The old woman’s sharp eyes bore into Rajni, making her shift uncomfortably on her feet. She was scrutinizing every inch of her as though trying to uncover some hidden truth. Finally, without taking her piercing gaze off Rajni, she addressed Srikant with a voice laden with skepticism.

"And where is that mistress of yours, the one who so proudly came to me and declared that you would marry her?" The words dripped with disdain, her tone laced with an undercurrent of warning.