After the short confrontation with Vayu, Hari had handed over the nest to Kanta "Return this to Kamal. I am heading up the hill and wish to be alone. Please don't disturb me."

Used to Hari's occasional dark moods, initially Kanta had not paid any heed. But when she refused to return to the camp after numerous entreaties, Kanta had brought her some food. Despite repeated questioning, Hari had not offered any explanation for her cranky mood. Finally, exhausted and irritated from climbing up and down the hill so many times, Kanta had instructed Satpal to keep watch and retired for the night.

Although Hari was determined to not let him affect her in any way, his conduct in the tent had once again agitated her. He decided to barge into my life completely uninvited! And I am not welcome even in his tent?! Once again, I got swayed by Kanta's stupid advise! Husband, my foot! What sort of husband would declare his wife is no one?!

For a long time, she paced around, ranting internally, and tried to think of ways to make him pay for his harsh behaviour. But all the ideas that seemed achievable also felt very juvenile. After all, how was creating a muddy patch outside his tent for him to slip on, or spraying him with the itching powder, or somehow managing to sneak some laxative herbs in his food, supposed to restore her self-respect?

And the last one is only likely to get poor Bhiku kaka in trouble, so that is a complete no-no! She resolutely shook her head.

After she had not been able to come up with any real actionable plans, Hari sullenly settled under one of the few trees on the hilltop. Once emptied of any fight, all she could feel was a gnawing hollowness within.

It felt like she barely had any control over her life. Her mind mocked - You wanted freedom... and here you are... on top of a hill and under the open sky. Completely free. But free to do what?!

Talking to some of the men, she had gathered that as per the current route planned, they were likely to reach Sudhagadh in about a fortnight after leaving Umbrali.

Unease spread through her veins wondering what was awaiting her there. Only once had he spoken of some place called Dasi Mahal.

What will I be expected to do there? What sort of place it is? And how many women does he keep there? He seems rather young to have filled a whole palace with women for his pleasure... but then, I suppose if he is in the habit of collecting a woman from every kotha he visits that wouldn't be very difficult!

Hours passed by, but she still sat there trying to make some sense of the looming uncertain future. Multiple pleas from Kanta and the guards were quickly dismissed, as the turmoil continued to churn her insides in knots.

Hearing some footsteps approaching from behind, she called out "Satpal, I told you I am not going to move from here! Stop nagging and go back to the camp."

To her surprise, a moment later Vayu appeared in front of her.

Black dhoti fluttering in the wind, a tiger nail pendant hanging over the dark angarkha style kurta tied to one side of his upper body and his hair knotted at the back, he stood watching her intently.

As she wordlessly glared at him, he smirked "All these years I have heard tales of ghouls living on a banyan tree. Finally, I have seen a witch under it!"

Oh... so I am a witch now! Then, why was he so bent on having me if I am a witch?!

When she did not reply, he glanced around "Aren't you scared of being out here by yourself?"

She retorted "Poor spirits are defamed for no reason! It's humans that one should fear." And yet, she quickly chanted Gods name in her mind.

"I suppose you are right." He shrugged and sat down a couple of feet away from her.

Her frown deepened wondering why he wanted to intrude on her solitude. Keen to show that his presence was not welcome, she shifted a little to face another direction.

Well, Amardeep-sa's prediction of a cold shoulder wasn't off the mark. Vayu admitted to himself.

But given time, everything cold thaws... he leaned against a tree and made himself comfortable.

A couple of minutes went by before Hari started fidgeting and ranting in her mind yet again - How long is he just going to sit here? Maybe I should leave... But why should I leave? I was here first. Already I am not allowed to enter his highness's tent... and now I can't even sit here in peace?? How dare he say I am no one?!

Smirking, Vayu observed her growing restlessness as she pulled out a blade of grass and shredded it. And not only has she thawed... but soon she will be boiling over!

"You gave me your word that you will treat me in a respectable manner! How could you talk to me like that? And that too, in front of some outsiders?!" the accusation flew from her the very next moment.

When he did not respond right away, she shifted again to face him. Her expression was one of pure outrage.

"I am sorry." His softly spoken apology was unexpected, and it disarmed her. Hari blinked hard, not sure what to say next. Here she was, all set to fight, and he had laid down his arms!

He continued with a reflective expression "But you also asked for my word that I will never expose you to other men in any way. And I have promised you my protection, right? So, I was just trying to keep those promises."

