When his men returned that evening, Vayu spent hours analysing the latest intel. That the talks had not resulted into any amicable resolution was expected, hence nobody dwelt on it.

The formation to be used on the battlefield was finalised as the Trishula Vyuha, as this formation worked best when fighting an enemy with a much bigger army. Instead of leading from the center, as would be expected of him, Vayu had decided that he would lead the soldiers forming the right wing of the trident. The tribals offering their support were going to position themselves on that side too. The strategy was to inflict as much damage possible from that side and break through the enemy forces. He hoped catching the enemy off-guard would help Sudhagadh gain an edge.

That evening before dinner time, standing atop a makeshift podium, Vayu addressed his army.

"Brave sons of Sudhagadh, tomorrow when we set foot on the battlefield, remember that we are not fighting to expand our territory or fly our flag atop another fort. We are fighting to free Sudhagadh's mother Veerawati, for without her our beloved Sudhagadh cannot survive. Our families back home are eagerly waiting on her banks with hope filled eyes. We will not let their hopes fade! We will win tomorrow and destroy the dam!! And Veerawati will rush to Sudhagadh proclaiming our victory!!!"

As the soldiers cheered loudly agreeing to do their best, the camp buzzed with adrenaline.

Vayu ate that night in a tent with Harinakshi and Krushanu. The conversation was focused on the preparations for the next day.

At the end of the meal, as Krushanu was about to leave, he solemnly addressed Harinakshi "Your guards have been ordered to keep the horses ready for escape in the unlikely event of our defeat tomorrow. If—"

"Bhai-sa! Please don't speak of defeat! I do not wish to hear of any such contingences!" She briskly shook her head.

Vayu stated "Even if it is not what we wish for, we must plan for the worst too. Harinakshi, if word arrives from the battlefield, you must immediately flee. The men will take you to Churu. The Thakur there has promised to arrange for your safe passage back to Sudhagadh."

Blinking hard to keep away the tears rushing to her eyes, she doggedly argued "I will not go back without you! So, make sure you come back to me."

Deciding the couple needed privacy, Krushanu bowed "Please allow me to take your leave for now."

Stepping out of the tent, the king's right hand stood surveying the camp. He noted approvingly that after eating a hearty meal, cooked especially to boost their energy levels, most of the soldiers had retired early for the night. They needed every man to be in top form the next day. Only the men in-charge of the animals, armoury and other sundry jobs around the camp were still up, and quietly going about their work.

He walked over to the tent where Manilal, an older man with mostly white hair, was busy mending the last dozen juttis in the light of a lamp and settled on a mat by the door. After smiling kindly at Krushanu, the cobbler continued with his work, knowing the young man needed some silent company.

Few minutes went by as Krushanu observed the old man. Or rather what he considered sort of a link to the generation gone. Manilal had been a cobbler for the army since Krushanu and Vayu's fathers were young men. Ironically, he was born with a slightly deformed left foot and hence limped but was very good at cladding other men's feet.

"Mani kaka, how are the men feeling?" he finally asked, knowing the soldiers often opened their hearts to the old man as they waited for him to fix their footwear.

The older man shrugged "They are okay. They are aware of the risks... but they believe that what we lack in numbers we will make up for in courage and perseverance."

Greatly relieved to hear that the army's morale was indeed high, Krushanu's shoulders relaxed. His eyes wandered in the direction of Vayu's tent.

In the past, he would have immediately headed there to deliver this piece of reassurance. But now he couldn't, not with her in there. He mused on how things had changed since her entry in Vayu's life. That she was unpredictable had been established very early on and yet she kept surprising him time and again – be it her joining this campaign or the latest reveal of her identity.

Though he was happy for Vayu, he wondered if anyone would ever brighten his life too. No... I have probably missed my chance...

Couple of years back, his heart had drummed louder every time he had heard the tinkle of a specific pair of anklets. His hands had grown clammy whenever she was around, and her simplest queries had left him completely tongue tied. Though he had never gathered the courage to express his feelings, going by the shy smiles she cast in his direction at times, not only had she been aware of them but had reciprocated them too.

But she was a priest's daughter. Her father was in-charge of looking after the small temple at the back of the palace. And the difference in castes meant she was off-limits.

And so, he had pined for her from afar.

The day her father had happily handed out sweets announcing her engagement, the two adolescents had exchanged silent goodbyes with moist eyes. Krushanu had stayed away from the palace for the next month, wretchedly cursing his heart for falling for a girl he was not allowed to love.

