Satya stood frozen in the middle of the yard. 

Far to her left, Uncle Madhava, who’d been busy at his workstation under the tree, stopped packing his tools, and stood up, his axe in hand. 

Behind her, she heard Aunt Sulochana’s footsteps, emerging from the open doorway and halting all of a sudden, followed by a low gasp of surprise.

Right in front of them, Veerata stood outside the fence dressed in full armour and uniform attire, surveying the whole place. Several armed guards stood at attention behind him. 

The evening before, the trio had agreed on their travel plan. They’d leave Satvikshila and travel further South, towards the coastline. The next day, they’d had woken at dawn, intending to leave the hamlet in secret. They’d packed up whatever little they’d collected in the last three years. 

Yet, two hours later, they’d still not finished.

Aunt Sulochana had wrapped up most of the household items while Uncle Madhava had cleaned up the yard. They wouldn’t let Satya help. 

She only had to pack her books and clothes into one of her bedsheets. She’d folded up her three pairs of saffron-coloured school attire, wondering when she would ever wear them again. Instead, she put on a plain, light-blue cotton sari with a white bodice.

The last item on her bed had been the young general’s upper garment. She’d packed it on the top, certain that she would never see him again. Then, she’d tied the ends of the bedsheets into a knot at the top, picked up her make-shift luggage and walked out of the door. She’d lingered in the courtyard, drinking in the view of her beloved university town for one last time. 

Within a few minutes, the young general and his team had marched up to their hut from the main road. 

Seeing him stop outside the fence, Satya almost panicked. At first, she thought Aunt Sulochana’s fears had come true. Veerata had discovered her true identity and arrived to arrest them. The guards standing behind him were proof enough. 

Should I run? 

She didn’t even have the strength to turn to her uncle for advice. 

No! I won’t run. 

She clenched her fists at her sides. 

I shall walk out of this place with dignity. I won’t tarnish Nandini’s name by running away like a coward. 

As her mind reeled between confusion and defiance, Veerata advanced into the yard alone and walked straight towards her. She threw a furtive glance at her aunt and uncle. They also watched him with bated breath. When she looked back at the young general, he’d stopped at a respectful distance, and was now smiling at her. Even at her full height, her head barely reached his shoulder. 

“Satya,” he said, “will you not welcome me to your home?”

She blinked. 

Is he mocking me? Is he not here to arrest us? Some new diplomatic tactic? 

Her eye went to Vidyuta, standing outside the fence between two guards. 

Why is the doctor here?

“I’m sorry for coming so early in the morning,” Veerata continued. “I would like to speak with you and your family about an important matter.”

“Important?” 

The word dropped from her mouth while her mind rejoiced. He hadn’t discovered her identity nor had he come to arrest them. 

Aunt Sulochana rushed forward and stood in front, shielding her. Uncle Madhava also sprinted towards them. 

A puzzled frown eclipsed Veerata’s handsome face.

Satya stepped closer to her aunt, touching the old woman’s arm. “This is my Aunt Sulochana, and that’s my Uncle Madhava.” She gestured palm upwards at the old man, just as he reached their side. “Aunt Sulochana, this is Senapati Veerata.”

“Pranam, Senapati.” Uncle Madhava joined his palms and bowed his head, shooting a commanding glance at his sister and niece. 

They repeated the gesture in silence. 

Aunt Sulochana asked, “Pranam, Senapati, may I ask what brings you here?” 

To Satya’s even greater astonishment, Veerata returned their salutation in kind. She’d never expected the great general of Satayu to join his palms and bow his head to her family. 

“Pranam,” he said. “There’s an important matter that I must discuss with all three of you. May I step inside your home?”

Her aunt hesitated for a moment before beckoning him to the door. “By all means! We welcome you to our humble abode.” 

As Veerata followed her aunt, he waved at Vidyuta over his shoulder. The rest of the guards remained standing outside the fence. The young doctor entered the hut last and stood behind his friend. 

While Uncle Madhava was preparing the only functional stool in the room for their guest, Satya was aware of the young general’s keen scrutiny of the hut and the entire family. His eyes rested on the luggage strewn about the floor, but he made no remark. 

She knew there was still a high chance of them getting caught. A single mistake could reveal their true identity. 

When Veerata sat down, Uncle Madhava squatted on the floor in front of him. Aunt Sulochana and Satya remained standing just inside the open door. 

“Forgive me, Senapati,” Uncle Madhava said with joined palms. “We have no refreshment to offer you.”

Veerata raised his hand. “There’s no need. That is not why I came here today.” He removed a scroll from the folds of his cummerbund and handed it to her uncle. “This scroll contains my personal emblem. Please keep it safe. I’d given it to Satya yesterday, but she forgot it in my room when she left.”

“Senapati, how can we accept this?”

“Satya has already accepted it. She only forgot to take it with her. Please don’t refuse. You can use it anywhere in this entire kingdom, and help shall be granted to you. Take it, Satya!”

Gulping down her surprise, Satya complied and took the scroll from Veerata. Their eyes met for an instant. His burning amber-coloured eyes blazed with undisguised adoration. 

Her aunt and uncle noticed the silent exchange. She could feel their gazes darting between her and Veerata. Her eyes dropped in embarrassment. She withdrew to her original spot beside her aunt.