Hi Chitra,
I have so many feelings after I read this chapter, they are all over the place so forgive the randomness. You are such a good writer and pay such attention to detail it surprisingly brought back a rush of memories for me, not just Advay.
That scene on the terrace with the Mahant's antique easy chair and him chanting hymns, Advay sitting at his feet doing homework, combined with Advay having dinner reminded me of my grandfather. Whenever we visited India as kids, grandfather would be sitting on a terrace in his easy chair, while we sat at his feet as he taught us to write the local language. He would sing Carnatic hymns and drink filter coffee while eating some snack. There was no gushing Ganges but the roar of traffic in the distance, but this scene you wrote took me straight to one of my cherished childhood memories. Thank you so much. I can't thank you enough for that.
It is the little details like those that make you are great writer. I absolutely love your Chandini. I could never connect with the serial Chandini because on one hand she is wearing the most modern sari drapes showing her navel with a stranger in the house but she cannot work ? There were so many jarring discrepancies in the serial Chandini, but not your Chandini. I love how she covered her toes with her sari. The modesty that I imagined that was so much part of a Mahant daughter is there. She not working despite highly educated works for me. What I love about your story is I don't have to make leaps of logic to justify things or make an excuse of it is a desi soap it is not supposed to make sense. It just flows. Thank you so much for the attention to detail you pay. It is such a pleasure to read.
Chandini and BDSM in this story will not be out of place. Sanskaari and sensual can go hand in hand if written with care and respect like you do. Looking forward greatly to read about the Mahaarti and the opening of the treasure. Thank you once again. If you ever decide to publish this, I will definitely buy it. You are that good and I mean it sincerely.