Sakshi didn't realise the passage of fifteen days since the assault. She rearranged all the furniture in her room- pushing the bed to the other end, shuffling her books and revamping her wardrobe. She discarded the previous bed linen and curtains that reminded her of the traumatic evening. Her energy plummeted, her breaths getting heavier every passing minute.

Lajo offered company and comfort when nightmares jolted her. Though the external marks healed, the emotional scars stung her like a swarm of black bees. Her tendons and ligaments ached profusely.

Udayveer laughed it off, glorifying Hemant as a one-woman man. He asked her to toughen up and not breathe about it outside. What hurt the most was that Ayush didn't answer her calls. In his eyes, she was a disloyal traitor who broke his trust. Or that's what she assumed. She thought of asking Darshak, or Gaurav or Vinnati to talk to him, but brushed the thought. It would be a waste of time, for he already chose not to believe her. She felt horrible about hurting him but was disappointed that he didn't give her a chance to explain.

The morning sun barely touched her sore eyes. From behind the iron bars of her window, she stared at a pair eagles soaring high beyond the golden skies.

"Beti?" Lajo's voice startled her. She entered the room, holding a bowl. "Get up for a moment."

Lajo spread a dark blue bedsheet and gestured at her to lie down. "I've prepared a special oil for you. It will make the pain vanish."

Sakshi breathed in the pungent smell of mustard oil with crushed garlic cloves. Stretching her legs, she rolled her head back and sighed.

"You don't have to do this, Aunty," she said with a tinge of guilt.

"I want to," Lajo said, pushing Sakshi's skirt above her knees.

She dipped her wrinkled fingers into the bowl and slathered warm oil over her calf muscles, ankles and feet. Her fingers worked wonders, pressing and massaging her painful legs. A wave of relaxation rushed through Sakshi. She closed her eyes and rested on the pillow.

"By the time I finish this message, you'll feel better in no time."

"Thank you so much, Aunty. Did Barfoo drink his milk?"

Lajo nodded, her eyes glinting with a blend of care and rage. "Did Rana Sahab confront that Hem-"

"Babaji didn't ask him a word."

"He must tell him something. If he doesn't, Hemant will continue this behaviour even after the marriage."

"After seeing what he did, you still want me to marry him?"

"What he did is wrong, but he will change after the wedding."

Sakshi held her hand and moved it away. "You suffered from an abusive husband. How can you be okay with this?"

"Honestly, Hemant is a hundred times better than my husband. He is obsessed with you. That obsession will slowly change into deep love."

She bit her lower lip with a distressed glance. "He doesn't care about my feelings. He only wants to control me. That is not love!"

Lajo remained still for a moment, then spoke in a monotone voice. "Do you even know what is love?"

"Love is what Ayush and I have, I mean, had."

"You're still in touch with that boy?"

"Not after the so-called engagement."

"I'm relieved to hear that. Men like him want to lust after a girl, get her pregnant, and cheat her."

Sakshi clenched the bedsheets, her veins popping out of her neck.

"How ironic it is! A gentleman like Ayush is labelled a cheat, whereas the monstrous Hemant is a good guy."

"Swear on me that Ayush didn't touch you!"

"I won't deny it." Her cheeks burned at the memory of when he kissed her on the terrace of the fort.

"Then what's the difference between him and Hemant?"

"Ayush didn't force me or make me uncomfortable. He cares about my feelings."

"You don't realise the truth because you're young. One day you will thank your father for marrying you to Hemant."

"My parents have been married for years. Do they have any love or affection for each other? I don't want a loveless marriage like that."

As they conversed, a multitude of footsteps vibrated through the walls. Sensing something offbeat, Sakshi smoothed her skirt and got up.

"What's happening?" Lajo set the bowl aside and wiped her hand.

A group of four men donning khaki uniforms with lathis marched inside. Udayveer Rana followed them with anxiety clouding his face. The man with three stars on his shoulder badge spoke up.

"I'm Chandrakanta, inspector of Sonambar police. Go outside till we finish our search."

"Namaste, sirji. What's this for?" Sakshi asked.

"Ask your family. They've been hiding illegal bayonets and bullets. Start the raid, officers!"

Sakshi and Lajo moved out, staring at Udayveer. Moving close to him, she leaned in with a frown.

"What's this Babaji?"

Udayveer cast a withering glare at the inspector. "Some bloody traitor has filed a complaint! Ranveer is bringing the documents soon. It will prove these claims are false!"

She knew it was far from false. She had witnessed the rifles being smuggled into their home during her parents' anniversary. Still, she nodded in support of her father.

The policemen rummaged through her wardrobe, scattering her salwars and dresses on the floor. They hurtled her books and snatched the bed linen, scouring every nook and corner. Sakshi watched with remarkable calmness as her newly arranged room was ransacked by strangers.

One of them pulled a corrugated box from under the cot. They yanked out the teddy bear given by Ayush and threw it on the floor. She sprinted inside, dusted it, and cradled it in her arms. Next, the empty chocolate box and the handwritten note fell out. This time, Udayveer picked it up with a suspicious frown.

"What's this?!" He shouted, reading the note.

"Keep your voice done, Mr Rana!" The inspector said.

"Shut up! I'm giving you respect because of your uniform. Don't take advantage," he barked at the inspector. Gnashing his teeth, he stomped toward Sakshi. "Who sent this?"

"Vinnati. You can check the name on the box," she said.

He did so, gauging the date. "The date shows a month ago. Vinnati wasn't in town."

"Babaji, I . . . "

"There's nothing here! Next room!" The inspector ordered.

"I'll come to you later," Udayveer said, following the officers to the next room.

