I was standing under a lone leafy Bodhi tree. Its branches stretched out to one side for the alms of light. The sky was glowing from the blissful early dawn as I was waiting for Amarisa inside the forbidden Asoak Garden.

But I was still mourning over my companionship with Kesar. It had ended terribly with the constant nagging of guilt and regret gnawing away at my heart. Was I being too harsh on the poor Kennari?

She had not caused anything that would interfere with or belie my love for Amarisa. The maiden even went on pleading and even said things that should have been better left unsaid.

'If...