Rani Maa was impressed. She had not expected this from Rajjo. She caught Kuljeet’s eye and understood her predicament. Rajjo was not just good; she could be very good as long as she could be contained. Rani Maa knew she had to be careful, but for now it was imperative that Rajjo take Sukhmani’s place and be better than her. It was the most important thing Rani Maa wanted. The rest she could deal with later.

After the sermon as Rani Maa retired and Rajjo went to pay her respects. Rani Maa asked Rajjo with a chuckle, ‘Do you believe that? What you said to them?’

‘Sometimes.’ Rajjo smiled and averted her gaze.

‘But they need to know if they have nothing in life, they still have honour. Which should be above all things monetary. Else they would never come to terms with the lack of what they don’t have. Honour fills in for material want.’ Rani Maa added.

Rajjo looked at the wise woman, taking in the odd vignette of her sitting in the robes of a Godwoman and filing her nails. She had started chanting a mantra. Rani Maa confused Rajjo. She shrugged the confusion away to clear her mind for what was to come the next day. Mehtaab and Sukhmani were arriving at daybreak.

As she walked back to her room, she could sense Raahat wanting to have a word with her. She simply went into her room and shut the door, but it was a matter of time when she would have to stop hiding and talk to those around. But for now it was time to pack her things and move into a new room, a new bed, a new windowsill but the same pot of desire – a blooming coral orchid in a small yellow pot.

The next morning, Sukhmani returned with Mehtaab to find Chhoti Maa Durga in her quarters. Mehtaab had a quiet consultation with Rani Maa and pondered over the proposal to send Sukhmani to another ashram.

Rajjo could sense potent anger. She realized it was not just coming from Sukhmani but from Kuljeet as well. Everyone in the commune felt the tension. One of them was going to be sent away, either Sukhmani or Rajjo.

As the minutes ticked on, Rajjo realized she did not have any strong ally. Rani Maa had used her only to make a point to Sukhmani. It was her anger and vengeance, the colour green and red had given her the saffron robes on stage, but they were weak and with one wash they could be stripped to nothingness. Rajjo was on very weak ground, but Sukhmani had Mehtaab’s affection and desire. Arjan was her only mild supporter and Kuljeet would oppose every move that would further empower Rajjo. The worst was she couldn’t guess which direction Kuljeet’s feelings were headed or how potent they were. Rajjo knew she was all set to lose the battle as Mehtaab mulled over his decision. Sukhmani sulked Rajjo sat by the window in her new abode and Rani Maa beamed. In one stroke she’d snubbed both Mehtaab and Sukhmani.