Over time, he had buried that budding love deep within but today he was once again yearning for the sound of her anklets and hoping that life had been kind to her.

Perhaps, in another time and place, Krushanu's love would have been able to overcome such man made barriers.

Well, at least Vayu has found love. And has been able to keep it. Still staring at the king's tent, he sighed.

"She is good for him." Manilal broke the silence. When Krushanu looked in his direction, the older man went on "Raja-sa is happy around her."

Krushanu first nodded "Yes, she is a good wife to him." Eyes narrowed, he inquired "What is the sentiment amongst the men? Will they accept her as Rani-sa??"

After dwelling on the question for a bit, Manilal replied "She is well liked. In fact, respected too. But at the end of the day... a queen is expected to bring an army as part of her dowry." Noting Krushanu's troubled expression, Manilal sighed "Subjects are like ungrateful children of a king. They always want the king to do what it best for them... but rarely care about his needs."

Grimacing, Krushanu stood up "I better get some rest."

Manilal nodded "I will be praying for your triumph tomorrow."

* * *

Dressed in their colours of orange and red, the Sudhagadh army was ready to march. The priest travelling with the army had just finished his early morning adulations and the prasad had been distributed, along with his blessings.

Harinakshi too had offered her prayers and now stood in front of Vayu armed with the Aarti thali. After applying the tilak she feed him a sweet and wished him "Vijayi Bhava".

Unlike his usually preferred black garments, today he had donned saffron, as it implied that the warrior heading to battle was renouncing his attachment to the world and was ready to sacrifice his life for his country.

Though her back was straight, her eyes glistened with unshed tears and lips were graced with a shaky smile.

Knowing she was trying her best to maintain her composure in front of his army, Vayu too kept his response short "Stay safe, and follow all my orders."

And then without a backward glance, he jumped atop Badal and led the army away.

As her two attendants, who had just bid their cousins farewell, stood sniffing next to her, Hari squared back her shoulders reminding herself – You are a Rajputani married to a warrior. And though this is the first time you are sending him off to battle... it's not going to be the last.

After the army had almost disappeared, she turned around and walked to the senior Vaidya, Bhimraj, "Vaidya-sa, please tell me what I can do to help with preparations to treat the wounded."

Bhimraj nodded "I have asked them to ensure the tents setup for tending to the injured are kept very clean. Let's head there. We will keep water boiled with neem leaves ready to clean the wounds. You can help us make the mixture for the poultice. And later assist Bhavdip to treat the wounded men."

Nodding, she joined the group already heading in the direction of the temporary clinic, which had been set up at the end of the woods closest to the battlefield in order to avoid moving the wounded men a great deal.

* * *

Sudhagadh's army slowly emerged from the woods, pride and courage shining in their eyes.

The moment Badal stepped out of the shade, something shifted within Vayu. Momentarily, all ties to memories of the past and dream of the future were cut. He emptied his mind of everything but the battlefield awaiting him ahead.

This is how it had to be. The only way to be. Here and now.

Panchagadh's army was already visible in the distance. The moment of truth had arrived. All strategizing and planning of the last two weeks would soon be put to test.

Glancing at a flag being carried by one of his soldiers, Vayu took note of the wind's speed and direction. Like all seasoned soldiers, his brain started calculating the distance the arrows would cover.

Up ahead, to his right, the tribals laying low were barely visible. They would of course rise and declare their presence before the conch was blown marking the start of the battle, for mixing of guerilla tactics when fighting in an open battlefield did not meet the Rajput code of War.

The breeze picked up and along with the rustling leaves of some scattered trees, Sudhagadh's yellow flags with an orange raising sun fluttered wildly. Birds and small animals, though occasionally startled by the militia's movements, seemed largely occupied with their routine activities.

Despite all living entities being intrinsically connected by a cosmic energy, nature can remain neutral and unaffected by the chaos mankind often finds itself embroiled in. Can this be attributed to its lack of empathy? Or to a higher awareness that all things are transient and living in the moment is the only way to live?

Few minutes later, the Sudhagadh army stopped, and the soldiers started getting into the starting positions assigned to them.

