Chapter 37 - Suman #3
A smile spread across my lips, and I laughed softly as he went on. I just watched his chest rise and fall, and the blouse barely holding on, stretching tight against his skin.
“Enough,” I whispered.
Instead, he leaned down again and kissed my cheek more deeply, making me giggle.
“You’ll break the bed too, Kunwar-sa,” I murmured, holding his arm. “Slow down.”
“Three hundred seventy-two,” he replied calmly, locking his eyes with mine.
I smiled and placed my hand on his chest, tracing lines on his torso as his muscles stood out even more.
“You’re beautiful,” I whispered.
He leaned down and kissed my jaw, and I laughed softly.
I tried again to disrupt his balance, shaking his forearm, pushing at his chest, even looping my arms around his neck. But he didn’t budge.
“Four hundred and ninety-eight,” he murmured, kissing my nose.
“Four hundred ninety-nine,” he said, brushing his lips over my cheek.
And I… I could just laugh quietly.
“Five hundred.”
He finally lowered himself onto me and gently pinned my hands above my head. I felt the rough warmth of his palms around my wrists, and his chest pressed against mine. He groaned softly against my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
He felt heavier, too heavy.
I gulped and closed my eyes in silence.
“For you, I did push-ups wearing this ghaghra and this suffocating blouse,” he whispered. “Now you know I’m not a baby.”
His warm breath brushed against my ear.
I pressed my lips together, teasing him just a little longer.
“In my opinion, kids can do as many push-ups,” I said lightly. “It’s all about strength, and with the right diet and effort, anyone can build that. But you’re still a baby.”
He lifted his face, frowning.
“My little baby,” I added mischievously. “You irritate me sometimes, just like Princess Rudraja irritates Nandani.”
He shook his head with a faint chuckle and finally moved off me.
“Vivaah ho jaane do, phir bataate hain baccha kaun hai aur bheegi billi kaun,” “Let the marriage happen, then we’ll see who’s the baby and who’s a scared kitten.” he said in a challenging tone.
I inhaled deeply, resting my cheek against his chest.
“Ab aisa karenge aap? Apni ke saath—apni Suman ke saath?!” “You’re really going to be like this? With your wife—with your Suman?!” I murmured dramatically.
He looked down at me and laughed.
“Oh my God, you’re such an actor,” he said mid-laugh. “I thought you were simple and innocent, turns out you’re playing my game,”
I lifted my face proudly. “Hm. It was my plan all along to bring you under my control.”
He widened his eyes childishly. “I’m scared.”
I laughed, and suddenly he kissed my forehead.
“You look the most beautiful when you laugh,” he whispered.
I hid my face in his chest, feeling his fingers trace gentle patterns along my bare back.
“Good night, Kunwar-sa,” I whispered.
“Agastya,” he corrected, taking a deep breath.
“How will you moan my name?” he asked, wiggling his brows mischievously. “Kunwar-sa, ah, um, ugh… that’s ugly,” he paused, looking at me, then added, “Agastya, oh yes, yes, right there, yes…”
I lifted my head, giving him a suspicious look.
“That’s what you think about all the time?” I asked.
He laughed heartily.
“Yes. Every time I see you, that’s the first thing that crosses my mind,” he teased with a wide grin. “Because you’re so beautiful, and when you cry, your cheeks go all red; I find that so cute and attractive at the same time.”
I huffed, slapping his chest lightly, and pinched his nipple.
“I hate you.”
“Ouch!” he groaned dramatically, clutching his chest. “You’re making me hate you, too.”
I laughed and rested my head against him again.
Soon enough, we both drifted to sleep.
?????
Soft giggles and laughter pulled me out of my slumber.
At first, my lashes fluttered faintly, but upon the realisation that someone was in the chamber, my eyes flew open, and I sat upright.
I noticed Nandani, Princess Aishwarya, Daadi-sa, Queen Trisha, Rani-maa, and even the attendants laughing.
My heart dropped as panic surged through me. For a split second, I wondered if Ranaji or Prince Ranvijay were there too.
