Chapter 36 - Agastya
Ichuckled at her fierce little response.
The glow on her face, reflected in the mirror, made her look like perfection. She looked… breathtaking.
“I want to stay here with you,” I said.
She huffed and tried to push my hands away, but when she couldn’t, she sighed deeply and ignored me.
Taking the bangles, she tried slipping them on one by one. Her delicate palms looked beautiful.
“Let me help,” I said, taking the bangles from her hand.
As I pressed her hand slightly to slide one on, she let out a soft sound of discomfort.
My teeth dug into my lower lip.
“Bas itne mein hi aah nikal gayi?” “You’re moaning at such a slight inconvenience?”
She blinked at me timidly.
“Your hands are rough, Kunwar-sa,” she murmured. “The force you apply and the force I feel are very different.”
I nodded once. “Then, at every touch, you’ll have to tell me if it’s right for you.”
She blushed at my remark.
Once the bangles were done, I picked the rings and gently slipped them onto her fingers.
“What if…” she trailed off, looking down at our hands. “… the force I like is not what you like?”
I gulped, blinking at her once. Warm air enclosed us, and I let out a shaky sigh.
“I’ll like everything you like, Suman,” I whispered. “It’s just a matter of time before you know it. And…”
I paused, leaning forward to take the armlet from the table. I could feel her watching my every move as I turned her sideways and tied the accessory around her forearm.
“And…” I continued. “… with time, you will know what I like.”
She swallowed visibly, looking into my eyes. “What do you like?”
Turning her around, I worked on the other armlet. “In what context are you asking?”
My gaze fell briefly on her chest, heaving as she breathed unevenly.
“Colour?” she asked in a low tone.
“Whatever you wear,”
“Food?”
“Whatever you cook,” I answered, picking the necklace. As I adjusted it around her neck, she shivered slightly at the touch, her mouth parting as she breathed in.
“Book?”
“Whatever you would want me to read,” I said, pressing my lips to the side of her neck, noticing her fist clench in the fabric of her skirt in the mirror.
My eyes drifted to the back of her blouse, the six strings tied perfectly. I gulped, closed my eyes for a moment, and inhaled sharply near her neck.
I wanted to devour her. Her timid reactions were my biggest turn-on. But I sensed her discomfort and knew where this conversation was heading.
“Can I ask you something serious, Kunwar-sa?” she asked softly.
I stepped back just enough to turn her and picked up the waist chain.
“Yes,” I muttered, winding the gold around her waist as she adjusted it over her belly.
“I want to know…” she began languidly. I bit my lip to hide my smile. “… what you exactly like in bed.” Her voice dropped, shaky by the end.
I lifted my gaze to hers in the mirror.
“Um… a clean bedsheet, a pile of pillows, no light around, and yes, breathable air,” I said, pursing my lips.
She glared at me in haunting silence.
Her eyes closed, and her nose flared. “Alright,” she gritted, picking up a hair accessory, and adjusted it over her head.
I smiled and kissed her slender nape.
“I just want you, Suman,” I whispered. “Nothing else. Don’t be afraid of anything, love.”
She blinked quietly for a few moments, then there was a soft knock on the door.
I inhaled in frustration.
“Haan, haan, aa jao. Baat karne ke liye do kshan bhi nahi milte.” “Yes, yes, come in. We don’t even get a moment to talk.” I snapped, looking toward the door. But as soon as Rudra Bhai-sa appeared, my eyes widened.
“Bhai-sa,” I muttered, then turned to her. She stood with her back to me, her veil draped over her head.
“What the hell are you doing here? Pandit ji is waiting for you,” he hissed lowly, and I clicked my tongue in frustration.
“Oh, all these rituals are necessary for my wedding now, but were nothing for yours,” I grumbled irritably. “Bhai-sa, please let me talk to her at least. Please be a little patient; I’m coming in a few moments.”
“Quick,” he gritted angrily.
“Okay,” I replied, and he left, closing the door.
I turned to her, and she smiled at me.
I cupped her cheek to lift her face and leaned closer to kiss her nose.
