Chapter 35 - Suman #4
“Suman,” Daadi-sa called. “You tell me, should we perform all the rituals here in Mahabaleshgarh? Both families can stay here together until the wedding and complete all the traditions. Then you can leave for your home. What do you say?”
I blinked at her questions. Half of the things she said flew above my head. I looked at Rani-maa, then back at Daadi-sa.
“Whatever you think is right, Daadi-sa,” I muttered, and she smiled.
“So, Suman also wants it. Now you say,” Daadi-sa spoke, looking at Nandani.
She stayed silent for a moment, then said, “Let me ask Ranaji, also, you should consult Nandan once. If this is the final decision, then we’ll call for more stuff from Suryagarh,” she suggested.
“Yes,” Rani-maa remarked. “We should ask them first to see if there’s any need for them in Suryagarh or not,”
Daadi-sa’s expression fell. I didn’t know why, but she was more excited about my wedding than anyone else. She was the truly happy kid here.
“Alright, let me ask Ranaji,” Nandani said, standing up. Everyone got back to discussing the plans for the rituals. And I sat there quietly, feeling the foreign weight on my ankles.
The anklets were heavy; I had never worn such weighty ornaments before. Looking at all the jewellery I had received as gifts, I realised all that metal would soon drown me under its weight.
I inhaled sharply at just the thought of it. Yet, it felt good. So good.
Nandani came back after some time.
“Ranaji said that he and Prince Ranvijay will have to return to the kingdom to send the invitations and look after a few things. They’ll leave tomorrow and be back by the day after tomorrow. He said the rest of us can stay here,” she informed and sat beside Princess Aishwarya.
“You tell, Aishwarya,” Nandani asked Princess Aishwarya. “Do you want to go with Prince Ranvijay or stay here? Well, I think you should avoid travelling. It’s about just one day, so you can stay here, right?”
I just stayed silent.
“I’m actually really enjoying it here,” Princess Aishwarya replied with a smile. “I’ll stay here with everyone.”
“Aishwarya is my favourite,” suddenly Daadi-sa interrupted. “She’s such a well-behaved child. You should learn something from her, Nandani.” She grumbled under her breath by the end, and all of us broke into laughter.
Nandani made a face, but said nothing.
“Alright, then,” Queen Trisha rose from her seat. “I should go, look after the arrangements of the guest chambers and see to the preparations for the dinner.”
“Wait, Bhabhi-sa,” Nandani stopped her, standing up. “Let me come with you.” That’s when Princess Aishwarya stepped forward.
“I’m coming too,”
“No,” Nandani cut in quickly. “You should rest,” she said firmly.
Princess Aishwarya smiled at her. “Oh ho, Jiji, I’m fine; this weight gain is making me insane; I need to walk.”
I chuckled at their affectionate banter, fading into the distance as they left the place. I stayed with Daadi-sa until evening, after which everyone retired to their allotted chambers.
Once I had returned to my chamber, I flopped onto the bed, exhausted from the day. My stomach growled even more. I placed my hands on my stomach.
Yes, I felt the hunger in my body, but not in my heart. It was rather content. I had never thought I’d find such a wonderful family ever.
A group of attendants had followed me. I sat up, seeing Reva stepping into the room with a broad smile.
“Congratulations, Suman,” she said, hugging me. I tightened the hug and exhaled.
“Thank you so much, Reva,” I murmured and pulled her beside me.
“You know how this feeling is?” she asked softly.
I furrowed my brows. “How?”
“Um… It’s like a dream,” she sighed contentedly. “Climbing the stairs of the royal palace, walking through the corridors as a prince’s wife—people wouldn’t dare raise their voices at you. They wouldn’t dare hurt you. And when one of us is climbing that ladder, it feels like a personal win,”
I smiled at her weakly.
“It’s not a win, Reva,” I said, biting my lower lip. “It is rather a challenge—a test of walking with naked feet on the burning coal, where at every step I’ll have to prove myself worthy enough to sit among the royals,” I paused, looking away.
Then added, “These people here, they’re my family, from the beginning.
They never made me feel like an outsider.
The actual battle will begin after marriage, when I’ll have to attend many events, not just as his wife, but as this kingdom’s princess, and meet other royal princesses. It’d be a death trap.”
I held Reva’s hand and sighed shakily. “To be honest, I’m scared, Reva.
What if, after marrying me, Kunwar Agastya became a subject of mockery?
What if people ridiculed him at every step for falling in love with a common maid like me?
And what if he realises it was actually a mistake?
I fear that, Reva, I fear exactly that.” My voice trembled by the end.
She smiled, shaking her head.
“Do you think Kunwar-sa cares about what people have to say? If someone would try pointing out your one flaw, he’d show the world your thousand virtues. And you know him better than anyone; he’s got a sharp tongue. No one can win a debate against him,” she said, making me chuckle at the end.
