Chapter 33
Awave of laughter followed by Kunwar-sa’s grumbling. And suddenly, Princess Rudraja started crying, looking at me.
I inhaled sharply.
Not now, Princess, please. I can’t look into your family’s eyes after being found red-handed with your Kaako-sa. I spoke to her in my mind as if she could understand or hear me.
“Ugh… Bhai-sa, why are you doing this? What did I ever do to you?” Kunwar-sa sputtered in exasperation, and I just wanted the earth to swallow me whole. I was so embarrassed.
The mere thought of them having heard my moans... oh, no, please.
“Oh, but we’re not doing anything. Everyone’s waiting for the celebration to begin. I thought the whole family should be there, right, Suman?” Ranaji said, and I squeezed my eyes shut, mortified by their teasing.
“Leave it, Rudra, she must’ve lost her voice,” I heard Nandani's voice.
Then, suddenly, Kunwar-sa said, “Come on, Bhai-sa, come with me,”
I looked at him, wrapping his hands around his brother's shoulders, and they all laughed together.
“I’m not sparing you for what you did on our wedding night,” Prince Ranvijay said.
“Neither am I for calling my wife yours,” Ranaji added.
“Ugh… please, Bhai-sa, I was a kid,”
The three of them walked away, and I slowly looked up to look at Nandani and Princess Aishwarya, who were looking at me with playful grins, making me gulp nervously.
“Chaliye, Devrani-sa47, aapka aapke naye parivaar se parichay karaate hain,” “Come on, Devrani-sa, let’s introduce you to your new family.” Nandani said, and I could just nod, giving a slight, anxious smile.
Princess Aishwarya touched my shoulder and whispered, “By the way, Suman, what were you doing?”
Furrowing my brows together, I asked, “You all heard us?”
And suddenly, Nandani laughed. “Oh, no, we were just messing with you,” she said, and just when I was about to sigh in peace, she added, “We heard nothing except Agastya telling you that you will be under him and at his mercy.”
“No…” I squeaked, hiding my face, wishing I could disappear. “You’re all so bad,” I whined, hearing them laugh. “This is so wrong, Nandani. I’m your friend; you could’ve saved me from this embarrassment,” I exclaimed, looking at her, and she smiled, feigning innocence.
“I did,” she said, stifling her smile. “I tried to save you by saying that you two were not talking about your upcoming wedding night.” And burst out laughing.
I gritted my teeth and looked at Princess Aishwarya, who laughed along, glancing at me.
“Well, I’m out,” she said, lifting her hands, and suddenly Princess Rudraja began crying again, stretching her hand out to me. I took her in my arms, and she instantly clung to me, wrapping her tiny hands around my neck, nuzzling my cheeks.
“Stop it, Rudraja, your Kaako-sa might have licked that,” Nandani said, and I glared at her, earning a giggle from her.
“Just kidding.” Rolling my eyes, I smiled anyway.
“Well, he did,” I played along, and Princess Aishwarya’s eyes widened with shock, and she immediately leaned in, stepping forward.
“Before marriage?” she asked, and I shook my head.
“No, it's just a bit of love,” I explained, and Nandani placed her hand on Princess Aishwarya's shoulder. “You know, Aishwarya, I found them sleeping together in Agastya's bedroom,”
Her eyes grew even wider, and I glared at Nandani.
“Please, Nandani, don’t start. Have you forgotten the times when you used to sneak into Ranaji’s chamber before marriage and ask him to take you?” I asked, and she chuckled. “Ah, I seem to have forgotten that.”
And just like that, laughing and teasing, we walked toward the lavishly decorated celebration hall. I looked at Rani-maa Abhishree and Daadi-sa with Queen Trisha. Walking toward them, Nandani hugged everyone one by one, followed by Princess Aishwarya, who also greeted them.
I couldn’t believe how much Princess Aishwarya had changed. When she had arrived at the palace for the first time, she had been much more reserved, quiet, and shy. But now, she no longer hesitated to greet or talk to people.
I stepped forward and bent to touch Daadi-sa's feet once they were done.
“God bless you,” she said, placing her hand on my head and holding my shoulders.
“Kitni sundar lag rahi ho, Suman. Phoote bhaag Bhan Singh ke ki heera haath se gawa betha.” “How beautiful you look, Suman. Poor Bhan Singh’s fate; he lost a gem like you.
” I blinked at the ground, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks.
She held my chin up with a smile. “Parantu tum chintit na hona. Jab tak hum tumhaare liye ek accha var na khoj lenge tak hum apna deh nahi tyaagenge,” “But don’t you worry. I shall not die until I find you a groom.” she said, and Nandani chuckled from behind.
Daadi-sa frowned at her and asked, “Why are you laughing?”
I just smiled and moved to Rani-maa Abhishree, and bent to touch her feet. She stopped me midway and pulled me into a warm hug.
“How is my second daughter doing?” she asked, and I smiled.
