Dopahar ki kadi dhoop haveli ke bageeche mein aag barsa rahi thi. Parindo ki chahchahat bhi ab khamosh ho gayi thi, magar Thakur Vikram Singh ka junoon thanda hone ka naam nahi le raha tha. Usne haveli ki chaukhat par khade hokar Meera ko bahar aane ka ishara kiya.

​Meera ab bhi nangi thi, uske gore badan par rasoi ki garmi aur subah ki safai ka paseena chamak raha tha. Usne darte dharte bageeche ki taraf qadam badhaye jahan kaante aur naram ghaas dono uske nange pairon ka intezar kar rahe the.