“Yeah, I know that very well,”
“Hey, love,” Suddenly, his voice from a distance alerted us, and Reva immediately rose from the bed.
He stepped into the room with a plate in his hand.
“Your dinner, Your Highness,” he said chivalrously, bowing slightly.
My eyes bulged out. I looked at Reva, who looked at me, with her lips pursed, as if she was trying to contain her smile.
I looked down, closing my eyes.
“What’re you doing?” I hissed quietly, standing up from the bed.
He frowned. “You asked me to be Suman for one day, so I’m practising,” he said sheepishly.
I watched Reva walk out, then quickened my steps to him.
Taking the plate from his hand, I muttered, “Not here, Kunwar-sa,”
“Then where?” he questioned, strutting around the table. He sat on the couch, spreading his arms wide. “I’ll stay here with you,” he added.
I shook my head and put the plate down on the table.
“No,” I said firmly.
Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and pulled me down, making me fall onto his lap.
Before I could wiggle my way out, he wound his arm around my waist tightly.
A low, painful moan slipped past my lips, forced out by his strength.
“Tumhe poore din bhookhe rehne ko kisne kaha tha? Suhaagraat mein humein kisi bhi prakaar ki adchan nahi chaahiye. Bhojan samay par grahan kiya karo aur sehat banao,” “Who told you to stay hungry the entire day? I don’t want any obstructions on our wedding night.
Eat your meals on time and take care of your health. ”
His words sent a shocking chill down my spine. I shook my head abruptly.
“Tanik bhi lajja nahi aati aapko? Keval suhaagraat ke liye vivaah kar rahe hain kya aap humse?” “Don’t you feel even a bit of shame? Are you marrying me only for the wedding night?” I snapped.
He stared at my lips for a moment, then mumbled, “Haan, vivaah ka shuruaati ek maah keval suhaagraat ke liye.” “Yes, the initial month of marriage is solely for wedding nights.”
I rolled my eyes, pushed him away, and shifted off his lap.
“Shut up, Kunwar-sa, you must know that such things will need my consent,” I retorted.
When my stomach rumbled again, I pulled the plate toward me.
“I know,” he said. “I will ask for your consent, don’t worry,” and tugged gently at my braid.
As he leaned in and inhaled the scent of my hair, the dupatta slipped from my head, and a shy smile curved my lips.
“I like this fragrance,” he murmured, but I kept my focus on eating.
“Bhookhi kyun thi tum subah se? Humein sunkar bilkul accha nahi laga,” “Why were you starving yourself since morning? I didn’t like that when I heard.” he added in an adorably concerned tone that it left me awed.
“I wasn’t really hungry,” I replied, chewing my food.
He placed his head on my shoulder, and his weight made me tilt sideways. Grabbing my elbow, he pulled me back into place and leaned against me again, but I slanted once more.
Annoyed, I pushed him away, and he clicked his tongue in frustration.
“Bhojan mein kya grahan karti ho? Hawa? Kuch nahi bachaa hai tum mein.” “What do you eat for meals, air? There’s nothing left of you.” he gritted, making me chuckle.
He scooted aside slightly and placed his head in my lap. My hands froze mid-air, unsure whether to push him away or give in.
“Kunwar-sa, humein bhook lagi hai. Bhojan karne dijiye; tang na kariye humein.” “Kunwar-sa, I’m hungry. Please let me eat; don’t trouble me.”
But our prince turned a deaf ear, closed his eyes, propped his legs on the armrest, and relaxed as if he were on a bed.
“I’m not troubling you. You may carry on with your meal.”
I tried to focus on eating, but he kept shifting in my lap. Finally, he turned and nuzzled his face into my stomach. His warm breath brushed the fabric, raising goosebumps along my skin. He drew his legs up to his chest and fell asleep like a child.
I rested my free hand over his head, careful not to spill food on him, and let him be.
Once I finished eating, I washed my hands in a bowl nearby and leaned down with a smile. As my lips touched his forehead, he frowned in his sleep.
“Don’t… don’t leave me, Suman,” he mumbled, half-asleep. “Please… don’t go. I won’t… breathe the same without you.”
When his incoherent words sank in, my smile vanished. The man who was always joking around had such fear instilled in him. Even though we were going to get married, he was begging me in his sleep never to leave him.
I didn’t know how to react or what to say. All I knew was I’d never leave him.
Suddenly, an announcement echoed through the chamber.
“Badi Rani-sa is entering the chamber.”
My heart raced. I quickly patted his shoulder. “Kunwar-sa, Daadi-sa is coming.”
As the sound of the footsteps neared, my heart nearly jumped out of my mouth.