Jahnvi found herself laughing quite freely at lunch with the Bhosleys. She had surprisingly found a place for herself amongst them; Gauri was like a sister, Parth a friend, and Nanda Bhosley had been nothing but kind to her. Despite the warmth, Jahnvi avoided Malhar, even when he attempted to engage her in conversation.

An hour before sunset, Jahnvi excused herself from Gauri and retreated to her room to settle in. She watched through her large window as rain poured over the land. She loved the rain; although it was a rare occurrence back home, whenever it rained, her heart danced with joy.

The door to her room opened, and her maid Kanchi walked in.

"Should I bring you some tea, princess?" she asked.

"That would be wonderful. Also, if you could add a pinch of salt to my tea, please," Jahnvi requested.

"Salt? Or did you mean sugar?"

"I meant salt," Jahnvi chuckled. "We make something called pink tea back in Kashmir. I'll make some for you someday; it's absolutely amazing. We add a pinch of salt to the tea to elevate the flavor."

"That's... interesting," Kanchi said, making Jahnvi chuckle harder.

"Try it yourself, I'd suggest," Jahnvi said. She heard Kanchi gulp loudly before quickly rushing out.

Jahnvi let out a full-blown chuckle. She was new to Maratha culture, and they knew very little about Kashmir. The cultural exchange would be interesting.

The door opened again as she laughed.

"What do you want to ask me now?" Jahnvi said as she carefully lit the oil lamps placed in the notches of the pillars supporting her room.

"I think you've mistaken me for someone else," a voice said.

The voice made Jahnvi jump. She wasn't expecting to hear Malhar in her room. Any man so close to her in a chamber made her feel trapped.

"Be careful!" Malhar said, moving toward her to pull the lit oil lamp out of her hand. Jahnvi took two steps back, dropping the lamp on the floor.

Malhar stopped, looking at Jahnvi. She looked like a deer in front of a hunter, aware of its terrible fate.

"I... I am sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Malhar said, raising his hands in surrender. "I am so sorry if I—"

"Why are you here?" Jahnvi asked, her chest heaving and her breathing and heart rate quickening.

"I... I am here to give this back to you," he said, motioning his guard to give him the small trunk he held.

Jahnvi looked at the small trunk. It was hers, one the bandits had stolen.

"I was just here to return this, Ja... Shehzadi. I'm sorry if I scared you." He said. "I'll keep the trunk here and get going." He walked towards the corner table and placed the box softly, not wanting to make any noise to scare her further.

"I'm sorry," he apologized again. "I'll get going, you should—"

"Jahnvi!" The doors burst open, and Gauri waltzed inside. "Oh, Malhar?" she giggled.

"Gauri, I—"

"Good that I found you both here," she said. "I want you two to help me name them."

"Name whom?" Jahnvi asked, looking behind Gauri to find no one.

"Them," Gauri replied, raising her skirt a few inches to reveal two kittens rubbing against her leg.

"Are they yours?" Janvi asked, bending down to have a better look at the two furballs. Gauri nodded enthusiastically. "They are adorable," she said, extending her hand forward.

The brown kitten leaped toward Jahnvi and nestled itself in her arms.

"Looks like this one has taken a liking to you," Gauri said, picking up the white kitten and hugging it. "Malhar, I think this one should be mine, and Jahnvi should take that one."

"No... No, I can't. They are yours, and—"

"Are you allergic to cats?" Gauri asked, to which Jahnvi shook her head.

"Do you hate cats?"

"No, but—"

"Then it's decided that you take him, and I take this one. Now let's name them." Gauri plopped down on the carpeted floor enthusiastically.

"Do you have any suggestions, Malhar? You have been awfully quiet," Gauri said, looking at him.

Malhar quickly whipped his head towards Gauri, hoping he hadn't been caught staring at Jahnvi as she played with the brown kitten.

"Me? I... I am not good at these things, Gauri, you know."

"Hopeless as ever. You never helped me name my dolls, and now if I depend on you, my kitten shall remain nameless," Gauri sighed. "Jai would have helped me. He always does. Call him back," she pouted.

"Soon. I think I'll take my leave. I have to talk to a couple of ministers; the continued rains are making me concerned."

"All right, Malhar Raje, see you for dinner," Gauri said, ushering Jahnvi towards her bed along with their kittens.

The girls decided to name their kittens Chandni and Zoon—Chandni, as Gauri's kitten was white like unadulterated moonlight, and Jahnvi called hers Zoon, a Kashmiri endearment.

As the two girls played with their kittens, Gauri looked at Jahnvi and asked, "Did you meet Jai?" Jahnvi looked at Gauri and gave her a small smile.

"I think I did. If he was the one with Malhar Raje—tall, sharp nose, brown eyes?"

"Yes, that's the one," Gauri replied. "He is my best friend."

"I thought Parth was your best friend," Jahnvi said, turning towards Gauri as the two feline siblings started to play with each other.

"Well, Parth is my childhood friend, my first friend, but he's more like a brother to me, someone I grew up with, whereas Jai just gets me, sees past my smiles and laughter, and just knows what I want."

"Seems like quite a gentleman."

"He is. No wonder half my friends want me to introduce them to him. He isn't too bad to look at, either."

"I agree," Jahnvi said, and Gauri whipped her head at Jahnvi before the two started laughing.

"Well, when he is back, I wouldn't mind introducing you to him."

"I've already met him."

"But you haven't been introduced yet," Gauri said with a coy smile. "Who knows? The man who has been rejecting advances from all the pretty girls might finally open his heart to your beautiful being."

"I... I don't want to—"

"Everyone needs someone," Gauri said. "And it's a great deal if your partner is handsome and pleasing to look at."

"Is that why you are marrying Malhar?" Jahnvi asked reflexively. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

Gauri laughed, making Jahnvi stop her rambling apology.

"Maybe," Gauri said. "Ever since I was a child, I knew I had to marry him. I never really thought about the why's; it was decided, and I was never asked for my opinion in it. Luckily for me, Malhar is an amazing human being. I've known him as long as I've known myself. He cares for me dearly, and I am just grateful that it's him I am betrothed to. It could have been someone horrible, who knows," Gauri giggled.

"Hmm," Jahnvi hummed. "Do you love him?"

"Love whom?"

"Malhar Raje?"

"Love happens after marriage, does it not?" Gauri asked with a smile.

"I don't know. Never been married," Jahnvi joked, making Gauri laugh.

As the rain poured and clouds rumbled, the girls kept chatting and laughing. Minutes and hours passed as they deepened the foundation of their newfound friendship.