He pushed to the front of the crowd and came to stand beside Chandra. The arm he slid across her waist proclaimed his familiarity.
“Go on, Chandra,” he said in a perfect southern accent to his shocked wife. “Tell her. There is no need to feel shy, is there?” He turned to the elderly lady. “I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation, I’m her husband. I heard the commotion and couldn’t help but worry.”
Agrani took her time, peering up at Veer from her bent position. Beside his great height, she appeared tiny and only reached his waist. “You don’t look like you are from Amaravathi.” She pointed her cane at Veer, nearly jabbing him in the stomach. The southern accent didn’t seem to fool her.
“I am from Rajgarh,” he said, giving her a piece of truth, hoping it would satisfy her. It would have helped if Chandra would relax. She had gone stiff as a board the minute he laid his hand on her.
“A man from the north with a perfect southern accent?” the woman remarked suspiciously.
“I have lived here and there…” he admitted, reverting to his usual accent.
“And what kind of work are you in?” she asked.
“I am a blacksmith by profession. Chandra and I are newly married,” he said. “I’m taking her back to my place, but she requested we halt here and see the festival.” He looked down with fondness at a disgruntled Chandra. “It was the first request she made of me. I couldn’t refuse.”
They heard Radha give a wistful sigh at the romantic tale Veer was spinning. The pile of manuscripts in her hands listed dangerously. Matangi gave Radha a hesitant look but seemed to shy away from offering help carrying the pile of scrolls.
The elderly lady’s stance softened the minute Veer wove the tale of them being newlyweds. It also gave a valid reason for Chandra’s discomfiture if they were still strangers to each other, which he supposed was true, after all.
“I see. Well, congratulations. It is fortunate, then, that you happened to be here on the eve of starting your married life. Lots of married couples worship here for a long and fruitful life. How long have you been married?” she asked.
“Two months,” said Chandra.
“Seven days,” said Veer simultaneously.
The old lady watched them, confused.
“Now wife,” said Veer, giving her a warning squeeze that drew an affronted gasp from her. “I know you feel like it has been that long, but the end of ceremonies was only seven days ago.”
She tried to dislodge his hand surreptitiously, but that only made him hug her tighter to his side.
“You don’t look entirely comfortable with each other,” said the old woman with a frankness that made Veer wish he could tell her to mind her own business. “I wonder if you’ve had your three wedding nights yet?”
“Yes,” said Chandra, almost a little too desperately.
“No,” said Veer simultaneously.
They looked at each other.
“Come on, dear, don’t be shy,” said Veer with another warning squeeze. “There is no shame in admitting the truth that we haven’t been left alone since our wedding.” It gave him a puerile sense of satisfaction to see her squirming with embarrassment. She had no choice but to be dragged along by his lies. After this latest mess, she deserved it, too, and he was going to remind her of it often.
The elderly lady spoke again. “This is not a problem at all. I shall arrange for separate quarters for you. Have you been staying in the guest buildings?”
“Yes.”
“Very well, then. Both of you shall take part in thepujathat is auspicious for married couples. Chandra, you will work forme. I wouldn’t mind having an extra helper. My granddaughter can only do so much.”
Right on cue, the sheaf of manuscripts in Radha’s arms finally spilled over onto the ground, leading to a string of curses from the old woman. Matangi and Radha were on the ground retrieving them.
Veer bent down to help as well and saw some of them contained detailed maps of the temple complex. His hands itched to get hold of them. They would be mighty useful.
But perhaps there was a way he could turn this to his advantage.
“Forgive me, Agrani,” he said, addressing the temple elder as he straightened. “I want to pay for thispujawith my own money, but I need work to earn it. Can you put in a good word for me with the captain?”
Agrani nodded. “I can do that. As a matter of fact, we do need a metalworker to work on the temple doors. They took some damage last monsoon.” She sized him up. “How good are you?”
Veer answered her and the discussion moved to more practical matters. Agrani concluded matters by deciding for all of them, then herded Chandra and Matangi away as she left.
