Two days passed. And though the skies above were a cloudless blue, something very dark and grey swirled in Vayu and Harinakshi's hearts.

Vayu, true to his nature, stormed around the haveli, every now and then crashing something. Scrolls, plates, pillows, goblets, chairs, vases, pebbles in the yard - so much was hurtled around. And of course, words!

Most of the residents of Dasi Mahal tried to stay out of his sight. Never having witnessed this avatar of their otherwise amicable king, his attendants too quaked.

To start with, exerting a lot of self-restraint, Hari stayed by his side hoping her silent presence would be enough to soothe his ruffled temper. But on the evening of the second day, when he threw the goblet of sherbet screaming at a maid that the drink was too warm to be served on a hot day, her patience ran out.

Dragging him to their chamber, she closed the doors. Grabbing whatever she could lay her hands on around the room, she started throwing it on the floor.

When he demanded hotly "What do you think you are doing?!", she glared back "What else but proving my love for you?? For it seems this is what you need from me!"

Reaching for a pillow, she started ripping it apart. Still not ready to calm down, he too picked another pillow and set out to destroy it. For the next few minutes both were bent on ripping the room to shreds.

Still seething, as he glanced around the room trying to identify the next thing to be sacrificed, she stepped closer. Taking hold of his hand, she placed it on her waistband and stated "Break this too. Tonight, I won't complain or stop you."

The waistband was sacrificed, and the tinkling of about a hundred pearls hitting the floor echoed in the chamber.

But it was a very worthwhile sacrifice. For all his frustrations burnt to ashes in the flames of passion that her love lit, and then fanned.

The sight of her standing before him, her odhani hanging to one side, her choli-clad, heaving bosom partially exposed, chin jutting out and eyes blazing – it left him breathless.

Pulling her flush against him, Vayu bent down to claim her lips. His kiss sought reassurance that she too was burning for him. Weaving her fingers in the hair at his nape, Harinakshi did just that. The intensity with which she kissed him back said - not only would she always burn for him, but also that she would always be there to douse the flames consuming him.

Fingers, still not satisfied from the destruction rained on the chamber minutes before, now set out to hastily disrobe the other. Strings of his angarkha and her ghagra-choli were tugged on with unwarranted force. Neither was in the mood to be delicate and soft that evening.

Ignoring the bed covered in cotton from the shredded pillows and sheets in a disarray, lifting her, Vayu positioned her against the wall. Wrapping her legs around his waist, and arms around his neck, Hari clung to him.

As they made love, her soft whispers of love and throaty moans of desire, tried to assure him that both her body and soul belonged to him. In turn, the long, rough fingers of his one tanned hand moved over all her soft dips and luscious curves; sometimes caressing gently like she was a dandelion puff and sometimes with ferociousness as if he was intent on branding her for an eternity. Like he wanted the universe to know and remember that they belonged to each other.

When she shattered, still clenching around him, her glazed eyes took in the pearls scattered around the chamber and wondered – Earlier, did I give him permission to break just the waistband? Or me too??

Scared that she would truly break without him, her legs gripped him harder wishing him to stay anchored within her for longer. His hold around her waist tightened and the hand holding the wall and their weight against the wall grew rigid before he too exploded.

In that moment neither knew where one ended and the other began. Perhaps, they had ceased to be two.

Sometime later, sated and calmed, the couple nonchalantly emerged from their chamber and went down for dinner.

Immediately, a few servants set out to clean the mess. It took them a good couple of hours! Kanta spent a long time finding all the pearls scattered around and then stored them in a pouch along with the broken waistband. While others replaced all the broken and torn bits from the room.

When Vayu and Hari returned to the chamber post their dinner and a stroll in the terrace, the room looked almost the same as before. Of course, couple of vases were a slightly different style or the pillow were now orange instead of the red ones from earlier in the day. But it would have been hard to imagine the tornado that had blown through the chamber just that evening.

Strangely, nobody was upset about it. For everyone had quickly noticed that Raja-sa was in a much better mood. And that's all that mattered!