Vayu's gaze drifted to Raghavendra, who was to lead the central arm of the Trishula Vyuha, sending off the emissary carrying a white flag to meet the enemy's emissary half-way to discuss if either side had changed their mind. He hoped that from a distance Panchagadh would believe it was him and not Raghavendra. Not only would this ensure that Vayu's movement wouldn't be scrutinized as much but also that the enemy might underestimate the damage the central arm of their formation would be able to wreck under Raghavendra's more experienced command. He fully believed that there was no place for ego on the battlefield. Every job should be allocated to the most skilled candidate.

The soldiers around him were all hyper aware of the fact that not only were they responsible for defending Sudhagadh's interest but also safeguarding their king. Chests puffed with pride; they stood tall gripping their weapons. Bows, swords, spears all eager to draw some enemy blood.

Having completed the ritual, the emissaries bearing the white flags returned to their troops.

Just before sounding the conch declaring their attack, a flag bearer from Sudhagadh waved a red flag. About fifty odd tribals, donning headgear made of sticks and bones and faces smeared with dried mud, spread over a big area rose to their feet and screamed their unique, blood curling war cry.

Before Panchagadh commanders could factor in this new variable and rebalance their equation, both sides surged forward.

The foot soldiers, armed with shields and spears, forming the first line of defense broke into a run to gain the momentum to cut through the enemy's infantry. Horses, the only animals involved in the battle, broke into a gallop.

To start with the Sudhagadh's army marched forward in a simple block formation as they had assembled, but after covering a sizable distance they started breaking off into the Trishula formation, with the cavalry forming the two outer arms and most of the infantry staying at the center.

The tribals, who had stealthily moved closer to the enemy staying camouflaged, first mounted their attack using bows and arrows. The first few rows of Panchagadh, consisting of infantry with shields and spears, found themselves vulnerable to the arrows raining from the side.

Vayu observed with great satisfaction that one side of Panchagadh forces were already in disarray. Catching on the strategy, the Panchagadh commander issued orders for part of his troops to spread out sideways.

* * *

Soon, men, horses, and weapons from both ends clashed and a ferocious battle followed. And just like in every war, both sides were convinced that they were fighting for the right cause.

Every warrior ceased to be a man and become just a weapon, incapable of any personal feelings or hopes. All dreams were forgotten and only one thought reigned supreme – incapacitate the men donning a certain colour combination.

How do gods decide which mother's prayers to answer? For irrespective of which side the warrior fights for, he is loved just as much by the hands that nourished him. And to his children, he will always be their biggest hero.

And does the wife welcoming back her husband with an aarti thali, and tears of relief, shed a tear for the women that were widowed due to her man's bravery? Perhaps not. For isn't the enemy always evil?

So, unfeeling, glinting weapons slashed and pierced flesh, and the brown earth below their feet turned rusty.

Would the flowers to bloom in the future, on this patch of earth, be tainted with red?

* * *

As he pulled out his sword from the enemy soldier that he had just banished to the next life, Krushanu glanced across the battlefield to where Vayu was engaged in combat with a skilled horseman. Confident of Vayu's swordplay, he quickly diverted his attention to another enemy horseman closer to him.

Armed with his favoured Khanda, Vayu sliced through countless adversaries. Sixth sense on high alert, he dodged arrows flying from all directions and veered Badal away from spears.

It had been just about an hour since the battle commenced and yet it felt like the injured had been screaming for eons. The relatively lucky ones were whisked away to the sidelines and back to the camp for treatment, but many screeched in agony as their blood and life drained away. Some proved that pain can be overcome by sheer will power and continued fighting even with gaping wounds.

Looking towards Raghavendra, Vayu established that though the infantry was still holding up, the enemy had inflicted a fair bit of damage. Deciding they would not be able to hold out for very long, Vayu scanned the enemy troops till he spotted their chief commander and started making his way in that direction.

Halfway through, an arrow grazed his upper right arm. Quickly assessing the injury, he decided it was superficial and he would still be able to keep using his sword bearing hand.

There is pain. And then, there is Pain.

The momentary distraction had proved disastrous. An enemy solider in the vicinity rushed forward with his spear.

A strangled, shocked whimper escaped Vayu. And yet he tried to swing his sword at the attacker.

His troops surrounded him, realising their king had been injured, and rushed to take down the man responsible for this transgression. Before most of them reached the perpetrator, not wanting him to pull out the weapon embedded in Vayu's ribcage, his closest soldier chopped off the hand that was still holding the spear.