“You are looking beautiful,” I said, cupping her cheeks, and kissed her nose. “I’m waiting for you in the prayer hall; come soon. I cannot wait to introduce you as my wife to our ancestors and the deities.”
She smiled and hugged me tightly.
“No one is waiting more than I am to be yours, Kunwar-sa,” she murmured.
“Alright,” I whispered, stroking her head. “Bhai-sa has to leave for him to be back on time. So, I’ll see you there.”
She nodded. I stepped out of her chamber and looked at Bhabhi-sa, Daadi-sa, Queen Trisha, and Rani-maa, waiting outside.
“Are you done?” Nandani Bhabhi-sa asked, and I shook my head.
“Not yet,” I said. “I know you sent him inside.”
She rolled her eyes and sauntered into the chamber.
“Rani-maa, sometimes…” I said, clenching my fists. “I hate your daughter.”
She chuckled at my words and placed her hand on my head fondly.
“I know she’s impossible sometimes,” she responded. “But now, you are our son-in-law. No need to be formal.”
I smiled and made her sit on the couch.
“Can I call you Maa-sa, then?” I asked hopefully. “I’ve never seen my mother, and Bhabhi-sa does not always behave like a mother. Will you be my mother?”
She stared at me momentarily, then nodded, placing her hand on my cheek.
“You don’t have to ask. You can call me Maa-sa,” she said, and I hugged her tightly.
“Thank you, Maa-sa,” I murmured. “Does this mean I can complain about your daughters to you? I mean, yes, Suman is wonderful, but sometimes she forgets I’m her husband and gets so busy with her work. Could you scold her for that?”
She laughed, really laughed, her head tipping back as a tear slipped down her cheek.
I found myself staring at her. After the king’s death, I hadn’t seen her laugh so freely. It made me feel good, and without realising it, I smiled too.
“I will,” she said, mid-laugh. “I will scold her hard. Don’t worry. For now, go to the prayer hall.”
I nodded, stood up, and touched her feet.
I made my way to the prayer hall when something in the far corner of the garden caught my eye.
There, behind a tree, stood Eklavya—more like hiding—watching something… or someone.
I followed his line of vision and noticed a group of women. My brows creased, but the thought of catching him red-handed made my lips curve into a smile.
I walked toward him quietly and stood behind him. Inching forward, I saw a princess walking with her girl group, laughing.
“What happened?” I asked near his ear.
He jerked upright, startled, and placed a hand on his chest.
“Agastya!” he exclaimed, panting from the shock.
I smiled and rested my hand on his shoulder. “What happened? Who’s she?”
He laughed through nervousness.
“Who?” he asked innocently. “No one, no one.”
I narrowed my eyes, unconvinced, then glanced at the princess as she passed by.
“Are you sure?” I asked, looking back at him.
He nodded.
“By the way, where were you for the last few months?” I asked, my tone turning serious. “How did your tour go?”
He smiled and pulled me into a tight hug.
“I’m good,” he said, patting my back. “Um… I was in a kingdom. It went well,”
I pulled away. “Which kingdom?”
“I travelled south,” he said, smiling. “The mountain ranges are insane there. Vast rivers—I’ve never seen such wide ones in my life.
The temperature is relatively higher than ours.
Two major seas and an ocean border it. And the most mind-blowing thing?
The kingdom is built on the water. It’s amazing, really. ”
I frowned. “Really?”
He nodded.
“And how do you know that, princess?” I asked.
His throat bobbed as he stared at me for a moment.
“She’s after me,” he said, glancing toward the group. “Wants to marry me forcibly. Actually, she’s from Sindh, but came here with her friend, under the alias of her appearance. Dressing like her and searching for me as if I wouldn’t know.” He snorted.
“Who’s her friend?” I asked.
He gulped. “One of Princess Aishwarya’s sisters.”
My eyebrows rose in shock.
“The guests are already arriving,” I said, and he nodded. “And why is she after you?” I asked, but before he could answer, my gaze fell on Ranvijay Bhai-sa, signalling to me from across the garden.
I smiled at him as Eklavya said, “This is your day, Agastya. Spend it with your love.”
I nodded, and together we made our way to the prayer hall.
There, I watched Suman arrive with a group of ladies, right after me.
