With a sigh she quietened her mind and brought herself back to the present. The merger of Harsh’s party and Upasana’s father’s party had been successful. Harsh was set to take over the reigns of the joint alliance, trumping his very able cousins. But since then they had been chasing the Durga trust with a vengeance. The road continued to take her towards her destination, her body moving to a rhythm of darkness and light inside the car, the leaves casting shadows through the magical windows as the sleep fairies kissed her eyelids.

She woke up with a start.

For the first time, so many people knew that she was meeting him and waited for an outcome. It was not a hidden lovers’ meet anymore, it was a business meeting. As the road disappeared, Rajjo’s unrest grew. She willed her mind to imagine the place she was about to reach, the mysterious location she had chosen. A piece of folklore came to her rescue, to amuse and entertain her, something about a shepherd who touched the stone with a rod and the stone started bleeding, the midnight black stone spilt a deep red liquid. Soon the village gathered around to watch the miracle and by nightfall Lord Shanishwara had made an appearance in a local’s dream, telling him that the most unique black-looking stone was indeed his own form. The village asked if he could build a temple for him, he just replied that there was no need for a temple, as his roof was the entire sky and he preferred to be under the open sky. He then asked the village to come and do the customary pooja every Saturday, and promised in return the whole hamlet would have no fear of dacoits or burglars or thieves.

Rajjo chuckled. She mocked the lore in her head but she could not mock the fear or faith that made this village almost crime-free. Due to the fear of Lord Shani, none of the structures, be it dwelling houses, huts, shops, etc., situated within the one-kilometre radius of this Lord Shani temple, have doors or locks. To this day, no doors for any houses, shops or temples mar the free-flowing spirit of the hamlet.

Fear not faith drove the masses.

By now nausea was building up inside, the constant movement of the car adding to her discomfort. The trinket hanging on the rearview mirror caught her attention. A little angel carrying a dagger in its hand, pointed towards Rajjo. She could feel a searing pain in her heart till she cried for the driver to stop the car.