pleased "Shardul has been sharing a lot of information. Just this afternoon he was telling me how to look for ringworm in horses. Next time one of the horses is suffering from it, he is going to teach me know to treat it. He really is so clever!"

What's so interesting about ringworm? And knowing about them makes someone clever?? Here I am trying to solve problems of a kingdom and she is more impressed with treatments for ringworm?! Vayu was not happy to hear how much she seemed to esteem the other young man.

Oblivious of his thoughts, she continued praising Shardul " He really has a way with animals. I am so happy that he has agreed to let me assist him and is willing to impart his knowledge." 

"We already have a lot of servants to look after the animals. That is not your job. Concentrate on what you are here for." The words came out terser than he intended.

Her back grew rigid. After few moments of silence, Harinakshi spoke "Raja-sa, in case you have not realised it during your visits to Bai-sa's, please note that I am neither a skilled dancer nor singer. All I can sing is a few bhajans. So, if you wish, I will start organising some prayer time in the camp every evening."

Covering the distance between them in less than a second, he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. The unexpected proximity left all her senses spinning. Before she could gather her wits, he warned her "Don't try to test my patience. Cause I have very little! Feel free to sing all the bhajans you like, but don't forget you are here to devote yourself to my pleasure."

Harinakshi stood blinking as he let go of her just as suddenly and turned away. After a few steps, he paused and spat over his shoulder "I am a man of my word. You will not be sent away to anyone else. But believe me, living the life of a forgotten woman in some corner of Dasi Mahal is not a life you want to aspire to!"

Fuming internally, he stood at a distance till Kanta emerged from the enclosure and then left without another word.

Did I say something to anger him again?? I only pointed out that I am not a skilled entertainer, and he should not expect that from me! Hari was not able to figure out what had left him out of sorts. She was convinced that this time she was completely in the right.

Hari barely heard a word of what the other woman prattled about as she washed the remaining garments and they headed back to the camp.

All the time, Kanta's warning from a few days back when Vayu was away from the camp kept echoing in the back of her mind - Who knows... he might return with a new woman! After all, if he has chosen to spend so much time at that Thakur's place, without calling for you even once, someone there must have caught his eye. And then let's see how much all these men around will indulge us when their king starts favouring another woman.

As Hari entered the camp, she anxiously looked around. Granted it had been less than fifteen days, and yet she had developed a kinship with the camp and its habitants. His threat of banishing her to some corner of an unheard-of-place had rattled her.

The moment they entered their tent, Kanta started setting out an assortment of beauty enhancing products and oils. Pulling out an especially pretty, green odhani from a trunk, she remarked "I think this one will look very nice with the lehenga you are wearing."

"Why are you bringing out all these things??" Hari asked confused.

Kanta tsked in reply "We must keep you ready. Obviously, Raja-sa means to call for you tonight. Why else would he go to so much trouble to ensure that you could bathe today?"

Missing a few heartbeats, she muttered "You think, that's the reason he built that enclosure for us??"

Kanta replied offhandedly "Of course... and now we must prepare you. Sit here. Let me first do your hair. I will braid it for today. But ask him how he would like you to wear it in the future. Some men like it left open. And I will apply the rose perfume for now but find out what he likes."

Is that what he was implying when he cautioned me to remember why I am here?? Whatever beats it had missed, her heart quickly made up for them and continued racing.

She wasn't naïve, at least not oblivious of what happened between a man and woman. Plus, she had witnessed several goats, dogs, donkeys, and lizards mating. But the lack of personal experience, combined with the memory of how his proximity had affected her by the stream, set her nerves aflutter. How exactly will he expect me to express my devotion??

Her palms turned clammy as she recalled the various pearls of wisdom shared by Mohini, Manjusha and others from the Kotha.

Carefully taking out an intricately carved wooden box from Hari's luggage, Kanta opened it. The inside of the lid was fitted with a mirror. The lower part was covered with another wooden cover which when removed revealed many smaller shallow compartments used to store various Shringar related item like colourful powders that could be mixed with water and then used to draw Bindi, Kajal, some tinted beeswax for the lips, some everyday wear ornaments and so on.

Lifting out the shallow fitted box, Kanta asked gazing at the jewellery hidden at the bottom "Would you like to wear the nicer ones?"

But Hari shook her head "No, I will wear only what he has sent for me."

Sighing, Kanta responded "As you wish. Let me get the paste for the bindi ready."

As Kanta went about beautifying her, Hari's mind drifted to the time when she used to watch her mother using that same box.

One of her earliest memories of that box was from when she must have been about five. Every evening her mother would open the box and start adorning herself with the help of a maid. Hari used to watch her with fascination wondering which jewels would she wear that day, and would she draw a floral bindi or the one shaped like a peacock which was Hari's favourite.

Sometimes, Arunika would indulgently draw a bindi for Hari or let the little girl wear some of the ornaments for a bit. Hari would then wrap herself with one of her mother's odhanis and twirl around babbling about the prince who would come for her one day.

It took her a few years to realise that though all the preparation made her mother appear even more beautiful, Arunika's eyes never gleamed with anticipation. And Hari's talk of a prince only further dulled the look in her mother's eyes.

