Santu walks up to DM wearing only her mangalsutra and clad in a simple sari.
Santu: Maalik, I am going.
DM does not acknowledge her, nor does he answer her. He does not realize that her feet are moving silently but with determination. Santu leaves the mansion without a backward glance but with a firm resolve. Her heart is weeping as she carries her secret but her eyes are dry. A car stops close to her and Toral gets out. Santu sits in the car and leaves.
When Santu reaches her friend Toral's house, she is welcomed by Saumil bhai and his sister who says she will reside in the house till Santu is there. DM is livid and roars into Saumil bhai's house with the intention of scolding Santu. Toral invites him in and Santu comes to the living room. DM stands up with an aggressive stance and Toral putting her arms around Santu's shoulders says to DM;
Toral: My friend Santu has expressed her desire to stay with me till she can make alternative arrangements. It should not worry you uncle. She will be safe here. (Toral leaves them alone)
DM: What is this drama Santu? What do you hope to achieve? With so many happenings in the mansion why are you trying to attract attention. Do you have any sense at all? Come home '.. (Santu suddenly puts out her hand in a motion similar to what DM always does to stop people midsentence)
Santu: I am staying with my friend to do some serious thinking about my status in the mansion. Please do not interfere.
DM: (taking a step forward in anger) Have you gone insane? (Santu puts out her hand once again and then sits down) DM is now forced to sit down.
Santu: (calmly)Hum aapke hain kaun malik?
DM: Oh so we are playing a game is it? You are married to me. Marriage is the union of a man and woman. The man earns for the home and the woman bears his children, looks after his home and obeys his demands unquestioningly. That is the meaning of a successful marriage.
Santu: You have listed the duties of the man and the woman here. Not the right answer.
DM: Dufford, stop trying to make me solve riddles. Pack up now and come home.
Santu: I will come back to you when you give me the correct answer.
Santu walks out of the room, stops, and looking over her shoulder, and asks DM, "hum aapke hain kaun malik"?
DM is very furious and goes home. He can neither eat nor sleep. He hears the sound of anklets and the swish of silk all the time. He lies down and the fragrance of Santu's hair wafts into his senses. He has a roaring headache and has not drunk tea all day. He thinks of Santu's question but cannot come up with an alternate answer. He gets into the car and drives to Meghna's house.