After the incident at the fair, a few days passed quite well. The memory of Rupanjan's service and protection should have been etched in Snigdha's heart. But the human mind is very strange, and today the Junagarh palace saw proof of how terrible the poison of bad company can be. Snigdha had made some new friends who were blinded by the glamour of nobility. Though they were raised in the comforts of the royal palace, their minds were extremely shallow.
One day, while Snigdha was sitting in the palace corridor, smiling at the small clay doll Rupanjan had given her, her friends burst into laughter. Her closest friend remarked, "Snigdha, don't you think your taste is hitting a new low every day? I admit Rupanjan respects you, but what does he actually have? He has neither a royal appearance nor immense wealth. Are you going to waste your whole life on such an ordinary boy?" Snigdha wanted to protest, but her friends silenced her. They presented the picture and description of another boy—a prince from a foreign land, with vast riches and the looks of a fairytale hero. The continuous 'brainwashing' by her friends and their mockery of Rupanjan's simplicity slowly poured a strange poison into Snigdha's mind. She began to think, "Actually, they're right! I am a princess; I have the right to have something better."
Rupanjan noticed this change very quickly. He was still as loyal and honest as before. Whenever he came to meet Snigdha, that old smile was no longer on her face. Now, they would have bitter arguments six days out of seven. Rupanjan would ask with great affection, "Snigdha, what has happened to you? Why are you changing like this?" But Snigdha would snap back at him. She would say nastily, "Why do you want to keep me under surveillance all the time? Can't I spend some time with my friends? You're becoming too possessive, Rupanjan; I don't like any of this anymore."
Rupanjan would stand there, dumbfounded. He couldn't understand why the girl who, just a few days ago, found peace resting her head on his shoulder, now looked at him with irritation. One day, after Rupanjan had waited a long time by the riverbank, Snigdha arrived with utter contempt in her eyes. Rupanjan said calmly, "We were supposed to talk today, Snigdha; why are you so late?" Snigdha flared up and shouted, "I was busy! I was having fun with my friends. Should I sacrifice all my joy for you? Stop interrogating me all the time!"
In reality, Snigdha couldn't admit that someone else had started appearing in her thoughts. She began convincing herself that her love for Rupanjan was a mere mistake. The arguments began to reach a peak. Rupanjan saw that the love which was once serene and pure was now filled with bitterness. Snigdha now belittled him and insulted him in every conversation. It seemed as if she wanted Rupanjan to leave on his own. Rupanjan was deeply hurt, but since he loved Snigdha from his heart, he couldn't walk away despite a hundred insults. He thought perhaps it was just her temporary anger, unaware that a 'charming prince' had now taken root in his princess's heart. Those quiet afternoons of the Junagarh palace were now poisoned by loud arguments and false excuses. Snigdha's strange behavior and Rupanjan's silent struggle signaled a massive storm ahead.