“I’m good, Rani-maa. How are you?” I asked, holding her hands in mine. She used to look so beautiful; she still was, but her face had lost its charm after King Ranvardhan’s demise. However, she seemed to do fine.
“I’m just getting better day by day. Trisha and the kids don’t leave me alone even for a moment. Honestly, they tire me sometimes,” she said, letting out a tiring sigh, making me chuckle.
“Daadi-sa, there’s no need for you to look for Suman's groom anymore; she has already found him.” I heard Nandani telling Daadi-sa and rolled my eyes before meeting Queen Trisha. She hugged me and took Princess Rudraja from my hands.
“How are you, Rani-sa?” I asked, and she gave a warm smile.
“Hum theek hain, Suman, aap bataaiye?”
“I’m good, Suman, how about you?” she asked, but before I could reply, I heard Daadi-sa’s voice.
“What? Who? Why am I the last person to know about everything?” I heard her asking, frustrated.
Nandani winked at me with a grin. I shook my head slowly.
It was the princess’s birthday. I wanted to avoid any events.
“Who is it, Suman?” Rani-maa asked, placing her finger on my chin, making me look at her.
“Bata doon, Suman?”
“Should I tell, Suman?” Nandani teased, and I sighed in exasperation before looking at Rani-maa.
“I hate her, Rani-maa,” I groaned.
She chuckled and hugged me while Nandani spilt everything to them.
“Well, well, apparently, my dear Devar-sa, Kunwar Agastya Dev Singh and my dearest friend, Sumanika, are getting married,”
“What??” Daadi-sa blurted out in shock, and I looked at Rani-maa, who seemed equally stunned, their eyes and mouths wide open.
“Ji, Daadi-sa, Jiji is right,” Princess Aishwarya added.
Daadi-sa immediately looked at me, and I shook my head.
“I can’t believe this, Nandani. We still have to talk,” I tried to intone, but Daadi-sa hugged me tightly.
“Oh, my goodness, I’m so happy. I always knew that man had something for you since the day I saw him sitting between us and teasing you with Rudraja,” she said, and I closed my eyes in embarrassment.
“I’m so happy for you, Suman,” Queen Trisha said, and I smiled shyly, looking at the ground.
“Congratulations, child,” Daadi-sa wished in her trembling, tired voice, and her face turned slightly red. “Nandani,” she turned to look at her.
“Ji, Daadi-sa,” Nandani asked.
“I think Suman’s wedding should take place in Pratapgarh. On your wedding, we couldn’t enjoy as much as we had dreamt, and Suman is like our daughter. So, I want her to be married off from the royal palace of Pratapgarh,” Daadi-sa said, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks.
“But, Daadisa—”
“That’s such a good idea,” Rani-maa interrupted, even before I could speak.
“But there is no need. I mean, why bother?” I tried to state, but Queen Trisha made me turn to look at her.
“Humein to keval utsav manaane ka avsar chaahiye. Aur kitna accha lagega, dono parivaar milenge, harshoullaas hongi, baatein hongi. Hum to kisi ko abhi itna jaan bhi nahi paaye hain. Isi bahaane apne parivaar ko, Nandani Jiji ko, aur sabhi ko jaan paane ka avsar milega,” “We’re looking for an excuse to celebrate.
And how wonderful it will be when both families come together to have fun, talk, and enjoy each other’s company.
And I haven’t really had the chance to get to know anyone yet.
Through this, I’ll be able to get to know my family, Nandani Jiji, and everyone else better.
” Queen Trisha said, and I simply blinked.
“Seriously, this is so good. I’m so excited,” Princess Aishwarya squealed. However, amidst all of this, I didn’t really know what to say. It was my second marriage, and spending such a fortune on this made me feel apprehensive. I wondered if I was worthy.
“Um, I think you should talk to Ranaji about what he thinks of Agastya’s wedding,” Nandani said with a warm smile.
I didn’t know why, but it felt as if everything was happening way too fast. Everyone was already talking about my wedding. I couldn’t process it.
Everyone talked as they walked toward the ceremony. I quietly followed behind, listening to their plans for our Haldi48, Mehendi49, and Sangeet50.
Upon reaching the pavilion, I found the priest waiting for Ranaji, Nandani, and Princess Rudraja to be ready for the hawan, sitting before the hawankund.
Behind them, Prince Ranvijay and Princess Aishwarya also sat, and suddenly, I felt my hand being gripped from behind. I looked back, finding Kunwar-sa.
He smiled softly and kissed my hand before walking us closer to the space behind Princess Aishwarya and Prince Ranvijay. I was flabbergasted, so I turned around, only to find the astonishment on people’s faces. Even the attendants were giving me looks.
“Kunwar-sa, sab dekh rahe hain,” “Kunwar-sa, everyone’s watching.” I whispered, and he smirked.
“Then enjoy the attention,” he muttered and pulled me down to sit beside him.