Even in that state, the enemy soldier's chest puffed with heroism for a few moments as understanding dawned that, though unknowingly, he had managed to wound the Raja of Sudhagadh. And then numerous swords pierced his chest and life drained away.

The satisfaction of vengeance for their King didn't last for long as the extent of Vayu's injury registered with Sudhagadh's army.

While Krushanu charged in Vayu's direction, what started as a murmur spread and grew into an uproar. Raghavendra tried to keep the troops focused on the fight, but their morale dipped, noting Vayu was being steered off the battlefield. Taking advantage of the situation, Panchagadh renewed their efforts and cracks started appearing in Sudhagadh's defence.

* * *

Hari was assisting Bhavdip apply salve on the wounds of some soldiers that returned from the battle, when a couple of messengers galloped into the camp with the news that Raja-sa was being brought back injured.

A hush fell over the camp for few seconds before everyone started hurling questions at the messengers. Shera first broke into a howl and then sprinted off in the direction of the approaching party.

But Hari stood frozen, tightly clutching the bowl of salve.

Noting her terrified expression and trembling hands, Bhavdip gently pried the bowl away, "Leave this to me..."

And yet she stood rooted to the spot, like fear had robbed her feet of the ability to move. Injured... What does that mean? Is it similar to that arrow hurting his arm last time... or like that scar from the sword on his left shoulder blade? But didn't someone mention a spear?? Maybe it grazed his leg...

It was only when the horses arrived at the edge of the woods that she sprang into action.

Vayu was being held up on Badal by two riders flanking him. Her heart almost stopped seeing that a part of the spear was still lodged inside him. Alternatively woofing and whining in agitation, Shera was running around Badal.

The sight of a wounded Vayu atop his horse, and the terror accompanying it, would haunt Hari for eons.

A visibly pale faced, Krushanu, who was on Vayu's right side, informed Bhimraj "We had to saw off most of the shaft, else it would have been harder to bring him back. We tried to avoid aggravating the injury."

"Raja-sa! Does it hurt a lot?!" A terrified Hari edged closer to Badal.

Not wanting to scare her even more, Vayu muttered "It's tolerable. Don't worry..."

Climbing on a stool, Bhimraj closely examined the wound. The spear had pierced Vayu's belly, just above his hipline, where the leather armour covering his top half ended.

"Raja-sa, what does the pain feel like? How are you feeling overall? Any dizziness??" Bhimraj tried to access the effects of the injury.

Trying to downplay his pain, Vayu responded "It's hard to sit in this position. Do you think the pain might ease on lying down?" But Bhimraj read between the lines. He knew most warriors considered admitting pain a sign of weakness. And Vayu was hardly going to let on it in the presence of his whole camp.

After asking Krushanu some questions about how much time had passed since the injury and how Raja-sa had been behaving since then, he briskly issued instructions to his other aides. Badal, who was clearly unsettled, was cajoled to sit down, and Vayu was moved to a cot set up in a big tent.

Meanwhile, Krushanu dispatched two messengers to Sudhagadh with news of the king's injury. It was about noon and the messengers travelling on horseback at breakneck speed, cutting through the forest parallel to the river, were expected to reach Sudhagadh at midnight.

As soon as Vayu was settled on the cot, Hari addressed Bhimraj "When will you remove it? Won't the risk of an infection increase if you leave it in for long?"

Bhimraj nodded "Yes, but we can't be too hasty. I need to be sure which organs could have been injured inside..." As he stared studying the entry point and pressed about the abdomen checking for internal bleeding, Vayu softly muttered to Bhimraj "Perhaps something to help ease the pain... I don't wish to spend the rest of my time in agony."

As he met the king's gaze, Bhimraj knew he was under no illusions about the seriousness of his wound. As the Vaidya nodded and started mixing a potent potion, Vayu beckoned to Harinakshi with a forced smile "Come... sit close to me... let me see my beautiful wife."

Clasping his hand, she agitatedly addressed Bhimraj "Shouldn't you start giving him some medication other than just the pain killer?"

"Shush... leave him to do what he must... look at me..." Vayu first commanded her, and then after taking a few shallow breaths, glanced at Shera who was sitting at the entrance of the tent on high alert "Shera, be good now. And always listen to Harinakshi."

Realising he was trying to say his goodbyes, Harinakshi instantly objected "No! He is yours and I will have my own when we go back to Sudhagadh! Raja-sa, you have promised me!"

A wave of fatigue washed over Vayu, and he felt dizzy.

