She had another day before she met him. As she waited for him to arrive, Rajjo soaked in the little town. This mystical place where spirituality permeated every street corner wove a spell of well being. She liked the colourful bazaars, the saffron-clad men playing the tambura – making her experience musical, as she walked back after attending the evening arti at the temple. Post her evening tryst with God, as she waded through the crowds – gunshots pierced the sky. They were coming from the temple, marking the gun salute for the diety. As always, there were legends around the temple, as always, some lord had visited the queen in a dream asking her to build a temple.

Rajjo did not scoff at the lores anymore. They were not real for her even now, but the faith of the devotees visiting this shrine and believing in the lore was real enough.

As she walked back to her room in Jahangir Mahal, she could see the distant outlines of the Ram Raja and Chaturbhuj temples bathed in moonlight. She stood on her balcony, another pre-monsoon night with a full moon hanging in the sky. Rajjo felt the air and knew a mango shower was not far behind. Her heart warmed at the thought that Harsh would be in her arms in less than ten hours from now.

Harsh was staying in another hotel nearby, the Sheesh Mahal, a grand, medieval palace from the sixteenth century. Rajjo sat in his room, waiting. Beautiful pictures adorned the walls, with sophisticated art work and handicrafts.

She was nervous to see him after so long, after his illness. For her things had changed in many ways, but she did not know how he would feel. Devi, staying in a hotel nearby, had informed her that he had checked into the hotel and then stepped out for a long walk.

Rajjo, unable to sit in her room and wait, sat in his room and waited for him to come back. Wearing a long pale blue kurta and loose white bottoms, she ran her hand through her glistening curls and checked the perfect rosy bow of her lips in the little mirror. Her hands shivered as her heart was beating in her mouth. She sensed him before she saw him as the key turned in the lock and the door opened.

He entered the room as they stared at each other. He had marks and lines on his face post the accident. Lines and scars across his cheek and forehead enhanced his handsome look. Knowing him, Rajjo suspected he was going to enjoy his dramatic appearance. It made him look more appealing and dangerous.