Using the box now, Hari wondered what her mother would have said to her in this moment. Maa-sa would your eyes have sparkled or dulled for me today? For the first time, I am beginning to understand the fears that must have gripped your heart all those time... 

And then she wondered - Does it not get easier?? Maa-sa never seemed to become happier.

Outside Harinakshi's tent, a cool breeze blew around the camp buzzing with the usual frenzy of activities. But inside, she sat like a statue with a storm brewing in her heart.

When Bhikaji sent word that dinner was ready, Kanta instructed her stay to inside and not waste all the effort she had put into beautifying her.

Noting Kanta take back food to their tent, Vayu was irked that Harinakshi did not step out of the tent that evening. Even after the gesture I made to show consideration for her comfort, she chooses to snub me thus?!

If Krushanu noticed his king's dark mood, he deemed it in his best interest to not ask any questions.

That night felt longer than any other in Harinakshi's memory. Every now and then Kanta would come and update her on what the king was up to. It appeared rather baffling that he had chosen that very evening to converse at length with several men. First, he spent a long time with Devrat. And then later met many of his soldiers and finally called Amiraj to his tent.

Heart fluttering wildly, she sat for hours awaiting his summons. But they did not come.

After the camp had fallen silent for a long time, Kanta returned from another peek outside and reported "Amiraj-sa and Krushanu-sa have returned to their tents. It seems Raja-sa has retired for the night. The lamp in his tent has been extinguished."

Hari's face scrunched in confusion "So, what should I do now??" Kanta sighed "What else can you do... change and go to bed." Still feeling off-balance by the way events had unfolded, Hari mumbled "But... you said he would call for me tonight..." Kanta cut off Hari's protest "What do I know?! I thought he meant to call for you. Well, get used to waiting for him... because this is just the beginning."

A strange sense of deflation seized her heart as Hari readied herself for bed. The hours spent preparing herself mentally for what had seemed inevitable now felt like a waste. Even after she laid on her mat, Hari tossed and turned for long. And the sleep when it came was fitful and woven with strange dreams. She woke up many times, almost feeling his touch on her.

Unknown to her, Vayu was plagued by a similar restlessness.

Her wide eyes and lips which had parted in surprise when he had pulled her in his arms by the stream constantly occupied his mind. Annoyed by her apparent snub, in a bid to distract his thoughts, he had engaged in interactions with many members of the platoon throughout the evening. Lastly, he had summoned Amiraj and his childhood friend to his tent and spent much time going over the plans for the coming weeks in detail. Some of which both Amiraj and Krushanu deemed unnecessary, but knew better than to question.

Even after the other two bid him a goodnight, sleep still eluded him. The alluring image of her damp tresses tumbling around her face seemed to have taken hold of his senses. It felt like he had got tangled in them and they refused to set him free! But there was a strange solace in this entanglement. He still wanted to be the wind, but for once the idea of flying wild did not hold any appeal. All his heart yearned for was to become the gentle breeze that could ruffle her dark locks and kiss the long eyelashes that lined her mesmerizing eyes.

Eyes closed; he drew in a deep breath. The memory of the fragrance of the perfumed bath scrub that she had used earlier that evening was just as sharp as if she was next to him. But it was soon replaced with frustration and disappointment at the distance between them.

Earlier Krushanu had observed, "You seem distracted... we can cover these plans tomorrow." And then added with a mischievous glint "Shall I send a message for her?"

Amiraj hadn't uttered a word about her, but the silent mirth in his eyes had spoken volumes. 

Vayu had retorted "If I am distracted, its only because we are no closer to the facts of this fact-finding mission! Tell me one thing that we have conclusively learnt about Panchagadh."

Looking mildly chastised, Krushanu had responded "Raja-sa, we are trying our best. But, as you know, these things take time." 

And Amiraj had remarked "While we wait, we must use this time prudently, to prepare for all eventualities. And we are doing it. I have been getting the men with us to train at every chance. Also, similar instructions have been sent to Rudra-sa to ensure the platoons back home are up to the mark."

Vayu now felt apologetic about reprimanding his friend. But Krushanu's arrow had hit the mark, and he had not been willing to admit it!

He ran his hand through his hair, wondering in frustration how simple Krushanu had made it sound when he had suggested back in Chandanpur that Vayu should just sleep with her and get her out of his system.

So far, nothing had unfolded in a simple manner. Instead, now his heart craved for so much more!

He now wished for her pure and complete adoration, not careless indifference. He wanted her eyes to sometimes bashfully lower in his presence of their own accord, not always flash with unyielding challenge. He wanted to watch her lips instinctively curve into a joyous smile at his sight, not witness the scowl that frequently graced her brows when she glanced his way.

For years now, Vayu had planned and executed many campaigns and attacks. Fighting battles and winning wars came to him easily. But he was struggling to come up with a strategy for winning Harinakshi's heart.

* * *

(Hi Everyone,

Hope you are having a good weekend! And hope you liked this part. 

Finally, they have started talking a bit more like normal people. At least as normal as HaVa can be with each other right now! 😊 

And now that the conversations are starting, they will get to understand each other better over the coming parts. I hope you like their upcoming interactions.

Take care all of you and have a good week ahead. 

Love always, May)