~**~

After a few days of living in the ashram Ashok got along with one of the sanyasi's their. He was younger then Ashok by 2 years and his name was Sugratra, he was the person who gave shelter to Ashok and Kaurvaki during a heavy rain night after the first couple of days in the van. They were so bonded, in a way they understood each other in fact they even challenged Kaurvaki to their dinner that night. They all sat down outside the Ashram kitchen. Ashok put in some ingredients that confused Kaurvaki. She knew he was adding wrong ingredients but she did not say anything.

Ashok blew out the smoke that came out from the pot. It made Sugratra, who sat next to him cough. He helped make the food. " don't worry Kaurvaki cooking is my specialty." Ashok stated steering the coal pot. Kaurvaki nodded not making it clear if she's agreeing with him or not. " Sugratra do you feel like were forgetting to add something in the food?" Ashok questioned unsurely. Sugratra Shrugged in 'no'. Kaurvaki stood up from her place and went inside the big kitchen, aside the eldest rishi's chamber, she grabbed a small bowl full of salt from the outside laid up stand. 

She came out and presented it to Ashok and Sugratra. "Salt, you are forgetting salt, salt and the food mix well." Kaurvaki stated. Ashok stopped stirring and looked at the bowl. "that's because the meal were making does not need salt, but since you brought it so lovingly Kalingia I shall use it." Ashok took the bowl from Kaurvaki's hands, he grabbed a large chunk of the salt and place it in the pot. He started stirring it. Sugratra leaned in close to Ashok, "do you think this meal will be eatable?" Ashok replied, "yes, the meal will be eatable *exaggerating* for I know exactly what I'm doing." He said the last part out loud making sure Kaurvaki can hear. Adding more and more confusing ingredients the meal was finally ready. 

Ashok placed some in a bowl and gave it to Kaurvaki, after tasting it, Ashok saw the look on her face and knew it was not delicious. "okay you were right Kaurvaki I can't make meals and I..." Ashok confessed drifting off. Kaurvaki pretended she didn't know what he was trying to say, "and I, I what?" Ashok sighed, "accept defeat!" Ashok finished. "now will you please make a meal for us." Ashok questioned starving. Kaurvaki giggled, "of course!"

~*Time skip*~

Sugratra set up his floor hay mat and helped Ashok and Kaurvaki with theirs. He laid down seeing the dancing stars before drifting of into a slumber. Before sleeping he heard what Ashok and Kaurvaki were saying and wondered beforehand.

"Kalingia you truly are Goddess Annapurna, seriously your hands have her magic within the food." Ashok complemented Kaurvaki. Kaurvaki smiled, feeding Ashok Kheer with a spoon she placed the bowl on the ground and wiped away the leftover kheer around his mouth with her veil. She looked out for first watch till they eventually fell asleep leaning on a tree.

~**~