The next morning the Haveli was very busy with the guests and the servants. Lila was back in Kabir’s room and she was trying to look normal. She had dressed in a fresh green saree and she had used a lot of oil to make her hair neat. She pulled her shawl high up to hide the marks Veer had left on her neck the night before. Suddenly a guard came to the door and said that her uncle and aunt had arrived from the village to see her.

Lila felt a rush of fear and joy at the same time. She went down to the small side courtyard where the family was allowed to meet visitors. Her uncle looked tired and his clothes were dusty from the walk. Her aunt looked at Lila with very sharp eyes.