* * *

The next morning, Vayu woke up feeling calmer than he had in days. As soon as he had breakfasted, he informed Harinakshi "I am going to visit the palace today."

"You are returning to the palace??" She stilled.

"Not returning. Just visiting." He responded and ordered his attendants to keep the horses ready. When on their own, he added in a softer tone "I received word from Jaswant-sa yesterday. I must visit the palace to discuss it with Kaka-sa and few other ministers."

Her eyes lit up. Lowering her voice almost to a whisper, eyes brimming with hope, she asked "Does that mean we can go on our... you know what... soon??"

Closing the gap between them, he lightly pinched her cheek and smiled "Yes, soon." and chuckled when she twirled with a dreamy look, muttering "I can't wait... just you and me..."

After waving him a goodbye, she boarded her own mobile dispensary and headed to Lal Tekdi market. To her great pleasure, some patients and their owners were awaiting her arrival that day. A few hours flew by as Hari ground a paste to treat a donkey's ear infection, explained the combination of herbs to feed a suddenly listless ox and treated a few more animals for some other minor ailments.

"Apply this paste three times a day for two days and make sure he does not bite the spot." she advised a young lad. She wiped her brow, having successfully created a makeshift collar of some sticks and twine and tied it around a goat's neck to stop it from repeatedly nibbling on his shoulder — where an infection was causing it much itching.

The lad nodded vigorously "My father is away. Usually, he knows how to look after our herd... I was scared that he would be angry at me if the goat is sick when he comes back."

Smiling, she assured him "Don't worry, it isn't anything serious. I have cleaned the wound properly. It will heal in couple of days."

Hesitantly, the lad forwarded a cone made of leaves and filled with some wild berries "These aren't much... but they are very sweet. They grow way up in the hills. I don't—"

"I love these! And I haven't eaten them for so long. You couldn't have brought me anything better!" Beaming widely, she quickly reassured the boy.

The smile that followed on his face was priceless. Heart brimming with warmth, Hari watched him walk away with his goat. Popping a berry in her mouth, she thought – These really are so sweet! I will share them with Raja-sa after dinner tonight.

* * *

Far away, deep in discussion, Raja-sa was seated on his throne.

The reception that morning in the palace had thrown him a little off-balance, especially that from his mother. He had come back expecting her to complain about his extended stay at Dasi Mahal and Harinakshi. But she had not uttered a single word about it. After warmly enquiring about his health and recovery, she had retired to the inner palace.

In fact, no one had mentioned Dasi Mahal or enquired about his stay there. Like it was an unsaid agreement.

Malhar had immediately set out to bring him up to speed on all matter of court. Of course, considering Krushanu had constantly kept him abreast of all happenings, most of what his Kaka-sa shared was already known to Vayu. The updates from all his ministers took all morning. Lunch was a quick affair, post which he started meeting his army commanders.

All through the day, Vayu half expected Vaidehi to summon him to her chamber for a private audience.

By the time the last General took his leave, instead of relief, Vayu was feeling increasingly uneasy. It felt wrong to return to Dasi Mahal without having a private conversation with his mother. Finally, he headed to her chamber and asked to be announced. A minute later, a servant ushered him in.

Vaidehi and his Kaki-sa were on a bed, examining lots of jewellery, scattered around them.

Considering his mother hardly wore any ornaments since his father's passing, he asked surprised "Maa-sa, why have you got these out? Is there some festival coming up??"

Both the women chuckled, and Vaidehi replied "Yes, a big festival is coming up! My son is getting married, and I am deciding on the jewels to gift my daughter-in-law during the various wedding rituals."

Even as Vayu wondered if it was truly a coincidence that his mother had chosen this very time to have the jewels brought out, his Kaki-sa added "Some of the pearl jewellery needs to get refitted, and most of the jewellery needs to be polished. Your Maa-sa and I are sorting everything."

