There is nothing like a long absence to cure an addiction. And Binita seemed to have taken good advantage of a prolonged absence from her in-law's place to cure herself of the lust she felt for Thakur, her husband's father.

The last time she had met with him had been on Holi, the year before last. She had avoided going with her husband Pritam for the ritual family visit on more than one occasion, including the next following Holi. Staying away on Holi in particular had been an important act of self-control for her because it was the preceding Holi where she had completely lost herself.