She sensed him before she could hear the shuffling of the footsteps. She knew two pair of feet had stepped closer. They were the awaited guests and one of them was him. Despite her resolve to stay unaffected, her neck tingled with a strange sensation. She could smell his aftershave. It was carried by the wind along with the smell of the wood and spice. Rajjo calmed her mind. She chose to take in the entire cityscape in silence as the guest greeted her and waited for her response. She recognized the voice! It was Prem Nath. He was Harsh’s uncle and the middleman, a wiry thing dressed in expensive suits, shoes lined with extra soles and thick heels to look taller. Clearly, his small frame was a letdown for his big ambition. Prem Nath usually negotiated with Rajjo or the trust for favours on behalf of the party.

Rajjo was quiet as she took in the sight of the ghats from this high point and let Prem Nath continue his customary greetings. They waited for her to turn and acknowledge them, but Rajjo wanted a few more seconds to herself. She noticed that every inch of the ghat was covered with piles of wood.

Did he know about all those calls she made and all those hours she waited for him? It made her laugh.

She heard Prem Nath say in his calm business voice, ‘We have come to seal and formalize our association in this pious place and to extend our thanks to the Durga trust for supporting the TRP party in the election next year. We can finalize the details with Karam-ji or Rano-ji, once you officially give your blessing. Harsh-ji personally wanted to meet you to start the alliance.’ Rajjo wondered why he did not say a word, why he did not step forward.

She turned to face them but the moment she faced him disappointed her. Nothing happened in those seconds that passed by as they stood facing each other. She was waiting to see something – a flicker of emotion, recognition. Nothing. He just stood there, without a hurry in the world, as if nothing was going to shake him up.

‘No,’ she heard herself croak.

There was an awkward silence.

And it was then their eyes met for a longer time. It was then that Rajjo’s heart skipped a beat. Slowly it dawned on her that he was not a phantom. Unfortunately, her memory had not done justice to him. Age had carved grooves and lines on his face that were etched in Rajjo’s heart already. His piercing ebony gaze forced Rajjo to hold her own. She dare look down, she dare look away. He smiled at Rajjo, with amusement lurking in his eyes. ‘We have met – a long time back.’ Rajjo challenged him before he could push her in a corner.

He nodded assuredly. ‘Of course we have…’