Bhimraj slowly fed him the potion as Hari help up his head and then drew Krushanu aside, "The damage is too much... if we pull it out, he will instantly bleed out... and if we don't, the wound will fester, poisoning his insides."

As tears blurred his sight, Krushanu whispered "How long?".

Bhimraj shook his head "Not very long... an hour... perhaps a bit more. I will do all I can to make him comfortable."

After shedding some silent tears in the corner, Krushanu wiped his cheeks. Returning, he knelt at Vayu's side, and clasped his other hand "Vayu, what can I do for you?"

Harinakshi retorted "What can you or I do?! Tell Vaidya-sa to start treating him immediately! Why are we wasting time?!"

"Bhabhi-sa, they are getting the medicines ready." assuring her, he caressed Vayu's forehead "Any orders for me? Or any messages to convey to Rajmata-sa??"

Tilting his chin in Harinakshi's direction, Vayu replied with a ragged breath "Keep her safe... remember—"

Krushanu silenced him "Don't worry about Bhabhi-sa!"

Hearing Bhimraj instructing one of the priests to fetch the water stored in the copper jar, Harinakshi almost bellowed "Why are you giving him Gangajal?! Give him medicines! And if you can't treat you... we will send for another vaidya... or hakim... till then medicine will help..." thinking of something, she ordered Krushanu "Send for Devrat Vaidya-sa! Right now! He is very good and will know how to treat Raja-sa."

Vayu's hold on her hand slackened as his eyes closed and she forgot about Devrat "Raja-sa! Keep your eyes open..."

Bhimraj hastened to his side and checked his pulse, and muttered "He is... just tired..."

A minute later, Vayu's eyes flickered open and he addressed Krushanu "Because of you, I lost the bet with Bhai-sa... of fifty arrows..."

While others around them were confused, eyes crinkled, Krushanu responded with a catch in his voice "And I have apologised for it a hundred times! When will you stop complaining?" It was a standing joke between the best friends for over a decade now about some game that Vayu had lost to Agni because Krushanu had distracted him.

Vayu smiled wistfully "I think... soon."

Harinakshi wanted to scream and entreat time to stop, to allow these moments with him to stretch for an eternity but deciding that if he had only a little time left it ought to be filled with calm, she pushed her grief deep within and set out to make the goodbye easy on him.

Yet again his eyes closed for a bit and when they opened again, he muttered to his wife "If we paint a mule with black and white strips... do you think it will look like that Zybra you had heard about?"

Hari smiled through her tears, recalling once telling him about the account of this strange looking animal that she had heard from someone who had heard it from some foreigner. "How about we do it together when we return to Dasi Mahal? And you still owe me the little adventure we were planning!"

This happened a few times, he kept drifting in and out of consciousness, sometime addressing Krushanu, but mostly Harinakshi. Once he mentioned the lotus shaped pool, and another time he spoke of the first time he had set eyes on her. He also muttered a few things that didn't make sense to Harinakshi. Perhaps because they were just some plans, he had in mind for them. Few distant happy childhood memories of his family were uttered as well.

Not a single word was uttered about the kingdom, wars, politics, or Sudhagadh's debts. It had lost all significance for him.

Once, he called out "Shera... let him come to me." When Krushanu looked at Bhimraj questioningly, who had forbidden letting the dog get close to Vayu for the fear of some infection, the Vaidya now nodded.

Krushanu moved aside, making way for the dog who immediately gently nuzzled Vayu's shoulder, instinctively staying away from the wound. Words were not required as Shera gazed into his person's eyes.

Few more times, he drifted in and out.

When he did not open his eyes for few minutes, Shera started whimpering and Harinakshi urgently called out to him "Raja-sa.. Raja-sa..." and then thinking he might answer to what he always pressed her to use, she started "Vayu... Vayu... wake up!" but silence reigned.

Bhimraj checked his pulse, and this time bowed his head in sorrow.

The king was gone. And so was the need for restraint.

Everyone assembled started shedding tears for the young king who had always been like one of them. While most dabbed at their moist eyes, Krushanu and some of his personal attendants fell to their knees and broke into sobs.

But Harinakshi couldn't bring herself to shed any tears. She refused to accept that he was gone. Minutes went by as she sat shell-shocked, clasping his limp hand.

Requests from Bhimraj and others fell on deaf ears. Certain protocols had to be carried out, but Harinakshi refused to budge from his side.