I stood before the temple, waiting until she came beside me.
She glanced at me once and smiled timidly.
“Come in,” the head priest instructed, and we bowed to the stairs of the temple.
Everyone stood outside the garbagruha53 while we stepped in after ringing the bell.
“You may do the offerings,” the priest said.
The attendants helped us pass the huge plates of offerings to the priest, and he placed all of them before the deity’s feet.
We both joined hands, bowing before the god, seeking blessings.
With my eyes closed, I prayed to Shree Ganesh and Mahadev.
Prabhu! Suman still isn’t over her past, and I don’t think she ever will be.
So, if you are to bless me with anything—happiness, prosperity—give it to her first. And if fate has anything bad in store, let it befall me instead.
She has been through enough. Please be with her always, and never let her lose faith in you again.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Suman staring at me.
I smiled and asked, “Why aren’t you praying?”
Her eyes softened. “You were busy.”
My brows knit together.
Suddenly, she knelt before me and touched my feet. My eyes widened in shock. I immediately held her hands to stop her.
“Hey, don’t… no,” I murmured.
She looked at me, then turned toward the idol.
“Kshama kijiye prabhu, maine jeevan mein aapka naam to sadeiv suna hai, kintu aapke astitva ka aabhaas mujhe kabhi hua hi nahi. Mere rakhshak to ye hain, ya kadachit inke roop mein aap hi ab tak meri raksha karte rahe hain. Yadi inki pooja karke, inke charnoan mein padkar, hum aapko tthes pahuncha rahe ho, Prabhu, to apni is putri ko kshama kar dijiye. Par ab maine inme hi apne Prabhu ke darshan kar liye hain.”
“I apologise, my Lord, for I have always heard your name in my life, yet I never felt your presence in it. He is the one who saved me, or perhaps it was you, in his form. Forgive this daughter of yours if, in bowing to him and praying to him, I have offended you in any way. But today, I have found my God in him.”
She prayed with such soft grace my throat tightened.
I shook my head, looking at Shree Ganesh.
She shouldn’t have said it.
I quickly joined my palms.
“Don’t listen to her, Ganesh ji,” I muttered. “She’s just being emotional, but she loves you and will always pray to you.”
Even the priest smiled at our little exchange.
“Putri,” he said, looking at her. “Bad things happen in life to teach us the value of good. If there were no bad, how would we know what’s good and what’s not?
Humans are a mixture of both good and bad.
Our prince here has both good and bad within him as well.
But certain circumstances in your life led you to see only the good in him and overlook his flaws,” he paused for a moment.
“The same applies to life,” he continued calmly.
“We often believe that life is already everything God has planned, yet we forget to thank Him in our prosperous days and blame Him for every hardship we face. Do not make that mistake. Give God credit for blessing you with this man. And never lose hope, because it is the one thing that keeps us alive.”
She nodded. “Ji, Pandit ji,”
Joining her palms, she closed her eyes and turned to the idol, praying with a smile.
After a few moments, she opened her eyes and touched Pandit ji’s feet.
“You shall give birth to the mightiest king that history will ever witness,” he blessed, and the moment those words spilt from his mouth so smoothly, I shook my head in incredulity.
“Pandit ji, please take your words back. We are the youngest in the family. My eldest brother, Rana Rudra Dev Singh, is the King. He will be the one to produce the heir to the throne, not us,” I corrected him, keeping my tone low.
Suman nodded in agreement.
“Ji, Pandit ji, please take back your blessing. The next king will be born from Ranaji and Queen Nandani,” she added.
He shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips.
“Blessings are not something that comes from one’s mouth consciously. They are a message from Him. I cannot take them back, my child,”
Hearing his words, my heart sank deeper.
Suman looked at me, and I turned back to see Rudra Bhai-sa and Nandani Bhabhi-sa smiling at us.
I gulped. My heart ached at just the thought of it.
“Don’t worry,” she said, holding my hand. “No matter what, their son will be the one to rule.”
I nodded before we walked out and received our elders’ blessings.
I didn’t tell anyone about it. But it created a void in my heart. I couldn’t take the rights of my Bhai-sa’s child.
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