You called me no one! She wanted to scream, but instead settled for "That was not the way to show how considerate you are of my wishes! And what could those men have possibly done to me? You were there!"

Sighing audibly, he shared a half-truth "I did not want you to catch his attention. When it comes to women... especially once he sets his sight on someone... Amardeep-sa is devious."

She scoffed "And do you think, where I come from, I haven't met devious men before?!"

He muttered "Let's just drop this... All you need to know is I had your safety in mind."

Oh... so now he will also decide when I can speak my mind and when I should stay silent... she huffed.

"Why did you come there with that nest?? Is something wrong with your bird?" he asked, recalling her entry in the tent. She mumbled "Hanuman is fine." He questioned flabbergasted "Who is Hanuman??" She smiled slightly "We have named the little one Hanuman."

And she smiles... but only for her bird! He scowled briefly, but then as a thought crossed his mind, he smirked "Hmmm... so is it meant to be like our practice baby?"

"What?!" her eyes widened.

Vayu shrugged "Well... that's why you have named him Hanuman, right? I mean, Pawan Putra Hanuman... or Vayu Putra... it's the same."

While Hari tried to get her head around his remark, he added "But are you sure it's a male bird? Wouldn't it be strange for a female to be called Hanuman?? But then, the bird probably doesn't care what you call it! So, I guess, it's alright."

"The name is not my idea! It's Kamal's. Because he wants it to fly to Lanka!" her voice sounded more like a squeak.

Thoroughly enjoying the horrified look on her face, he continued cheerily "Don't you think we are already doing a good job as parents? You are always cooing to it and feeding or carrying it around... and I brought home the worms for it. So, I think we are doing well."

Suddenly it dawned on her that he was teasing her, and Hari started glaring at him again.

Abandoning the subject, he asked softly "Are you recovered now from your... confinement??" She wordlessly nodded gazing at the ground. Feeling a little out of depth, he muttered "Let me know if you ever need to rest while we are on the road... just send the word... I will figure out something."

Despite her usual penchant for candour, Hari felt a little uneasy. Like one of her vulnerabilities was laid bare in front of him.

She was almost about to thank him for his consideration over the last few days, but then recalled that trying to thank him was the exact reason why she had entered his tent. And was called a no one!

Vayu couldn't fathom what he had said wrong but going by her expression something seemed to have irked her. Again!

Deciding the only way to stay in her good graces was to talk about her much-loved creatures, he asked "But seriously, I am curious, why do you choose to spend time looking after that bird? Why do you care so much??"

After musing on his question for a few moments, she answered "I suppose, I feel compelled to do what someone else has done for me."

He was surprised by her honest reply, and asked a doubt that had been long running through his mind "So, you are not Chandrika Bai's daughter? Unless she had you very young..."

Probably used to people wondering about their relationship, she did not seem surprised. Hari shook her head "No... but she has been a mother to me in many ways that matter."

When he asked, "Have you been with her long then??", she nodded in response "Yes."

"Mama-sa said Chandrika Bai has been in Chandanpur for about a year... so, you arrived there with her??" she nodded yet again.

He astutely remarked "You are special to her. She gave you much more freedom than the other women in that kotha. She did not forcibly send you to me that night."

Stiffening slightly at the mention of that evening, Hari uttered tightly "Bai-sa would never force me to do anything! And not just me... she never forces anyone in that kotha."

He raised a brow "So, those other dancers are okay with everything?"

"Raja-sa... I don't expect you to understand how the people in that world live... or why. But usually, it's their personal choice. Agreed, it might be a choice born out of not having any other choices. But often, they make those choices forced by circumstances rather than people. Bai-sa does not force anyone, but she understands and then supports whatever those women want for themselves."

Eyes narrowed; Vayu watched her as he listened to her thoughts... and the way she articulated them. She spoke in a manner that he hadn't expected of her.

"Do you know why Urvashi is who she is? Her grandmother was brought here by a general who had gone far north on an expedition. The woman was offered by some king there as part of the peace treaty being signed. The general brought her so far away from her homeland but did not make any provisions for her future. The day he died, his family turned the woman out on the streets, accompanied by her small daughter. How was she supposed to stay alive and feed her child? Did she really make a choice to use her beauty to make a place for herself in this world? Her daughter and granddaughter grew in different Kothas. What were the choices available to them? 

Pausing only briefly as she didn't expect him to answer any of the questions, she went on "Urvashi knows her youth and beauty is fleeting. She must make the most of it now and save something for her future. Because few years from now, all those fawning over her today won't spare her a second look. But Urvashi chooses who she wants to be with. Bai-sa does not compel her!"