Not sure how to respond, he gruffy muttered "What's the rush... and why has the date been set for so soon? There was still a lot of time to go."

His mother shrugged "It's a very auspicious muhurat. Her parents expressed their keenness, and we did not see the harm in it either." And then added, completely ignoring the real objection he was trying to present, "I have been preparing for this wedding for years now. No, don't worry about the preparations. And yes, from day after, the silk merchants will be arriving to take orders. I have already distributed the responsibilities for overseeing various tasks to—"

Not interested in any wedding preparation related updates, he cut her short "She is still too young. I want to wait till she is old enough to understand what she is truly agreeing to. Has anyone explained to her that I have already taken a wife?! That she will be becoming my second wife?"

"She will be old enough by the time the bidai happens. I was the same age when I married your father. And what her parents choose to share with her is up to them." Vaidehi responded very calmly.

With part incredulity and part despair, Vayu noted that his mother had chosen to completely ignore the part about him having a wife.

His anguish morphed into anger. Before her walked out, he bitterly snapped "If she ever complains of having been duped, I will send her to you! And then you can explain to her whether it was her parents' failing... or yours!"

After he exited, his aunt muttered "I am worried how he will treat her... maybe we are acting in haste", sounding apprehensive.

"He will treat her fine." Vaidehi was unperturbed.

When the aunt questioned "How can you be so sure? Jiji-sa, can't you see how angry he is?!", setting aside the red velvet box in her hand, Vaidehi spoke with assurance "He is angry, but with me. I know him too well to worry that he will ever ill-treat Samidha. When she arrives here, he will prove to be a kind and respectful husband. Hopefully, over time, their childhood friendship will turn into admiration and then love. And even if it doesn't turn to love, respect is good enough."

* * *

As Badal galloped back to Dasi Mahal, in the pitch darkness, it was his rider who was breathing heavily. Earlier, when his Kaka-sa had suggested that he stay the night in the palace — as it was already past sunset, and the new moon was almost there — Vayu had been considering it. But post the brief and brusque chat with his mother, he couldn't wait to leave.

His mother's quiet conviction that everything was proceeding in the right direction had rattled him. And of course, exasperated him.

The last words that he had hurled at her were still pinging in his head.

For a moment, his lips drawn into a grimace, he envisioned – His mother about to gift Samidha something as she was welcomed in the Sudhagadh palace, when he interjects 'Maa-sa, I have heard truth is the biggest gift anyone can be given. Why don't you tell your new daughter-in-law about my wife?'

Yes, that will serve her right! Having to explain to Samidha how all of them withheld information from her... let's see how you tell her that she was deceived!

The thought fled, almost as soon as it arrived, leaving behind shame in its wake. Samidha's sweet, innocent, trusting face came to his mind and his heart contracted. All these months he had resolutely kept all thoughts of the injustice being done to her at bay. Time and again, he had convinced himself that he was in the right. That it was his right to marry the woman his heart had chosen. But how could he expect Samidha to accept another woman in his life without feeling betrayed?

When Vayu dismounted in the front yard of Dasi Mahal, embroiled in these doubts, even the sight of an almost breathless Harinakshi running down the steps to receive him did not bring him the expected joy.

Standing at her window, Hari had been staring at the road and worrying about him riding back in the dark, when she had heard the horses and rushed downstairs. But seeing his solemn expression she had stilled when a few steps away from him.

He quickly brushed away her enquiry "Raja-sa, is something wrong??", with a "No. I am just tired from a long day." Ordering his attendants to draw him a bath, Vayu walked indoors.

Even later, after he had bathed and eaten a light meal, he stayed preoccupied.

When a few attempts at engaging him in a conversation failed, Harinakshi tried to lighten his mood by making him a Paan sweetened with a dollop of honey. To her disappointment, though he offered her a smile while munching on it, the smile did not reflect in his eyes.

Guilt seeped into his bones. Here he was, enjoying the affections of his beloved, with someone trying hard to ease his troubles. But Samidha wouldn't have anyone to lavish her with tender love. No one to bare her heart to. The palace would imprison her body and vanquish her spirit.

