There is no regret medicine in the world!

Next day, Bali Mansion

Katyayani got up early despite staying out till late with Trini the previous night. While dressing up, she sent a message to her grandfather's attendant, Bhadrak, informing him that she would come to pay her greetings to her grandfather before the end of the first prahar (approx before 7:30am).

"It is so unfair that Young Miss has to wear such inferior material while living here. Truly, the swan is suffering while the crows rejoice!" Eka tut-tutted while helping Katyayani wear a coarse, plain woollen dress in jade green.

Even though the wool had a soft texture, it was far inferior to the mulberry and angora silk clothes which her mistress's skin was used to. But to stay low-key in the mansion, Katyayani insisted upon wearing clothes which were made with inferior materials and were less eye-catching.

Moreover, the daily mud pack application was another thorn in Eka's eyes but considering that these were the instructions of their elder miss, Katyayani's mother, she stayed quiet.

"Once I am back after greeting Grandfather, we will leave for the marketplace. Have someone arrange the carriage," Katyayani told Trini and asked Eka to finish the chores in the chambers.

Chatvari had already left in the morning to visit the marketplace with her long shopping list. She wanted to buy some ingredients which were not available at the Mandh mountain.

After the 'make-up' dried on Katyayani's face, she left for her grandfather's chambers.

She strolled past two arched corridors and a small pond with a wooden bridge before she saw Bhadrak who was standing outside the corridor leading to Kirtidev's chambers.

She greeted him politely and he responded with a respectful bow. Others may be unaware or may have forgotten the Second Master and Second Mistress, but Bhadrak remembered the quietly powerful couple very well.

"Master is waiting impatiently for you in his study. He has asked me twice already whether you have arrived yet or not," he told her with a smile.

"Sorry for the trouble," said Katyayani warmly before walking further down the black granite flooring.

Her soft wool shoes made no sound on the smooth surface. Pushing the door open, Katyayani entered the warm study room and walked up to the old man who was standing in front of the wide window which looked over the unkempt land.

It was the same view as that from Katyayani's inner room but the lotus pond and the swing was not visible from this angle.

Katyayani bent down to touch his feet and felt the gnarled fingers on her head as a blessing.

"Did you manage to sleep well?" He asked a touch anxiously and gestured to her to sit across from him on one of the curved mahogany chairs placed in a corner of the room. On the small table in front of her, was a basket laden with some fresh fruits.

"I slept very well, Grandfather. This morning, I have come to steal a share of your breakfast," she said with an impish smile.

He was the only person in front of whom Katyayani behaved in such an informal manner. It was partly because she knew that he was genuinely concerned about her and secondly, because she wanted to draw some warmth from the only relative that she acknowledged.

Soon, Bhadrak came in followed by a few servants who were carrying steaming hot dishes in their hands.

The table was soon covered with platters holding round, small pooris*, bowls filled with potato and pumpkin curries, thin and crispy jalebis* and hot masala tea in kulhads*.

The room was full of the fragrant smells and Katyayani's mouth split into a wide grin. "What is the occasion for this feast, grandfather?"

Usually, Kirtidev ate a light meal, consisting of porridge and fruits. Katyayani had been mentally prepared to eat a little here and then gorge on the street delicacies later when she went to meet Dai Maa in the music hall.

"It is a rare occasion that we eat together. Why not make it a grand one!" Kirtidev quipped.

The staff stood on the side unobtrusively while Katyayani helped pile up the food on her grandfather's plate. The two of them ate in a comfortable silence.

Half an hour later, the plates had been cleared and a silver tray containing various mouth fresheners was placed on the table.

Everyone including Bhadrak withdrew from the room.

Kirtidev stood up and walked up to the locked drawer on his study table. Katyayani followed him after picking an elaichi* from the tray and placing it in her mouth.

"This is a complete list of the properties and other assets. Have a look. Bhadrak will deliver the deeds of the same to you in a couple of days. I have transferred all these in your name," said Kirtidev, catching Katyayani unaware.

Giving a quick glance to the long list, Katyayani hurriedly tried to push the parchment back in his hand but to no avail.

"I can't accept this, Grandfather. This belongs to you. I have no need for so much," she said with all sincerity.

Kirtidev looked at her with a hint of moisture in his eyes. "This is the dowry which I have prepared for you. Had your parents been around, they would have done a lot more. Unfortunately, this old man can only do so much."

Katyayani was stunned and looked at the paper in her hand again. There were more than five properties in different parts of Mandhaar, along with a few stores, a tea hill and… the list went on.

"The reason for giving this to you now is that by the time you get married, you should be able to manage all this on your own," he said with a serious look.

Before she could come up with an appropriate way to refuse him, his emotional words hit her again.

"I am sorry that you have had to lead such a lonely life all these years. I haven't been able to do a good job at managing this house. For this sorry state of affairs, I can only apologise to you. It is a guilt that I will carry with me to the pyre. Just take this delayed apology as an old man's pathetic attempt at redemption," he uttered the last set of words in a whisper.

*Poori - is a deep-fat fried bread made from unleavened whole-wheat flour that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is eaten for breakfast or as a snack or light meal.

*Jalebis - a sweet snack made by frying batter into spiral shapes which are then coated with syrup

*Kulhads - a clay cup to serve tea, milk etc

*Elaichi - green cardamom