It was clear that she had some very strong views on the topic!

She continued hotly "And you would be wrong if you think those women don't want to leave that life! Though it was before the time Bai-sa took over, Manjusha had bid good-bye to the kotha to settle with a man who claimed he couldn't live another day without hearing the voice that had enchanted him."

Her voice embittered "Two years and a child later, when her body failed to revert to its old shape, he decided that he didn't love her after all! That woman still weeps for him, while he's probably already replaced her with someone deemed more attractive. What was to happen to Manjusha and Meghana if Bai-sa hadn't taken her in? All Bai-sa asks of her is to sing."

He muttered, almost to himself "So, they are all free..."

She smiled cynically "Raja-sa, freedom is just an illusion. But yes, sometimes, the women in the kotha are freer than those living in the palaces."

Turning to look at him, she asked "Are the women in your palace free to choose the life they wish for themselves?"

Vayu gulped knowing she had made a very valid point. Maa-sa, Daksha Jiji, Samidha... none of them have control over their destinies. They are just expected to walk the path that they are placed on.

Shaking his head, he admitted "No. But then, nobody born in the palace is free to choose their life. I wasn't either. I must play the role that has been assigned to me – Raja of Sudhagadh."

Satpal coughed in the distance.

She quipped "Well, you are at least free to roam where you want and not obligated to inform anyone about your whereabouts! I am always followed by your men."

"Oh! Believe me, they follow me everywhere too! Or at least they try to. I am not that free either." He chuckled dryly.

Not believing that he was as shackled as he made it sound, she pouted "Well, you must have chosen something for yourself. Something that is completely your choice!"

He watched her silently.

The odhani had slipped away from her head and was now loosely wrapped around her. Her open, cascading hair fluttered softly in the gentle breeze. Every couple of minutes, some would fall over her eyes and she'd tuck it behind her ears, only for it fly free again the next minute.

The jhumkas in her ears reminded him of the first time he had seen her. The girl with the mismatched jhumkas. And though he now knew her name and maybe her too, just a bit better, she was still a mystery.

The silver jewellery glinted in the moonlight, but her eyes shone brighter. It was hard to tell in the darkness if she was wearing any kajal. He knew she never tinted her lips, but that did not make them any less luscious.

"You." Vayu whispered huskily.

It took her a moment to comprehend what he had said.

Staring at the man, who had apparently chosen her, Hari thought – But you don't even know me...

"Who??" she questioned.

He was puzzled by the question and reiterated "You. I chose you."

"Why choose a no one?" Her next query confounded him even more.

Squinting in the darkness, he tried to reason "What do you mean? You are you!"

"Earlier today, you told your guest I am no one. So, why would you choose me?" the accusation was loud and clear in her tone.

As he started extending his hand to hold hers, but she instinctively moved her hand away.

Drawing his hand back, he decided to share the remaining half-truth about Amardeep, "Harinakshi... I did not mean it."

Hearing her name from his lips, for the first time, something fluttered in the depths of her heart.

Oblivious of the effect of his words, he went on "While it is true that I do not wish for him to start bestowing his attentions on you... I also didn't want to tell him why you are travelling with the platoon. Our families are close... The moment he finds out, the news will fly to Sudhagadh."

"So, I am supposed to be a dirty little secret." Though her voice was calm, he detected a tremor.

He tried to defuse the tension with a terrible joke "Not at all dirty! In fact, a very pretty one since you decided to bathe and change into this lovely black outfit." 

But she continued looking glum.

He asked gruffly "I thought you had no interest in playing a role in the royal household. Or have you changed your mind??"

She looked appalled at the idea and rushed to assure him "I don't! Not in the least. That's why it was one of my conditions."

Recalling her other conditions, he asked "Why did you have the condition about – not being sent to and not being expected to entertain other men? What made you think I would ever do that?!"

Staring at some distant star, she spoke "Hritvi had a friend... Madhulika. She-"

He interrupted "Who is Hritvi?"

Her expression softened a little "She is my friend from the kotha where we lived before coming to Chandanpur."

"Were you there for long? And before that??" he probed trying to understand where she came from.

But she muttered vaguely "We were there for some time. And before that, just here... and there... we travelled a lot..."

Understanding she did not wish to talk about her past, he prompted "So, what about Madhulika?"

"She... was sent to live with a feudal lord who was very influential. But very twisted! He would make her... go to his friends and guests. Even, to many at a time... finally, after she couldn't take it anymore, she killed herself." Her words trembled.