She sat tightly holding his hand while they carried out the mandatory checks by multiple physicians, priests and important army officials. It was Sudhagadh's practice that when a King passed away, various disparate parties confirmed that there wasn't anything suspicious or shady requiring further investigation. After some time, most of them stepped out to decide on the next course of action.

At some point, Raghavendra had declared truce and returned with the rest of the soldiers, but not waiting to upset Vayu, the news had not been shared with him. Putting his grief on hold, Krushanu now had to engage in discussions with the commander to agree on the next steps. Along with Vayu, there had been many other casualties that day and a lot of soldiers requiring treatment. Decamping wasn't an option for many more days.

After Bhimraj approached him for a quick word, Krushanu headed back into the tent where his friend lay.

With every passing minute, his hand had gone cooler. And the colder it got, the more it seared her warm hand, still holding it. Harinakshi had never seen ice and did not know that, in its own way, it can burn too. And yet, she still couldn't bring herself to detangle their entwined fingers.

Why am I still breathing?? She couldn't see what the point of life after him would be. She couldn't envision one without him. But she recalled her promise from the night before.

After Krushanu had left the couple to themselves, she had iterated "Don't ask me to flee to safety. I will not return without you! Raja-sa I will not live without you!"

Thinking she was saying she would commit Sati if he perished during the battle, Vayu had strongly responded "Harinakshi! Every life is precious and has its own purpose. While another person's existence adds to its beauty, their departure should not mark its end. If need be, promise me you will find purpose and keep going! Promise me you will not waste all that is good and strong in you, in a moment of weakness. That is not the way of the Rajputs! And remember, you will always be Vayu Pratap Singh's wife."

Not wanting him to dwell on such negative thoughts for long, she had conceded "I promise... but I will not return to Sudhagadh without you. So, you must come back."

Shera sat in one corner of the tent with a mournful expression and her two female attendants silently sat behind her.

"Bhabhi-sa, you must step outside. The physicians must remove the spear now, so the priests can start... preparing him..." Krushanu addressed her. When she shook her head, he added tenderly, "Please... removing the spear will get messy... Vayu will not want you to remember him like that. Come now... I will bring you back to him again later."

Looking conflicted, she asked him "How will you bring me to him if he is gone?? And if he is gone, like everyone is saying... why do I feel like he is still here??"

Death wasn't new to Krushanu, but these questions were. After trying to come up with an adequate response, he muttered "Yes, he is still here, and he will always be. But now he lives in your heart."

Proving his claim was correct, when they finally managed to usher a now sobbing Harinakshi out of the tent, Shera listlessly trotted after her.

Few hours later, at the sunset, as the priests intoned some scriptures, the pyres of all the warriors lost that day were lit.

Tears flowing endlessly from her swollen eyes, Harinakshi watched from afar.

The following verses which were penned by Mirza Ghalib, one of the biggest Shayar of all times, a couple of centuries later aptly described the state of her heart.

umr bhar kā tū ne paimān-e-vafā bāñdhā to kyā

umr ko bhī to nahīñ hai pā.edārī haa.e haa.e

(what matters, lifelong faithfulness, to me you did profess

alas eternal permanence, life too does not possess)

zahr lagtī hai mujhe āb-o-havā-e-zindagī

ya.anī tujh se thī ise nā-sāzgārī haa.e haa.e

(this life's environment appears, now poisonous to me

this for, because unsuitable for you it proved to be)

ḳhaak meñ nāmūs-e-paimān-e-mohabbat mil ga.ī

uth ga.ī duniyā se rāh-o-rasm-e-yārī haa.e haa.e

(the honour of your vows of love, to dust has been consigned

love's creed and custom in this world, one will now never find)

ishq ne pakdā na thā 'ġhālib' abhī vahshat kā rañg

rah gayā thā dil meñ jo kuchh zauq-e-ḳhvārī haa.e haa.e

(my love had not yet reached the stage of sheer insanity

heart yearning unfulfilled remained, for union's ecstasy)

*Credit to Rekhta for the translation of the Gazhal above.

* * *

(Dear Readers,

I don't think this part would have come as a surprise, for this story was always meant to be about some incomplete dreams. Dreams that HaVa will get to complete as Samaina in 'The Folly of Love'.

But I am still sorry for the painful turn. Please don't hate me! And please read the next part which I will post in the next few days.

Love always, May)