The woman waiting her turn to use the phone gave Rajjo an odd look. Rajjo put the receiver down and moved away to join Kuljeet waiting at a distance.

Rajjo had accompanied Kuljeet to buy some wares for the ashram and she had taken a chance with the phone. Kuljeet had been the same with Rajjo, aloof and reserved as if that night had not happened. But Rajjo could now feel an ease and comfort around Kuljeet

Rajjo’s face had a deep sadness and Kuljeet sensed that her efforts had been futile.

‘Leave it to God, he shall find a way.’

‘Then it’s doomed,’ was Rajjo’s quick response.

‘Don’t talk like this…you have so much to learn.’

‘And you have so much to unlearn!’

Kuljeet shrugged her shoulders like it was futile trying to convince Rajjo. They passed the bustling market areas taking in the hawkers sitting on the roadside, some selling woven baskets, cane furniture, fruits, and bright painted clay-pots. Each one was calling out to the passing customer and trying to convince them to buy their fare.

Both Rajjo and Kuljeet watched the mayhem as they strolled along refusing most of the hurried pitches. Suddenly, inspired by the hawker’s intensity to sell, Rajjo turned towards Kuljeet and enquired. ‘If I tell them my unique selling point as a Godwoman is that I can predict the future…then…?’

Kuljeet looked at Rajjo and pointed at the cane basket.

‘You see that old man convincing the lady that a heavy man will sit on it and it will not break? Before believing him she will sit on it and test it, and then she will buy it, and if it breaks she won’t come back, if it holds she will…’

‘And the point being?’

‘Can you predict the future? If not then don’t advertise it. Do you believe in God, if not then don’t claim to, do you have faith, if not then don’t sell it to others!’

Rajjo turned her face away, wanting to block Kuljeet’s voice.

‘You think I won’t be able to do it?’

‘You may, but you won’t be happy in the long run, but if that is your path that he has charted for you then so be it…’

‘Are you happy? Is Rani Maa happy?

‘No…’

‘Then I’d rather be unhappy and be a Rani Maa than be unhappy and be a Rajjo.’

Kuljeet laughed. Rajjo joined in.

‘So how did Rani Maa start off? They come to Rani Maa for what?’

Kuljeet sighed as if trying to jog a distant memory.