•••

Gaurav and his family had returned to Sonambar a week ago. Ever since Ayush mentioned Chocobar Café, Chirag kept pestering his parents to visit the place. Upon the child's request, Ayush agreed to take them, though he hated to go there again. Since Maanya wasn't interested in their vain excursion, she stayed back in the fancy store.

Later in the evening, Ayush hired an autorickshaw and headed to Chocobar Café with Gaurav and Chirag The sun stood right in the middle of the Sonambar skies.

"Wow! I go in!" Chirag babbled, clapping his hands.

As Ayush opened the glass door, the smell of choco mocha, iced tea, and Sakshi's favourite donuts wafted in the air. His mind flooded with bittersweet memories. He found a seat downstairs near the cash counter.

Chirag pointed to the wooden staircase. "Up! Up!"

"Why don't we go upstairs, Ayush? We'll get a good view of the city," Gaurav said.

"Bhai, you and Chirag can go up if you like," he said, focusing on the tissue holder on the table.

"Okay, we'll sit here," Gaurav said.

Chirag stomped his feet. "I want to go up!"

"There's a giant orange monkey upstairs like the one in Jungle Book. He'll try to catch you!" Gaurav said.

"Then no go up."

Gaurav ruffled his hair. "Good boy. I'll place the order. What will you have, Ayush?"

"I don't feel like eating."

"You have to," Gaurav said.

"Alright, one lemon juice."

"Don't you want coffee?"

"Lemon juice will do."

Gaurav placed the order and settled in a leather chair beside Chirag.

"I've been seeing you for the past one week. You are lost all the time."

"I'm okay, Bhai."

"Had a fight with Sakshi?"

He gave a weak grin. "We need to talk first in order to fight."

"She stopped talking to you?!"

"I blocked her number."

"My brother, do you realise what you're saying?"

"Bhai, she got engaged to a guy from her father's party."

"No way! You're joking, right?"

"No."

Gaurav slapped the table. "I didn't expect Sakshi could cheat you like this!"

"It's not her fault. She was forced."

"Ahh, I see. Then why don't you try approaching her family?-no, don't! Her father will make minced meat out of you."

"I'm not scared of that. I just don't want to land Sakshi in trouble."

"This guy she's engaged to- how is he?"

"He's an abusive brute."

"Will Sakshi be happy with him?"

"She will be alive and safe. Udayveer will make sure of that."

"Alive and safe, I agree. But she will suffer for sixty to seventy years with an abusive man. Is that okay?"

The question sent his pulse spinning. He looked up, broken and disoriented. Was he ready to watch her suffer all her life? Remorse nailed his senses for blocking her. She tried to reach him several times, he ruthlessly pushed her away. He broke the promise that he will always be there for her.

The waiter served lemon juice, coffee, and chocolate donuts. Chirag grabbed the donuts and started munching on them, smearing the cream on his little nose. It reminded him of her playful smile when nibbling snacks in this very café.

"What to do, Bhai?"

"I really don't know, Ayush. Maybe unblock her number and talk to her."

"What if she's angry? I didn't talk to her for ten days."

"She will be angry."

"Will she answer my call?"

"Ayush! How will I know? You're bombarding me with questions as if I am Sakshi."

"Sorry, Bhai. I'll call her as soon as I reach home."

Gaurav tsked. "You can't tell what the next minute holds. Call her right now."

"We're here for Chirag. Let him enjoy these moments . . . "

"Or else orange monkey will come!" Chirag said.

"That's right, Chiro," Ayush said, smiling after a long time.

His heart lightened at the prospect of talking to her. Could he do a video call? Or should he stick to the good old voice call? Whatever the case, his face melted into a buttery smile, eager to hear her voice again. Just then, he received a call from Amar.

"Hello, Papa?"

"Ashu, your Chacha is admitted at the hospital!"

His heart jumped in his chest hearing his father's anxious voice. "What happened?"

"He has got a stroke this morning. I just got the message.

Ayush gasped. "How is he now?"

"They said his condition is slowly stabilising. I'm worried, Ashu."

"Nothing will happen, Papa."

"You transfer ten thousand rupees to Mithun's account. I'm going to the railway station to book a ticket."

"No, wait, I'm coming right now."

"Come soon, son," Amar said and hung up the call.

Ayush got up, stuffing his phone into his pocket.

"What happened?" Gaurav asked.

"Papa's brother suffered a stroke. I'm leaving now."

"Ohh, hope he gets well soon," Gaurav said.

"Thanks, Bhai. See you later, Chirag."

The heaviness of the news removed all thoughts of Sakshi out of his mind. Hiring a taxi, he rushed back home house. Dark clouds gathered overhead. On the way, he stopped at the ATM and transferred money to his aunt's account using his debit card. Upon reaching home, he paid the driver and didn't wait to collect the change.

Amar conversed with someone over the phone. He nodded and cut the call.

"I spoke to Mithun. He's got the money," He said, referring to Ayush's cousin.

"That's good."

Settling on the sofa, Amar pressed his temples. "I must visit them. It's been a long time, Ashu."

He set his chin into a stubborn line. "It is not advisable for you to travel alone."

"Doctor Nahar said I can do anything as long as I take my medicines and eat on time."

"If you wait for another month, I can apply for a long vacation and we'll visit them together."

"My brother needs me now. And you are smart enough to take care of yourself," Amar said, firm as a rock.

Crestfallen, his facial muscles turned taut. "As you wish, Papa."

"What about the ticket booking?"

"You don't have to go to the station. I'll book the ticket online."

"That would be very good, son."

"For when shall I book it?"

"At the earliest-tomorrow morning."

A melancholic frown rambled his features. "Okay, Papa."

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