It seemed many a moon passed by in a span of just over a month. A lot had happened in Rajjo’s life. Sukhmani was sent away, Rajjo was the new Chhoti Maa, Mehtaab lusted after her and Rajjo was prudent enough to tease and stay away. However, she could not scuttle any longer, she would have to give herself to him, for he was going to claim his pound of flesh. Mehtaab was staying at the ashram, and Rani Maa and him were constantly fighting. Rani Maa’s mood swings were intensifying. Rajjo suspected menopause was the reason.

That evening a car arrived and took Rani Maa away. Mehtaab stayed on in the ashram, albeit in a bad mood. The time was here, and she prepared herself through the day. In the evening she was called in to serve the meal and have a chat. Raahat waited for Rajjo to come to the ledge, but Rajjo did not leave the room till the early hours of the morning.

She had spent every night with Mehtaab since then, slinking out just before dawn to avoid the eyes on the compound. However, she made sure she had a shower before she slept and she spared a thought for her Harsh Vardhan. She was sure in her belief that she was in love with a figment of her imagination, and that was the only thing holding her together.

Arjan smiled at Rajjo, on one of the nights she walked towards Mehtaab’s room with a cup of tea in her hand. It had been a week already. Rajjo knew Mehtaab was besotted with her. She also knew Kuljeet was getting increasingly annoyed and suspected something between her and Mehtaab. She would be the first one to go and speak her mind to Rani Maa if her suspicions were proved correct. Rajjo had to get closer to Mehtaab, share her dream and desire, or she was going to be ousted just like Sukhmani.

Arjan and Rajjo stood facing each other in the cold corridor. Rajjo could hear an owl hoot and flutter away in the darkness. Arjan with a knowing look smiled at her and whispered softly, ‘Dangerous games have dangerous outcomes… may God be with you.’

If anyone knew her well, it was this man. He never judged her. But he was a man of God and she could not understand him. However, it mattered to her what he thought of her. She stopped him and turned him around to face her in the eye.

‘You think I am a bad person?’

‘There is no definition of a bad person… ask yourself how you feel?’

‘Pure. Driven. Pure. Like when you have been in so much muck, that you believe you have gone beyond the dirt. That pure.’

‘Then you are fine…’

Rajjo felt relieved.