Rajjo wanted to whack him and hug him at the same time. Worried for him to be discovered in his inebriated state, Rajjo dragged him away to the kitchen and insisted he guzzle a glass of milk lest Kuljeet or someone else caught him. Raahat laughed at her concerns and said, ‘With so much action happening on the compound even if naked women dance in the premises, no one would know!’

Rajjo whacked him and enquired about the situation outside. Rani Maa had not turned up, Sukhmani was on stage and Mehtaab was furious. Raahat made a face like a surgeon pondering over various theories of medicine to arrive at his important conclusion.

Just when Rajjo was convinced nothing was going to come out of his drugged brain, Raahat spilled the beans. ‘Sometimes when Rani Maa does not turn up,’ and he laughed, followed by a strange hiccup, ‘it makes him mad like he has ants in his pants, that Mehtaab.’ And he laughed again. Rajjo wanted to shake him from his stupor, but she restrained herself. ‘Especially if he has organized meet and greet and meet and greet and meet and greet.’ Rajjo nudged him hard, willing him to complete the sentence. ‘I like saying meet and greet, it rhymes!’

Rajjo slapped her palm on her head. And then on cue, he started his blabber again.

‘Meet and greet with some businessmen and politicians. Not to mention the land deal he had finalized in the neighbouring village.’

Just then the loudspeakers crackled to life and strains of Sukhmani’s sermon could be heard. Rajjo deposited Raahat in his room and went to the main stage to have a look.

Sukhmani sat next to the big cutout of Rani Maa. Rajjo almost laughed at the thought of a cardboard Rani Maa blessing people. The patrons touched Sukhmani’s feet and then the cutout’s feet and dropped some money in a box next to Chhoti Ma.

Rajjo shook her head at the cardboard divinity as she walked around the compound towards the VIP rooms. Shocked to spot a tottering Raahat carrying some snacks towards the room, ostensibly given to him by Asha, she pounced on him, ordering him to get right back into his room. Rajjo headed towards the VIP room with the tray of food, to find the room full of smoke.

The men were in deep conversation, unaware and unmindful of the quiet sewadar setting the tray on the table. Rajjo gathered the local businessman seemed disappointed that Rani Maa could not make it. Mehtaab assured him that next time she would be here. He was also assured a fifty per cent partnership in running this particular ashram and partnership in the meditative cassettes Rani Maa was coming out with the following winter.

Just then he abruptly turned to look at Rajjo, surprised to see a new face as she was quietly making her exit.

‘Where is the boy, Raahat? Usually he is around for these chores.’