________________
"If it is so, then what brings you here? It seems you still love me. But don't expect flowers. Here there will be thorns also,” retorted Kosha.
“Don't worry. I am on the right path now”, said Sthulabhadra and added, “I will also carry you along that
path."
“I see," retorted Kosha in a challenging tone. But Sthulabhadra only laughed. Then Kosha herself waited on the monk at the dinner-table. Her dancing-hall now resounded to the sweet sound of her anklets and bangles. She looked so charming.
But Sthulabhadra was not taken in by her charming ways. He refused to eat from the dish prepared for him, because sadhus don't eat food prepared for them. He would gather food by begging at different houses.
But Kosha did not like his begging. Her eyes swelled with tears.
It was raining out there. Kosha tried to sleep on her bed but she couldn't. Instead, she remembered the days when this son of the King's minister visited her. She had given up loving other youths of the town. She craved for no one other than Sthulabhadra, who left for an unknown place.
Kosha was confident that her lover would not fail to return. Then on the night of Sthulabhadra's arrival, Kosha
59