Chapter 2 Agastya #3
He blinked silently for a moment before replying, “Stop running.” I blinked, confused, waiting for his next word. “Stop running from your past; it’s haunting your future,” he said, and I shook my head slowly, lowering my gaze.
I understood what he was implying.
“I can’t,” I replied, shaking my head. “The fear has occupied so much space within me that nothing else can coexist.”
He chuckled. “Redo the calculations, child.” His words didn’t quite make sense to me. But I nodded.
I didn’t understand why; the memory of her sitting before me that night flashed through my mind.
Silent. Hopeless. Scared. Then came the memory of her tied to that pyre, on the verge of being burned.
“Panditji,” I called, gazing at him as he raised his eyes to meet mine, a faint smile on his lips.
“I want to ask you something,” I said, speaking low, and he nodded. “A few weeks ago, I did…”
I shared everything that happened with her, and his smile grew unexpectedly.
“And now she’s scared. She’s having nightmares. Can you help me with something? Like a mantra or anything?” I asked, and he extended his hand. I looked at his palm in confusion.
“Your hand,” he said.
I shifted closer and offered it. He touched my wrist and untied the thick black thread I wore. I didn’t know how long it had been there.
Every year on Shivratri19, my Bhai-sa would replace it with a new one. He told me my mother tied it around my wrist when I was born. Everyone believed it protected me from harm because when my mother died, I fell weak and struggled to survive. That was another reason my brothers loved me so much.
He untied the thread and held it in his hand, chanting some prayers before placing it back in my palm. “Tie it around her left arm. It should remain covered,” he instructed, and I nodded.
“Okay,”
I looked at Eklavya, sitting in disbelief.
Rolling my eyes at him, I looked back at Panditji.
“You both can rest there,” he said, pointing toward the inner part of the cave.
We both touched his feet before walking away.
“You could’ve asked if we would win, but no, you asked how to get rid of her nightmares. Seriously?” Eklavya said, giving me a displeased look.
The jealousy was visible on his face.
“Winning or losing depends on our actions, and she needs help,” I replied.
“She needs help,” he mimicked me.
I immediately kicked him in the leg, knocking him to the floor.
“Ahh, I need to rest,” he groaned, and I lay on the floor, keeping the thread safe.
We both woke up and received Panditji’s blessings before returning.
While returning to Mehrangarh, I realised I had done something foolish.
“Ugh, yesterday was the Ganguar festival. We had to be back on time,” I said, looking at Eklavya with irritation.
He glanced at me. “What? I’m not getting married,”
I inhaled deeply and said, “But you could have reminded me. Bhai-sa will kill me if he ever finds out.”
He smiled and replied, “Then keep it to yourself. He’ll not find out about this huge thing either.”
I landed another punch on his back, causing him to growl in pain.
“You should stop punching me,” he stated, and I chuckled.
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After returning to Mehrangarh, I tried explaining to everyone that I had visited a temple and was late.
I felt sorry, but they shot me a hundred glares. Rashmika’s father seemed especially displeased.
After meeting Rashmika once, I left for Suryagarh, leaving Eklavya as Rashmika’s bodyguard.
When I arrived, it was past midnight. I went straight into my chamber without making too much noise.
“Welcome back, Kunwar-sa,” an attendant greeted me, and I nodded.
“Thank you,” I replied, undoing my overcoat and shoes, and finally breathing.
Home is home.
Sitting on the couch, I closed my eyes. My mind and heart still couldn’t accept what I had witnessed.
Everything was at stake, not just one kingdom but all of northern Indira.
I exhaled deeply and heard the attendant ask, “Shall we bring your dinner?”
I nodded, and she left.
I quickly took a bath and changed into a loose, long dhoti20. I needed to devise a plan, so I searched the library for the latest Indira’s map.
After clearing the table, I spread out the map.
I needed to think. I had to act. My eyes searched for the least populated areas in the coming months. My mind raced to determine where Mehrangarh could conceal it, and what, exactly?
Suddenly, I heard someone clear their throat. I glanced at her for a moment as she stood in the library doorway, her fingers nervously intertwined.
She was in dark green attire, with a dupatta on her head, the ends falling to the sides and tucked at her waist. Her braid rested on her shoulder, snaking along her curves.
I gulped, unable to let go of the moment she fisted her hands on my chest, pulling me closer like she owned me. Her every breath remained imprinted on my mind. I had heard no one’s heartbeat so clearly before.
“Your dinner,” she pulled me out of my thoughts, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Not in the mood today,” I replied, and she frowned in confusion.
“But you asked for dinner,” she said innocently, and I looked at her, nodding.
“Yes, I asked for dinner, not dinner.” My gaze couldn’t stop watching her from head to toe.
She inhaled deeply, shrinking, and I could see the tension and confusion on her face.
The library’s lighting was dim, casting a soft glow from the fire torches and lamps onto her face. Although beautiful, she looked confused as she silently blinked at me.
I broke eye contact, mentally shaking my head to stop soaking in her face.
“Your dinner—not dinner—is waiting outside,” she said, tilting her head, frowning.
A smirk lingered on my face.
Wild.
She had never talked to me like that before. We had been around each other, but never conversed like this. There was palpable tension between us.
For example, I was half naked, and she wasn’t moving her gaze away.
I walked around the table, perched on its edge, and crossed my arms.
“Have you been fired from your position as a head maid by Bhabhi-sa?” I asked, her gaze shifting to confusion. I was aware of her nervousness.
Shaking her head, she replied, “No, why?”
I lowered my gaze and stepped closer. Slowly.
“Why are you awake this late? You should be resting. You shouldn’t be here,” I pointed, and she met my eyes as I stood before her.
“I understand,” she said. “However, I must handle Nandani’s responsibilities as the queen’s head maid.
Since she is busy being pregnant, I need to manage everything.
You’re her family, and as your sister-in-law and queen, she should look after your meals, but she is pregnant.
Fortunately,” she blabbered, and I nodded, absorbing her words.
“But you could’ve sent someone else with the dinner,” I reminded her.
She lowered her gaze, and her dark, rosy lips fell silent.
“Are you trying to accuse me of something?” she asked, lifting her bold gaze to meet mine, and a smile appeared on my face.
“Like what?” I countered.
She rolled her eyes and fell silent, stepping back and shaking her head.
“I should go,” she said, taking a few steps away.
I immediately called out, “Suno!” “Hey!”
She turned back, her striking eyes flashing with anger. “Ji,” her voice showed how badly she was affected.
“Come here,” I said, but she shook her head.
“I’ll send someone else.”
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