The main temple gates opened into this marketplace, and she avoided them, knowing that Veer would probably be working on one of the gates.
The market buzzed with activity, redolent with smells of spices and flowers. Hawkers, selling everything from grain to silk to cattle, tried to catch her eye as she walked by their shops. She glanced down at the small piece of paper in her hand, hardly able to believe that Sameera was here of all places.
She almost passed the stall of spices when she managed to spot her friend. More by her voice, really, as Sameera haddraped thepalluof her saree over the heavy hair bun at her nape, partially obscuring her face.
Chandra shook her head when she realized her friend was haggling with a shopkeeper who was looking increasingly harried. Entering the shop, she poked her in the back.
Sameera turned and squealed.
“Hello, Sameera…oomph.”
Chandra’s greeting got lost in the exuberant hug she got from her friend. “It is soooo good to see you,” said Sameera. Her grin threatened to split her cheeks. “How are you? You look a little thin but overall, I must say better than what I feared. Is your husband treating you right? Tell me all about him. We were so worried for you.”
“Slow down, all right. Give me a minute. I have stuff to purchase,” she said smiling.
The shopkeeper turned a hopeful face toward the new customer. Chandra fished out a grocery list and gave it to him. “I’d like to buy these things for the temple.” He gave it a cursory glance and motioned for one of his shop boys to fetch the things needed.
“You have to reduce the prices now,” argued Sameera, turning to the shopkeeper with an anticipatory look. “The items are being bought for the temple. You can’t look at profits when your goods are being used for divine purposes, don’t you agree?” The shopkeeper’s forehead looked like it would have permanent wrinkles after dealing with Sameera.
But when it came to anything related to the temple, the vendor couldn’t help but accept defeat. By the time they left the shop, he was coerced into giving them not only the choicest of the spices but also the price Sameera demanded for her goods.
“Ever the merchant’s daughter, aren’t you? Can’t pass up the opportunity to bargain,” remarked Chandrasena as Sameera instructed her palanquin bearers to leave.
“Ah, a bargain is good for the soul, as my father used to say.” Sameera linked her elbow, and they went down the street, their parcels in hand.
“And the fact that the shopkeeper wished under his breath that you would never visit again is all no never mind to you?”
Sameera shrugged. “If he were a true merchant, he wouldn’t have wished away a customer. I may be ironfisted, but he should still be able to make a profit at the price I gave him. Not as much as the greedy man had hoped to, though. Anyway, enough about him. Let’s talk about something new. I am sure you have lots to tell me.”
Sameera had been a friend to her for about five—no—close to six years now. She became her confidante and companion during that time in her life when she had sorely needed a friendly presence other than her maid.
Chandra loved Kalpana but her constant guilt wore on her at times. Sameera, with her easy personality, brought some much-needed levity. Once Guruji vetted her, Chandra had revealed the true nature of the past events to her as well.
“I do have lots to tell you,” said Chandra, agreeing with her. “But let’s start with what in the name of the goddess do you think you are doing here?”
“What? I can’t pay my dear friend a little visit?” asked Sameera, pretending a sudden interest in the drawstring purse she had tied to her wrist.
“Don’t play coy, Sameera. You know what I mean,” said Chandra seriously.
“All right.” Sameera gave up her pretense. “If you must know, everyone was worried about you after what we heard happened in those caves. And when we came to know you were headed toward the Temple City of Brihadeeshwar, I volunteered to come see you.”
“Not that I am happy to see you, but what was so urgent you had to come meet me? In the middle of a quest? Disguise is paramount and it could get dangerous.” Chandra frowned, realizing something else. “And how’d you know we were heading here?”
Sameera was the daughter of a merchant and a self-confessed biggest gossip in the kingdom. She somehow knew all the juiciest tidbits. Until Guruji recruited her into his schemes, Chandra thought that was all she had to offer. But under his guidance, she had become an important part of their group. Sameera often joked she couldn’t keep a secret, but that was patently untrue. It was others who had difficulty keeping secrets from her.
“I have my sources,” she said enigmatically. “So, Kalpana tells me your husband is very handsome. I haven’t seen him yet, so I reserve judgment, but I was hoping you could rectify that.”
“I am actually hoping we wouldn’t run into him as I just gave his tail a slip,” admitted Chandra a little sheepishly.
“Atail? He’s having youfollowed?” Sameera turned an incredulous face toward her.
“Oh yes,” said Chandra, nodding emphatically. “Believe me, the man has trust issues as deep as the ocean. Bet he didn’t think I’d realize his pet kite has been following me around. His Highness would surely be pissed to know I figured it out. Serves him right.”
“Wait, his kite has been following you around? As in apetkite?” Sameera’s large eyes widened so much, Chandra felt an irrational desire to laugh.
“He has a freakish connection with his cantankerous bird, more so than any other animals he controls—” She broke off seeing the worry on her friend’s face. “Don’t worry. His power extends only to the animals. I haven’t seen any signs that he can control human minds.”
“That’s a relief.” Sameera placed a hand on her chest as she let out a breath and launched into a story about a mutual acquaintance back home.
