Satya heard the door bang shut behind her. The scent of jasmine incense flitted about the room. 

Shaking with fury, she unravelled one arm to tug at the blindfold across her eyes. It’d felt so tight on her head. Yet, it came off easier than she’d imagined. She flung it away. It fell to the ground and slid under the bed. 

Satya’s hand returned to her bare chest, as her eyes travelled up the dark wooden structure, taking in the golden paint around the posts, the intricate carvings at the head, the silk sheets, pillows and bedding, and the fine mosquito net that fell from a hook on the ceiling. 

At any other time, she would have admired its beauty and welcomed its comfort. She would have jumped into its inviting silk sheets. Tonight, the entire bed loomed over her like an ominous spectre. She shook her head, refusing to believe the ordeal that could happen anytime now. 

No! I’d rather die than let a strange man… I won’t give up! I’ll fight even if they torture me!

Strung between fear and anger, she glanced at the closed door, half expecting someone to walk. But it didn’t open. After a few heated minutes, her eyes wandered around the room, looking for a way to escape the place. 

It was a magnificent room, decorated with silk curtains, dark wood furniture, luxurious gold-plated vases, and many animal artefacts. The walls looked painted chalk white. 

Only a couple of items gave away the intended purpose of the room. Two larger-than-life paintings of scantily clad women in knee-length antariyas hung on opposite walls on either side of the bed, exposing their large purple nipples. 

Disgusting!

She screwed up her face at the pieces and peeked at the opposite end of the room. Here, curtained windows looked out into the black velvet night. Even from her spot, she could make out that they were tight shut. 

No chance of escaping from there. 

The only inlets for the air were the metallic barred ventilators at the top of the windows. The entire room felt like a golden cage. 

The sounds of a gong came from the street outside, marking the end of the first quarter of the night. Half-past nine! Uncle Madhava and Aunt Sulochana would be out searching for her. It was the first time she hadn’t shown up for dinner since she started studying at the university. 

Surely, they’ll find me soon? Perhaps they’re already on their way here. 

Hope of reuniting with them brought new vigour to her aching limbs. She would escape before the guest reached the room. But first things first. Her eyes darted around the room again, looking for a piece of cloth to tie around her upper body. She was just about to use one of the silk sheets from the bed when she heard footsteps outside the door. 

Is it another servant? Or is the guest already here? 

Satya watched petrified as the door opened. A young man walked into the room, closing the door behind him. Satya recognised him, staring at his handsome face in disbelief. In all her wildest dreams, she had never expected to be locked in the same room with the great general of Satayu. 

Humiliated and stripped of her upper garment, would she now face the disgrace of losing her virginity to her sworn enemy? 

Rage and hatred built up in her heart. She stood up fast, her body shaking in a frenzy of indignation. But she never saw the shock and mortification in Veerata's eyes. Instead, she saw him draw his sword and advance towards her, pointing the tip at her throat. Her eyes shut tight, certain that Veerata’s blade would sever her head any moment now. 

“Who are you? What are you doing in my room?”

Her eyes flew open. Anger turned to confusion. 

Does he not recognise me?

“Speak girl,” he warned. “Don't test my patience!”

She flinched and shut her eyes again, rendered speechless. The ensuing silence felt even more oppressive than before. She didn’t know what to do. 

Suddenly, she felt the soft touch of fabric on her shoulders. Surprised, she looked up again. 

The sword was gone. Veerata stood closer to her, a look of pity visible in his blazing, amber-coloured eyes. His robust chest, lean and muscular arms, and powerful neck were now bare to her scrutiny. 

Embarrassed, her eyes darted away from him and fell on the shiny cloth hanging from her own shoulders. Its white colour, silky texture, and border patterns matched the young general’s lower garment. To her astonishment, she realised Veerata had just removed his own uttariya and draped it over her body. 

There was no time to think. She slid the garment over her left shoulder and down her chest, covering her upper body up to her navel. Then she pulled the longer end of the same cloth from behind her waist, passed it under her right arm, wound it three times over the front of her abdomen, and tied it at her back. 

A wave of relief passed over her at being fully dressed again.