Maybe Veerini’s right. I can escape the old man. We can be happy. Also, Sati is the only pure one in my bloodline. Veerini’s corrupt soul has led to Kali’s birth. It’s difficult to help them. But I have to protect Sati from the terrible fate of seeing her father being insulted every day. My elder daughter is the only one worthy of my love.

Daksha breathed deeply. ‘But how...’

‘You leave that to me. I’ll make the arrangements. Just say yes. Your father is leaving tomorrow for Karachapa. You are not so badly injured that you can’t travel. We’ll be in Panchavati before he knows you’re gone.’

Daksha stared at Veerini. ‘But...’

‘Trust me. Please trust me. It will be for our good. I know you love me. I know you love your daughters. Deep inside, I know you don’t really care about anything else. Just trust me.’

Perhaps this is what we need.

Daksha nodded.

Veerini smiled, bent close and kissed her husband. ‘I’ll make all the arrangements.’

Veerini turned and walked out of the room.

In this moment of solitude, Daksha glanced at the ceiling, feeling light and relaxed; feeling free.

Everything happens for a reason, perhaps even this battle with the dogs. We can be happy in Panchavati. We will be away from my father. We will be free of that monster. To hell with Meluha. To hell with the throne. I don’t want any of it. I just want to be happy. I just want to be with my Sati and be able to take care of her. I will also look after Veerini and Kali. Who do they have besides me?

He noticed Veerini’s prayer beads on the chair. Next to the prayer beads was the tiger claw that Sati wore as a pendant. It must have fallen off during the battle with the dogs and Veerini must have recovered it to return it to their young daughter. Daksha stared at the blood stains on the tiger claw; his daughter’s blood. His eyes became moist again.

I will be nothing like my father. I’ll take care of Sati. I will love her like every father should love his child. I will not ridicule her in public. I will not deride her for the qualities she doesn’t possess. Instead, I will cherish everything that she does have. She will be free to live her own dreams. I will not force my dreams upon her. I will love her for who she is; not for what I’d like her to be.

Daksha looked at his own injured body and shook his head.

All of this to save an immigrant woman! Sati can be so naive at times. But she is a child. I shouldn’t have screamed at her. I should have explained things calmly to her. After all, who does she have to look up to besides me?