Chandra glanced at her friend out of the corner of her eye as she chattered away. What exactly were these “sources” Sameera had mentioned earlier. It wasn’t the first time she had puzzled over the way her friend seemed to know stuff before everyone else.
She used to think that Sameera used her large circle of contacts to gather information, but that explanation had been falling flat these days. The type of news she knew wasn’t something one discussed over refreshments or social visits. Or obtained by conventional means.
Chandra felt vaguely ashamed for doubting her friend, who had been a staunch support to her. Besides, Guruji trusted her. That ought to be enough for her.
They moved to a bangle seller’s shop and marveled at the colorful array of bangles, but while Sameera brought several pairs, Chandra declined, saying she needed to maintain appearances of being tight on money.
“Anyway, his bird is a piece of work,” said Chandra, resuming their earlier conversation, giving the blue-and-red set of bangles a longing look. They would’ve matched the saree she had been planning to wear for the festival, but they were far too expensive for an impoverished couple who came to the temple city in search of work.
“Nearly bit off my finger when I tried to give it a sweetmeat,” she continued, holding up her finger, which had a cloth bandage tied at the end. “I wonder what birds have against my fingers?”
The deep rich fabric of Sameera’s red saree caught her eye as they left the shop. As befitting her social status, Sameera was always attired properly, reflecting her family’s well-to-do status.She also traveled freely, more so than any unmarried woman Chandra had met, in her limited experience.
Sameera’s family appeared to give her a lot of leeway. Chandra had no idea what kind of people they were, having never met any of them, except for Sameera’s brother, who was entirely forgettable beside his more gregarious sibling.
But they certainly didn’t seem to stint their daughter any comforts. The jewelry Sameera wore was custom-made and suited her round face. Chandra had often made use of the same jeweler, but the results she got from her commissions were a hit or miss.
But then, her requests, where jewelry was concerned were…unusual to say the least.
“So how did you escape being followed?” Sameera asked with interest as they made their way toward an elephant enclosure.
“I set loose a rat before I took off and exchanged my dress with Matangi and instructed her to proceed in the opposite direction,” said Chandra with a smug smile. “If he tracks by sight, that should confuse him. If by scent, the clothes I lent should be enough to befuddle him.”
They passed a stall where elephants were being readied for a display. A decorative golden harness inlaid with precious stones was being tied around one. The harness was connected to a palanquin on the top, where the idol of Brihadeeshwar would be placed tomorrow for its transport up to the confluence of rivers.
Several handlers with long, sharp-tipped spears herded the elephants so they would stand still.
Chandra and Sameera bought sugarcane and spent a while feeding the elephants.
“You’ve gone to some lengths to avoid his companion. Maybe he just wants to keep an eye on you for your ownprotection?” Sameera stroked an elephant down its long leathery trunk.
“I can take care of myself. If he plans to keep things secret from me, then he needs to understand that I won’t take it lying down,” said Chandra, a frown pulling her mouth. “A taste of his own medicine should be just the thing. Look, a puppet show. Let’s go watch.”
“So, things are the same between you two?” asked Sameera, her eyes downcast with disappointment. “Your mother and Kalpana were hoping you could reconcile your differences.”
“He should want to compromise too. It can’t just come from me,” argued Chandra.
Both went silent for a while, watching the lively puppet show play a scene from a popular fable. A gaggle of children vied for front-seat position.
“Have you told him yet?” Sameera whispered.
Chandra stiffened as if caught by a giant vise.
“Chandra?” prompted Sameera.
“No, no, I haven’t.”
“Why not?” asked Sameera, cocking her head in a confused look. “He gave you his word that he wouldn’t harm Kalpana or Sarun. So, what’s holding you up?”
Chandra couldn’t answer it herself. After so many years of guarding the secret closely, she was loathe to give it up. Even if by revealing it she would’ve cleared her name to a certain degree, she was just as guilty of playing loose with the truth.
When it came to choosing between the lives of two people close to her and the peace between kingdoms, she had made her choice.
And what if he didn’t believe her? That would be even worse.
She didn’t fear his anger as much as his…disappointment?
Her breath caught. Was this at the root of her reluctance? Because she cared what he thought? He saw her as a misguided patriot now. What if he believed her to be a liar after hearing everything?
