‘So? Is there a law banning dance that I am not aware of?’
‘Please let me continue, your Highness. He was dancing while Sati watched in rapt
attention.’
His interest suddenly captivated, Daksha leaned forward to ask, ‘And?’
‘Sati behaved correcdy and left the moment Shiva tried to get too familiar. But Chenardhwaj
heard Shiva whisper something when Sati left.’
‘Well, what did he whisper?’
‘He whispered — Holy Lake, help me get her. I will not ask for anything else from you ever
again!’
Daksha appeared delighted. ‘You mean the Neelkanth may actually be in love with my
daughter?’
‘Your Highness, you cannot forget the laws of the land,’ exclaimed a horrified Parvateshwar.
You know that Sati cannot marry’
‘If the Neelkanth decided to marry Sati, no law on earth can stop him.’
‘My Lord, forgive me. But the entire basis of our civilisation is that nobody is above the law.
That’s what makes us who we are. Better than the Chandravanshis and the Nagas. Not even
Lord Ram was above the law. Then how can this barbarian be considered so important?’
‘Don’t you want Sati to be happy?’ asked Daksha. ‘She’s also called Parvati for a reason —
it’s because she is your goddaughter. Don’t you want her to find joy again?’
‘I love Sati like the daughter I never had, your Highness,’ said Parvateshwar, with a rare
display of emotion in his eyes. ‘I would do anything for her. Except break the law.’
‘That is the difference between you and me. For Sati’s sake, I would not mind breaking any
law. She is my daughter. My flesh and blood. She has suffered enough already. If I can find
some way to make her happy, I will do it. No matter what the consequences!’
Shiva and Nandi tied their horses in the designated area next to the main Raj at platform
market. Walking forward, Nandi guided Shiva towards one of his favourite restaurants. The
inviting aroma of freshly cooked meat brought forth a long-lost hunger in Nandi that had not
been satisfied in the past two days at the royal guest house. The owner however stopped
Shiva at the entry.
‘What’s the matter, brother?’ asked Nandi.
‘I am deeply sorry brothers. But I too am undergoing religious vows at this time,’ said the
restaurant owner politely, pointing to the beads around his throat. ‘And you know that one of the
vows is that I cannot serve meat to fellow religious vow keepers.’
Nandi blurted out in surprise, ‘But who has taken religious...’
He was stopped by Shiva who signalled downwards with his eyes at the bead covered
cravat around his throat. Nandi nodded and followed Shiva out of the restaurant.
‘This is the time of the year for religious vows, my Lord,’ explained Nandi. Why don’t you
wait on the side? There are some good restaurants on the lane at the right. I will just go and
check if we have a restaurant owner who has not taken his vows.’
Shiva nodded his ascent. As Nandi hurried off, Shiva looked around the street. It was a busy
market area with restaurants and shops spread evenly. But despite the large number of people