The moment their eyes met, Upasana knew that Rajjo had recognized her, her game face on. As the two women continued to exchange looks, the daggers were drawn but she was not going to back out now. Rajjo extended her arm as a challenge for Upasana to come and sit on the stool in front of her. Upasana, without wavering, accepted the challenge. Rajjo was holding her hand like a doctor checked a patient’s pulse. Upasana wanted to chuckle yet again. This was one of her better ideas and she thrived to see the drama she had created. She was alive and throbbing in the middle of it all. ‘Your biggest fear?’ she heard Rajjo ask in a clear timbre. ‘I am scared of water amongst many other things.’ Upasana whispered, her voice shook just a little bit, surprised she was telling the truth. Perhaps she wanted to test the Godwoman along with the other things she had come here for.

Rajjo’s liquid gold eyes met her silvery gaze. ‘Breathe for me, focus on the breath, see it, feel it, let it fill you, take God’s name, you are in his care, you are in safe hands and now with that faith you walk down a long circular staircase.’ Her voice washed over her in gentle waves. She could suck you in. Upasana had to give her that. What was she doing? Everyone in the semi-lit room was under her spell, yet somehow Upasana knew she was in control.

Rajjo’s voice flooded the room, ‘Start opening the doors you see, take the name of Lord, hold my hand and open the doors… Stop testing and start trusting.’ Immediately Upasana cleared her head and followed her husky voice. It was too late to back out now. The cat had the mouse by the neck.

Rajjo put her hands on either side of Upasana’s head. The force of her energy was warming her up. Upasana noticed Rajjo’s beautiful skin and piercing eyes. Did he caress her skin for long lazy afternoons? Upasana hated her straight, sharp, slender nose. It was the nose she had always wanted. Rajjo dropped her hands and continued to chant the name of Lord at regular intervals. It was calming. Upasana closed her eyes, and muttered in Rajjo’s ear, ‘Leave my husband and let us live happily.’

Alarmed, Rajjo opened her eyes. Defiant, Upasana challenged her. Rajjo closed her eyes yet again and repeated the instructions, lulling them into a calm state. Taking them to a warm day, birds chirping, making them sit in a sunflower field. As they enjoyed the bird song and Upasana felt the yellow petals melt in her hand, Rajjo whispered in her ear, ‘Who are you?’