Later in the evening as Rajjo poured gallons of milk into the bubbling tea, she knew this was the last time she was going to be in this kitchen. It was time to move on. She was going to get close to both Mehtaab Sarkaria and Rani Maa. Her work in the kitchen was done for now.

She stepped out with a tray laden with teacups as the bonfire was being set up in the courtyard. She passed the tea-laden tray around and sat in a quiet corner and remembered the festivities. The village kids came in various groups, singing folk songs and collecting their offerings from the ashram. Sewadars were distributing packets of food and sweets. As the sky darkened completely, the bonfire was lit and it roared as high as the guava trees, the warmth reaching all the way to the corridor near which Rajjo sat. The cold winter was far behind and the month of harvest was here.

June 1991

The day had finally arrived when Rajjo would get to see the revered Rani Maa. She woke up earlier than usual and got on with her various chores for the day. The ashram was spruced up like a bride to welcome Rani Maa. An elaborate stage was set up in the big hall, and carpets were laid out for the devotees to sit on. Fresh flowers and incense adorned the compound.

A huge cutout of Rani Maa had been placed in front of the black gate. Since the month of harvest, Kuljeet and Arjan had made various trips to the other ashrams where they were needed but had returned two days ago to plan Rani Maa’s arrival and to organize her sermon.

As Rajjo swept the corridors, beads of sweat trickled down her back. The heat wave from April had continued and Rajjo hoped that with the advent of June the clouds would come as well.

The humid summer months tested her patience as she watched and understood the spaces around. Finally, she was going to see the Godwoman within a few hours.

As her chores finished and the hot afternoon gave way to a heavy warm evening, she heard from a visibly excited Rahat that Rani Maa had arrived through the back entrance and was resting in her room before the sermon. People from nearby villages had started filtering in for the evening sermon.

Rajjo was assigned to look after the seating arrangements as well. While she went about making sure everything was sorted, the huge crowd who had gathered to hear Rani Maa’s sermon settled themselves in. She lost track of time and was surprised to see the object of her interest approaching the stage.

Everyone stood up to greet her.