Breathing deeply, she went on "I never met her, but Hritvi still grieves for her."

As he started "I would never-", she interjected vehemently "I would rather kill myself before allowing someone to treat me like that. But before that, I will definitely kill the other person!"

Though her words weren't funny, Vayu's lips curved a little in admiration – She is a true Rajputani warrior!

After listening to the stories of all these women from her world, the demands from Chandrika and Harinakshi started making sense.

Chandrika demanding his word that he would never forsake Harinakshi - Is it possible that Chandrika Bai was not after my power for her personal gains? But only looking out for Harinakshi's future??

Harinakshi's clauses about being treated respectfully, and never being degraded by being expected to serve other men...

None of them seemed like a demand for privileges. They were just basic appeals for a dignified life.

He still couldn't understand her disdain for joining the royal household. But he didn't dwell on it too much in that moment. Probably because it worked in his favour.

"Are you happy with your freedom now?" he wished to know.

She chuckled wryly "Strange of you to ask the question that I have been trying to figure out sitting here!"

Tilting her head in his direction, she uttered "Raja-sa, out of two goats, one of which is tied to a tree in the middle of huge open field and another which is left untethered to run free within a small paddock... would you consider either as free?" Not waiting for him to answer, she stated "Both are owned and serve their owner's interest. So, as I said before, freedom is just an illusion."

"If I were to set you completely free, what would you do?" he asked with an inscrutable expression.

Hope mingled with ambiguity, she responded "But would you?"

"Is that really what you want??" he countered.

Many doubts and dilemma invaded Hari's mind in that moment. What will I really do if he tells me that I am free to walk away? Go back to the kotha? But what would that achieve? Bai-sa sent me with him to escape the perils lurking there. So, where would I go?

Observing the uncertainly flickering across her face, Vayu spoke "I do not expect an immediate reply. Let me know when you figure it out."

A moment later, he stated "As for the goat, she might not be free, but she is probably safe where she is. Chances are, if left to roam in the wilderness, she will end up as a meal for one of the wild cats."

Her throat tightened, acknowledging the truth behind his words.

Can freedom be relative?? Is it time I figure out how to be happy with running wild within the paddock and pretending it is the whole wide world?

"Shall we head back to the camp? It's just a few hours to dawn... "Vayu's words cut through her thoughts.

The melancholy invading her heart felt very stifling. She sighed "No, I wish to sit here some more... under the open sky."

"As you wish. You can catch up on your sleep during the day tomorrow. But I need to shut my eyes for a bit now." He uttered, and then lay down after surveying the ground below him.

"What are you doing? Please go back to the comfort of your tent. You won't be able sleep here... on the bare ground! Kings are not used to such hardships..." she was baffled.

He replied airily "I will always be more a soldier than a king. And as a soldier, one learns to catch some sleep whenever and anywhere he is. I will sleep here, just fine."

As he laid down, she asked "Is that why you choose to dress so? Almost like a soldier..." Reading the question in his eyes, she replied "You hardly ever dress like a king, in fine silks adorned with many jewels or a crown..."

A small smile tugged as her lips as she shared a memory "In fact the first time I met you... I mean, I served you the Paan... I didn't even realise that you were the esteemed king that the staff was talking about!"

He smiled and then asked, "It was your first time serving Paan??" 

She sighed in acceptance "If it was that obvious... I must have done a truly terrible job."

So, she had never served anyone else before that day! Beaming widely, he teased "That you did! And every other time after that too."

Slightly irked by his response, she retorted "And now you shall have to put up with my terrible Paan for God knows how long!"

And she is hot again! Feeling content, he closed his eye "Wake me up if you wish to return to the camp. And don't wander away in the darkness."

The last thing he remarked was "You like to dress in black too. That's how you chose to dress even in that kotha, amid all that glitter and glamour. Perhaps we are alike, at least in that.

True to his word, the rhythm of his breathing gradually changed over few minutes.

Hari sat astounded. There he lay on the rough ground, next to her, serenely asleep. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. What is he up to now?!

Yet strangely, she didn't mind the intrusion as strongly as before. And the hollowness within wasn't as cavernous as before his arrival on the hilltop.

* * *

(Hi Dearies,

Hope you all are doing great!

How did you find this part? Be it Samaina or HaVa, a night-time conversation under the stars has to mark a special milestone in their relationship, right? 😊

Take care and do share your thoughts on the update.

Lots of love, May)