Out of ideas, Hari retired to her chamber, leaving him to nurse a cup of madeira.

Back in the room, she laid in her bed with a strange sense of melancholy. Hours later, he joined her in bed and wordlessly drifted off to sleep.

* * *

The next morning too, he was withdrawn. As he got ready to ride back to the main palace, she again tried to suss out the reason, but her efforts were in vain. All she was able to ascertain was that it wasn't anything to do with the tidings from Jaswant or Krushanu. When she asked "Has Rajmata-sa said something about... me??", he truthfully replied "No, she didn't mention you."

Harinakshi watched him ride away with a troubled heart. That something was off with him was clear, but she couldn't guess what. If his mother had not nagged him about her, then what had put a damper on his mood??

She fretted away first half of the day in Bhanumati's chamber. Other than occasionally hassling the older woman to eat something, she mended some of her clothes and sorted Bhanumati's cupboards.

Despite her languid state of mind, Bhanumati still tried to assure her "Don't worry... Kings have a lot on their minds. Every time he is upset or annoyed... don't assume it's about you."

Though she would have liked to gladly accept that, something in Hari's gut wasn't ready to. But reluctant to add her burdens to the older woman's already heavy heart, her brow still creased, she muttered "I suppose so... maybe, it's all in my head."

Entering the room with a plate of fresh fruits, Kasthuri chided Hari "Stop looking so glum! Everything will be fine. Raja-sa is a very intelligent man, and only a fool will turn his back to you! So, stop worrying and go to Tarika. She wants you in the kitchen to check something."

Thankful for the vote of confidence, Harinakshi bestowed Kasthuri with a grateful smile and went to answer the summons. After conversing with Tarika for some time, still edgy, she headed to the backyard and spent the afternoon meticulously and needlessly checking her goats for ticks.

When Vayu continued to be distant that evening too, she demanded after dinner "Where are you?!"

He shrugged "Right in front of you. Why? Can't you see me?"

Sighing, she almost implored "Raja-sa, what's wrong? And please don't say nothing... I can read it in your eyes!"

Something dark swirled in his eyes again. And this time, Hari thought it was guilt.

Saying "Be happy that I am here. Don't ask for more, at least not now.", he exited the room and went outside to have a chat with some of the guards.

Unable to make any sense of his words, she stood, fidgeting with the ends of her odhani, for a bit before heading to her favourite terrace.

A moonless night, dark just like her internal turmoil, enveloped her. After assuring me, time and again, that he wouldn't leave me post the marriage to Samidha... he is already withdrawing as the event draws closer. Did his mother demand that? Or maybe... Samidha has? Yes, that could be it! She... or her parents must have demanded that he must stop see me after the wedding. Is he just bidding his time, trying to garner the courage to end this relationship??

A ragged, sharp part of the parapet, which she had clutched far too tightly, pierced her palm. Unseeingly, she stared at the little drop of blood that instantly appeared. For what did a few drops matter, if he was going to sacrifice her before starting a new life.

A new and much more convenient life.

A shiver passed through her as she gazed around – For the world, this darkness will be temporary, and a sliver of moonlight will appear tomorrow. But if I lose him, my whole life will turn into a never-ending Amavasya.

Few days back, she had told him that, if necessary, she was willing to disappear from his life in an endeavour to make things easier for him. But now, she wondered if she had uttered those words only because her heart had been certain that he would never ask that of her.

Suddenly, she was overwhelmed with the need to go hide in a secret alcove somewhere. Somewhere that he won't be able to find me. And if he can't find me... he won't be able to end things between us. That way... at least in my heart and head... he will always still be mine.

Not finding her in the chamber, Vayu trudged to the terrace. As expected, she stood there. A dark statue, shrouded in shadow.

It was clear that she was hurting. Or more aptly, that he was hurting her. And yet, he couldn't muster up the words of assurance that she needed.

All he managed, standing at the entrance, was "Come to bed. It's very late."

