The three girls—Shweta, Rekha, and Ananya—stared intently at Kalki. Just then, Maya emerged and playfully chided, "Hey, you lot! Why are you staring at my son like that? If you even think of taking him with you, I'll chop you up, I'll bite you!" She started down the stairs, but Radha, standing nearby, laughed loudly. "What, elder sister!" she called out. "Who would take him? Even God couldn't take him from us. Do you think they can separate Kalki from us?" She giggled softly. "Okay, Kalki, come on in, put on your dress!" Maya, Akshara, and Meenakshi urged him to