It was past mid-morning when Aditi parked her jeep in front of the Royal Equestrian Club of Palampur. There were not many cars here today; patrons usually came towards the end of the week when most of the races were scheduled. Walking in, she waved at some jockeys and trainers sitting in the cafeteria. The stands which were usually full of viewers and racegoers were completely empty. The day was already unbearably hot and Aditi, despite wearing only a light t-shirt and jodhpurs, was already drenched in sweat.

Walking towards the track behind, she emerged in the hot sun. There, in an enclosure a few meters away, were the Raisingh horses. A groom stood attention waiting for her, she noticed it was not Grandpa Raisingh's usual groom.

"Good morning, Balbir," she wished the young man. "What are you doing here today? And where is Ratan Chacha?"

"Good morning, Di," he answered smiling. "Father's unwell, so I am filling in for some time."

"Is it his arthritis again?" Aditi asked wondering. "Has he been taking his regular medicines?"

Balbir shook his head. "He takes when he remembers. And he usually forgets when he is in Badari."

Aditi frowned. Badari was Ratan Chacha's native, a distant hamlet on their land tucked up in the mountains that surrounded Palampur. She'd visited it with her parents when she was little. There was no electricity or water supply forget about a doctor or pharmacy. Ratan chacha couldn't have chosen a worse place to be at this time.

"Why is he there if he is ill?" she asked a little irritated.

"They are setting a new government school there. They needed someone old to convince people to send their kids." Balbir shrugged and picked a saddle.

Aditi hummed. A new school, now that was interesting! Maybe a visit to Badari was due soon. But for now, she had some new blood to taste. Turning to the enclosure she surveyed the horses with interest. A dappled grey mare, a chestnut bay, a black gelding. Aditi smiled. Grandpa Raisingh was more for show than substance, anyone could tell. The horses looked majestic. But even from this distance, she could tell not all were racehorse material.

Soon she got busy, checking their hooves, coats, manes, tails, and finally teeth. Then she put on her helmet and took one out to the track.

*****

Dalpat Raisingh watched from the executive viewing gallery as Aditi took his grey mare for a ride. The horse looked a bit surly, being ridden by an unknown rider but Aditi was doing an excellent job of controlling it.

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He shook his head in wonder. The girl never failed to amaze him. He had been there when she was born twenty-three years ago, it was a day to remember. The first daughter in the Sharma family in generations, her birth was celebrated like never before. She was the apple of Balwant's eye. And after her parent's tragic death, her status was automatically elevated to that of the most valuable person in the household. The girl had thrived with the attention hardly missing her parents. Or if she missed them, she hid it well.

He was surprised when somewhere along the way she had also taken her medical degree. No one expected academic excellence from her, and neither did anyone expect her to make a career. But the girl had done it anyway. It might be something about the way her parents died that propelled her forward, Dalpat mused.

"She's grown into a stunning young woman," he said to Balwant, his childhood friend, who stood next to him watching his granddaughter proudly.

"Yes," Balwant answered smiling. "Beautiful like her mother. Raucous and vivacious, like her father."

Dalpat chuckled. Meera and Susheel couldn't have been more different from each other. He still remembered them from years ago. Beautiful, shy, elegant Meera, the only daughter of an industrialist had fallen in love with Balwant's rowdy elder son. They complemented each other perfectly. He had served to open her up and she toned him down. Then came Aditi and their happiness was complete. But alas, fate had planned something else for them.

"I think it's time to act on our earlier agreement. What do you say?" Dalpat asked thoughtfully.

His friend didn't answer immediately. He seemed to be lost in thoughts. "I don't know, Dalpat. It was our understanding. But kids nowadays have their own ideas...especially about marriage and stuff." His eyes followed Aditi on the track, it looked like she was having some trouble with the bay horse. "She's just finished her graduation. I don't know if she wants to do a post-graduation."

Dalpat scoffed. "She doesn't want to pursue studies Balwant. I have asked her already. It's that hospital she's obsessed with currently."

Both the old men fell silent. It was a pregnant silence, a guilty one. The deaths of Susheel and Meera hung in the air awkwardly.

"We need a hospital here. We should have set it up ages ago, but we never cared enough." Balwant said tiredly.

"Yes, yes. There is no point in crying over spilled milk," Dalpat waved off impatiently. "And she can set up her hospital after marriage, what's the big deal? Ladies of her stature are supposed to have some philanthropic past-times. A hospital for the poor and needy would be perfect. And I am sure Vivaan wouldn't mind."

Balwant stiffened. He loved his friend, but it was statements like this that made him wish he'd never agreed to the match. It was in a moment of wine-induced bonhomie when he'd agreed to marry Aditi with Vivaan. She was six and he was ten. He'd pulled her hair and she'd pushed him into the pool. Both grandfathers had laughed heartily at their antics while watching from the poolside. It was then that the idea struck.

"I don't know Dalpat," he replied stiffly. "I won't force her. It has to be her decision."

"And she'd say yes," Dalpat replied serenely. "She likes Vivaan. And he is crazy for her. I don't see a problem."

"We'll see," Balwant replied turning his eyes back to the track.

"We will, indeed." his friend answered confidently.

***** *****