The heart was made to be broken (Part 1)

Ekshika felt really indignant on behalf of her mistress and couldn't hold back any longer.

She said angrily, "Really? Then, can 'poor people' afford to gamble and squander others' money all the time? Forget completing the task, you couldn't even show a single shred of useful evidence which could be used to defeat the other person. It was your overconfidence which led to such a dismal show. What is the use of this pretty face of yours if you couldn't even slay an ugly duckling with it?"

Ganak suppressed the momentary embarrassment caused by the maid's blunt words. Instead, he raised an eyebrow to look at the pair in front of him. "You seem to have been really interested in my life over the past couple of years. Have you also developed a liking for me?"

His condescending attitude and crude words were beginning to grate on Dharitri's nerves.

Looking at the uncompromising lips of the girl in front of him, Ganak said, "I heard that Second Miss has come back to the city. I suddenly realised that I haven't seen her in the last three years and hence, I couldn't hold myself back," he stretched his arms and found a wooden stool to sit on.

Even though he had uttered the words on a bluster, his heart was beating uncomfortably. He had tried various means to come to the Bali mansion during the past two years when Katyayani visited during the winters but he hadn't been able to gain an entry. He had even tried to go up the Mandh mountain but could never reach up the hill due to one reason or another.

This time, he managed to come in donning a disguise. It was through a reference from a friend who was working as a new stable hand here.

Moreover, Ganak's features had changed drastically in the journey from adolescence to adulthood in the past 1000 days, reducing the chances of anyone recognising him here.

Ekakshi wanted to berate him for daring to speak like this in front of her mistress but Dharitri put a hand on her arm, forestalling her.

"How much do you want?" She asked him calmly.

Ganak's eyes showed a sliver of surprise before he tampered it down. He hadn't expected her to acquiesce so quickly.

Without wasting a breath, he said, "One hundred coins… gold."

Ekakshi's harsh intake of breath felt jarring amongst the soft neighs of the horses in there.

"I have suffered a small err… set-back. Else I wouldn't have troubled you with my dirty presence," he said with a half-hearted attempt at humility.

Ekakshi was yet to come out of her stupor when she heard her mistress's calm reply. "Come to the Lotus pond tomorrow at midnight. Someone will give it to you. After that, leave this place immediately. This is the absolute last time, understand?"

Ganak nodded silently but couldn't help feeling disappointed.

He had expected resistance or at least some amount of negotiation, which is why he had asked for such a high price initially. Maybe, in his heart, he wanted to stay for a bit longer... if possible, see her!

But it seemed that the eldest miss still cherished her image very much, enough to stake everything on it.

And thank god! He berated himself for being soft for a moment. How did it matter whether he could see Katyayani again or not. 100 gold coins could well keep him and his next many generations in cosy comfort.

Katyayani waited for everyone to disperse before walking back slowly to where Trini was holding vigil.

"What happened? Why is Eldest Miss meeting that lowly groom at this hour? Has she still not given him up yet?" Trini asked Katyayani once they reached back.

Eka had been dozing off on a side stool at the door's entrance and got up as soon as she heard them. Without bothering about their conversation, she habitually went ahead to help Katyayani take off her clothes but was stopped.

"Go and sleep. I will take a bath on my own tonight," Katyayani told her.

"But, Young Miss…" Eka tried to protest only to hold back after looking at Katyayani's face.

Something seemed to have upset Katyayani tonight. Nodding her head, Eka picked up a lantern and walked out.

"The groom seems to be threatening Dharitri and demanding money. He may be holding onto some bad deed of hers. That's it. Anyways, I am tired now. Let's talk about it in the morning," Katyayani answered Trini's question in a casual tone, her words clearly dismissive.

Her back was facing Trini and in the shadowed room, her posture looked stiff.

"Maybe she is really tired," Trini thought to herself and bid her goodnight.

Once the door was closed behind her, Katyayani sank down on the cold ground. Unlike the wooden cabin in the hills, her room in the Bali mansion wasn't lined with luxurious carpets. Still the room was quite warm.

Despite that, her limbs seemed to have been doused in ice and even the fireplace felt ineffective.

When she first saw him tonight, Katyayani hadn't imagined her reaction to be this severe. After all, it had been a few years since that incident. Didn't she grow up or rather grow out of it during all this time?

With a mocking smile on her face, she started to remove her clothes absentmindedly. A disgusting feeling rose inside her, urging her to wash herself thoroughly, inside and out.

Four years ago, Bali Mansion

"Second Miss, miss…" An excited voice stopped Katyayani who was brushing down her docile mare after a ride in the field at the back of the mansion.

Katyayani didn't like this docile mare which had been given to her by her grandfather but she consoled herself. A new foal had been sent to the wood cabin a few months ago. Trini had assured her that he would be ready to be ridden in less than two years' time.

Katyayani liked him very much and named him Marichi.

"Yes?" Katyayani turned to look at the over zealous groom, who was beckoning her.

"Second Miss, this is my job. Please don't sully your hands by doing such menial tasks," the fresh-faced, cute looking lad told her with a bashful smile.

He didn't seem to be much older than her but already had a tall physique and sturdy shoulders.

Katyayani shook her head and replied. "I will take care of my own things. Please carry on with your work."

Her voice was polite and alienated. It was the same attitude that she displayed towards every single person in this household, from relatives to the staff.

She was almost thirteen this year!