Chapter 1 Suman #7
“Ji,” I responded slowly.
He went on, “Bhojan mat banaya karo.” “Don’t cook.”
I blinked in silence, curious to ask, “Why?”
He lifted his lazy gaze and replied flatly, “Dar jaaogi,” “You will get scared.”
I gulped at his words and lowered my gaze.
“Jinke sir par kisike saaye nahi hote wo dar se darkar nahi reh sakte, Kunwar-sa.” “Those who do not have shadows over their head can’t afford to be scared, Kunwar-sa.” I said, watching him take a deep breath and nod as he stood up.
He was tall and well-built, and his dark-dusted outfit suited him perfectly.
Approaching slowly and silently, he stopped two feet from me.
He gently touched my head over my dupatta, caressing it slowly while whispering, “Kuch nahi hoga… hum hain,” “Nothing will happen… I’m here.”
His words suddenly felt heavy in my heart.
I blinked and stepped back from him, with tears blurring my vision.
“Good night, Kunwar-sa,” I wished, and he nodded before returning to work. After returning the plates to the kitchen, I fell asleep in my room.
He was in the palace, and so I could peacefully fall asleep.
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The next few days had passed similarly, but unlike during his absence, we had several encounters since he had been in the palace.
Sometimes, we would bump into each other in Nandani and Ranaji’s chamber; other times, we took strolls.
As always, we pretended not to recognise each other outside our roles as a prince and a servant.
A week later, after cleaning her bedroom on an ordinary day, I returned to Nandani’s courtyard. Soft peals of laughter came from the garden side.
Curious, I walked over and noticed them chatting and laughing. Leaning against a pile of pillows, Nandani gently caressed her big belly while talking with Princess Aishwarya, Prince Ranvijay, and Kunwar-sa.
As I stepped closer, I saw him lying on his back, his head perched on Prince Ranvijay’s lap.
“And, Bhabhi-sa, do you remember when we tried to sneak out of the palace?” Kunwar-sa said, and laughter erupted. Prince Ranvijay joined in, too.
“What is this? When did that happen?” Princess Aishwarya asked, and I smiled, watching them laugh attentively at him while he spoke.
“Choti Bhabhi-sa, Bhabhi-sa was planning to visit the people of the kingdom. She was sure that Bhai-sa wouldn’t let her, so she came to me, and we made a deal to sneak out,” he chuckled heartily.
“And you know what he asked in return, Aishwarya?” Nandani asked, looking at Princess Aishwarya, who replied with amusement.
“What? What did he ask for in return?”
Nandani’s eyes sparkled with joy as she spoke, gesturing animatedly with her hands. “He asked me to make someone jealous in return.”
Princess Aishwarya’s eyes widened. “You mean a girl?”
Nandani nodded and laughed.
He playfully palmed his face and shook his head. “No, no, no, that wasn’t real, Bhabhi-sa.”
A smile spread across my lips.
“Devar-sa, you’re quite a man. I mean, how many girls?” Princess Aishwarya teased, and he just laughed.
“Hey, don’t mess with him like that, Aishwarya,” Prince Ranvijay said, and they all laughed again.
“Does Ranaji know about all this?” Princess Aishwarya asked, glancing between Nandani and Prince Ranvijay while Nandani shook her head.
“It’s nothing serious,” Prince Ranvijay said. “He just jokes around,”
“He’s full of secrets, Aishwarya,” Nandani added.
They chuckled softly, and he laughed, glancing up at Princess Aishwarya.
Suddenly, his eyes fell on me, and I shivered.
My smile shrank, and I lowered my gaze.
“Nothing was serious, Bhabhi-sa.” His voice was now serious, and laughter was long gone. “I was just trying to see how popular I was with girls.”
“Suman,” I heard Nandani’s voice and looked in her direction.
He was watching me, piercing me to my bones with his gaze.
“Huh?”
I walked closer to her as Princess Aishwarya asked, “Alright, so what’s your biggest secret, Devar-sa?” She inquired.
He looked at her before looking back at me.
“I already have a wife,” he chuckled at the end, and everyone laughed.
I sat frozen.
Goosebumps crawled over my skin, and a knot tightened in my stomach. Glancing at Nandani, who was laughing and looking at me, I quickly forced a smile as best as possible.
“Suman… can you ask someone to warm the water for me?” Nandani asked between her laughter, and I nodded.
“Yes,”
I looked at Prince Ranvijay, gently patting his cheek. “Don’t say things like that. You’re getting married in five months. Be loyal to your future wife.”
He chuckled softly and nodded. “I am, Bhai-sa, I really am.”
“Aww… he loves her so much already,” Nandani commented.
I stood up and heard him say.
“Let the talks of love gather dust on the shelves, Bhabhi-sa,” his smile weakened.
I looked at him again, momentarily lifting my gaze to meet his eyes. He looked at me.
“Why is that?” Princess Aishwarya asked, and he lowered his gaze.
“Wo humaara prem jhel nahi paayegi, Bhabhi-sa.” “She wouldn’t be able to handle my love, Bhabhi-sa.” he said.
Then, Prince Ranvijay inquired, “Why not? You’ll need to give her a chance.”
He shook his head and smiled. “I’m done giving chances, Bhai-sa,” he said.
“You know what,” Princess Aishwarya ran her fingers through his hair and replied, “She will make you fall in love with her. I’m sure of it.”
He smiled, glanced at her, and took a deep breath before glancing at me and replying, “I’m loyal, Bhabhi-sa.”
Everyone turned confused. I quickly lowered my gaze and turned to walk away from there.
Is he talking about me?
“By the way, when are you leaving for Mehrangarh?” I suddenly heard Nandani ask, and I turned to look at him.
What? Is he leaving? Again.
Why?
“This evening,” he replied.
She then asked, “Should I have someone pack some food for the trip?”
He answered, “Yes,” and Nandani called out again.
“Suman,” I looked at her, and she smiled at me. “Can you pack something for Devar-sa?” and I nodded silently.
“Only fruits, Bhabhi-sa, nothing else,” he exclaimed in a hurry.
I looked at him, and Nandani reiterated, “Only fruits.”
I nodded, walking away from there.
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