‘Shut up, I am not here to catch the pennies!’ Rajjo rolled her eyes, fanning herself with her dupatta.

Raahat was puzzled with Rajjo’s interest in the room. ‘It is clear what they were doing inside, opening the donation boxes, counting the cash, making a record that would never be declared and the sack of cash would disperse from here. Unless you want to grab a sack and shove it under your bed?’

‘Do I look like a thief to you, you idiot?’

‘But you are behaving like one! Lurking outside the cash room!’

‘I am just curious… What do they do with all the money?’ whispered Rajjo.

‘Run the ashram, live like kings…feed us.’

Raahat made a pathetic face at the last statement.

‘Now they are partnering with a businessman who makes sugar. Rani Maa will use that sugar and tell her followers it is pure and they will buy it.’

‘Mehtaab is a genius…’ muttered Rajjo.

‘Some people are sceptical it may not work…’ Raahat added.

Rajjo smirked.

‘That’s the future of Godliness. It will be bought and sold in the market. Packaged and spruced up for all pockets, according to the demand and supply!’ The inchoate vision of her future was deepening with a colour that shone on the blush of her cheek.

Arjan cleared his throat. He had obviously heard their dismissive comments. Both Raahat and Rajjo stood outside the cash room with a telltale flush on their faces.

‘The mind and bodies of humans are filled with darkness. They find no shelter, no place of rest. Through countless incarnations they wander lost, like crows in a deserted house. Only through Guru’s teachings is the name of the lord received. Instead of snooping around and questioning everything, you both should start reading the prayer books. You will find many of your answers there.’

Raahat nodded many times over, eager to please and display his idoneous obedience. He looked like he was going to run away and learn all the prayer books in the ashram by heart rightaway!

Rajjo, however, did not aim to please. She was not worried or scared.

‘I just wanted to see if they needed any help?’ So the cash is collected from all the ashrams regularly. Is it taxed?’ With a deliberate pause, Arjan glared at her. Raahat coughed nervously, wanting the impervious Rajjo to stop.

Rajjo waited for an answer as she stared back at Arjan. Despite his admonishing words Arjan brought a strange sense of serenity whenever he was around Rajjo. His indefatigable calm filled her with ease. She may not have spent years knowing him, but with the intuitive knowledge that assures a bright day follows the darkest night, she knew she could trust this man with her secrets, her dreams, her desires and her distrust.