Karam went back to his screen, silent and sullen. Rano realized Karam was not going to rise to the bait or answer the question. She prodded further. She wanted to shake him and make him realize the desperation of the situation they were in. Either he was a damn good actor or he genuinely had nothing to do with it. But then a nasty voice whispered in her ear that a scorned jealous lover was capable of anything. She was capable of anything back then when she was in love with Karam who preferred her sister over her. She leaned closer to Karam, wanting to press further. ‘Let me tell you something more about the place. The acoustics here too are astonishing. A whisper against one wall can be picked up beyond several turns and twists of the corridors. Always suspicious of political and military conspiracies, this was how the rulers of Lucknow guarded against disloyalty on the part of the keepers of the imambara.’ Karam was no fool.

‘Devi told Rajjo how you met Sheru and discussed “options” to solve the Harsh situation months before the accident. How you dangled a carrot to Sheru, that he will get a bigger share in the pie. How you encouraged his association with Harsh’s wife Upasana all these months secretly! Rajjo knows. The whispers have reached her ear loud and clear. The acoustics of a conspiracy against your loved ones will also astonish you. How fast they reach their ears.’

Rano could feel the rage building inside her. She felt betrayed by Karam. ‘Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I was just trying to protect her! Of course you did not tell me all this. It was convenient for you that she suspected me!’

Karam stared at her with a deadpan expression. ‘Are you trying to say something? Hint at something?’ Rano smirked, ‘ I am not hinting, I am asking.’

‘And what makes you think I was involved in Harsh’s accident?’

Rano sat defeated. She had to clear this mess out before it was too late. She was not going to fight Karam anymore. It would have been nice to have him by her side rather than having him as an enemy.

She sat in the imambara and smelt the trees. Autumn was upon them. Change was here again. Rano inhaled sharply. She could smell the vegetable dye on her sari. It was earthy and cool. It was time to stop playing games and just talk.

‘I am scared for Rajjo. We remember Anarkali for her tragic love story. She was buried alive in a wall as a punishment for her relationship with the Mughal prince Salim. She died of suffocation. I don’t want Rajjo to be buried in that wall. That’s all I wanted, but I am not responsible for Harsh’s accident.’

Karam was quiet for a moment and he gently replied.