Strangely, she found even that reassuring. At least he still cares enough to come for me.

They silently walked back to her chamber and into bed. Only a couple of words were exchanged as the lamp was blown out.

Just as he was about to slip into oblivion, Vayu felt her press her lips against his chest, almost like reminding him of his promise that his heart would always belong to her. When he mumbled "I still mean it.", though not sure of reference she found it comforting.

As she lay, slowly some hope surged – He is probably talking about our little trip!

She had to exercise a lot of control to stop herself from shaking him awake to demand confirmation. After days, her heart was buoyant. She couldn't wait for the morning and for him to reveal the plans for their getaway!

* * *

Though the night did pass, the morning did not bring the hoped for news.

Hari awoke to the sounds of someone knocking on the door of their chamber. Weighed down by Vayu arm and leg carelessly sprawled across her, she craned her neck and glanced at the window. The glimpse of the barely light sky from the gaps in the curtain meant dawn was still on its way. As she tried to make some sense, the knocking grew insistent, and Vayu too sat up groggily.

Instinct kicked in as he sprung to his feet, grabbing the sword next to the bed.

Approaching the closed door, he demanded "Who is it?!" Hari too scrambled to her feet and quickly tidied her attire.

When his attendant responded "Raja-sa, it's me, Jagat. I have received some... urgent news." Vayu flung the door open "What is it?"

Ashen faced, Jagat, muttered "Veerawati... is disappearing."

Assuming he was referring to the new mare Vayu had gifted her sometime back for her personal use, Hari stepped forward "Then go stop her! Something must have spooked her... but she wouldn't have galloped too far."

Shaking his head, Jagat started to explain in a quivering voice "Not the mare... our river... Gajendra is downstairs... seeking an urgent audience."

Peering at Jagat, Vayu wondered if the man had gone insane. He was about to berate him for spouting absolute nonsense, but then stilled - If Gajendra, one of Krushanu's trusted men is here, it must be a genuine problem.

He stormed downstairs, with Harinakshi almost sprinting after him, to find a sinewy dark man, of about thirty years of age, standing in the foyer bearing a haggard look.

Seeing Vayu, he automatically bowed "Khamma Ghani, Raja-sa" and then rushed on "Yesterday evening, we received reports that the water levels have suddenly fallen. Hence some men were sent up north along the banks to find the cause of the problem. The men haven't returned... but overnight the river basin has become remarkably empty. Krushanu-sa has already accompanied Malhar-sa to the riverbanks to investigate the problem and sent me to appraise you of the situation."

Stunned beyond comprehension, everyone gathered tried to absorb the news. It did not make any sense! How could a river start disappearing? And where would it disappear to?!

The wheels in his brain started spinning at a dizzying speed, till something clicked. White rage emitted from his being as Vayu roared "Niramal! That scheming scoundrel! I shall have his head for this!"

Momentarily, Hari wondered about Vayu's proclamation till her head reached the same conclusion. Extending a shaky hand to grasp his arm, eyes widened in astonishment, she muttered "Those boulders... he wasn't stocking them to move somewhere... he used them to—"

"To build a dam! Under our very noses!" Vayu interjected his eyes blazing.

Turning to Gajendra, he barked "Who is in charge of the outpost at the border along the river?" The other man responded apologetically "Raja-sa, I think it is under Maganlal's command... but I will have to verify. I will find out."

Vayu brusquely addressed Jagat who was hovering in the background "Make preparations, I will dress and leave immediately."

Some fifteen minutes later, after simultaneously hastily attiring and devouring two bananas, Vayu appeared in the front yard. Just before he galloped away, he distractedly addressed Hari "I will... keep you informed. Pray that we can expediently overcome this challenge."

* * *

(Hi Dearies, 

How are you all doing? And what did you think of this part? 

So, the story is about to take a sharp turn... Where it leads?? Keep reading to find out.

I am expecting to share the next part in about two weeks. Take care all of you! 

Love, May)