I blinked momentarily, wondering what was funny, until realisation struck.
The reason for their laughter was lying right beside me.
Slowly, I turned and saw him still asleep, like floating in a dreamland. The blanket slipped away, his clothes were dishevelled, one side of the blouse’s sleeve slid low, revealing his nipple, and kohl smudged beneath his eyes, ruining his appearance completely.
The laughter only grew louder.
“Oh my God, Suman!” Nandani collapsed to the floor, clutching her stomach.
Princess Aishwarya wiped tears from her eyes as she laughed.
My face burned with the heat of the situation.
Panicking, I immediately started patting his chest.
Everyone was laughing, and all I could do was keep patting him, trying desperately to wake him up.
“Why are you all laughing like this?” Daadi-sa snapped, clicking her tongue in irritation. Rani-maa shot a sharp glare at Nandani.
“Nandani,” she warned, but that only made my menace of a friend laugh harder.
Suddenly, Kunwar-sa inhaled deeply and blinked his eyes open. His brows furrowed as he stared at me for a few seconds, still half-asleep. My heart pounded. I had no idea how we would explain this.
“What?” he asked in a deep, hoarse voice.
I gulped. Even wrapped in women’s attire, his voice sounded so manly.
“Haha hahaha!” Nandani burst out again.
Following my gaze, he finally noticed everyone standing there. His eyes widened slightly, and he immediately tugged his skirt down and sat up straight.
“What the hell are you all doing in my chamber?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.
“Let’s go, Nandani,” Rani-maa said firmly. “We’ll come back later.”
Kunwar-sa leaned forward and noticed Nandani on the floor, clutching her stomach in laughter.
“What the heck are you doing down there, Bhabhi-sa?” he asked, chuckling.
That only sent her into another fit of laughter.
“Oh my God, Agastya,” she gasped. “What are you wearing?”
He glanced down at himself and smiled faintly.
“Oh, this?” he said casually, pulling his sleeve back up. His voice shifted smoothly into a playful, feminine tone. “Suman was feeling low yesterday, so I thought of cheering her up. I also wanted to understand how heavy all these clothes and ornaments actually are.”
Nandani slowly stopped laughing and stood up.
“And honestly,” he continued calmly, “you all have my deepest respect. People often underestimate what women do, what they endure, and how much discomfort they quietly bear just to keep men happy. You, women, deserve all the appreciation, Bhabhi-sa.”
Her smile faded, replaced with surprise. She wiped the tears from her cheeks, staring at him.
I watched in awe as, in a moment where people could have mocked him endlessly, he turned the entire situation into something meaningful, earning respect instead. Clever. Very much.
“That’s true,” Nandani said softly. “Thank you for saying that. Even Ranaji has never spoken like this. It actually feels nice. And… it’s touching to see that you made the effort to understand what your wife will go through after marriage.”
He smiled in response.
“But you do know,” Princess Aishwarya interrupted, “that you can’t sleep with Suman anymore until the wedding.”
He nodded immediately and stood up.
“Ji, Bhabhi-sa. Until the wedding ceremony, my wife is yours. Please take care of her.”
He bent down respectfully, touching Daadi-sa’s and Rani-maa’s feet, then Nandani’s and Princess Aishwarya’s as well. Leaning closer to Nandani, he whispered,
“Bhabhi-sa, bas Bhai-sa ko iski bhanak bhi na pade.” “Bhabhi-sa, just don’t let Bhai-sa know about this.”
She laughed softly and nodded. “I can keep this a secret.”
“But I can’t promise anything,” Princess Aishwarya added lightly.
He sighed dramatically. “Yes, Bhabhi-sa, I know you can’t keep secrets from him. You can tell him.”
“Thank goodness,” she muttered.
I laughed softly as he left the chamber.
Everyone turned to look at me.
I realised my blouse was in place. He must’ve fixed it before falling asleep.
“What?” I asked innocently, and that was it. We all burst into laughter.
Later that day, they interrogated me about why he had worn the lehenga. I repeated the extended, fancy lie he had prepared.
After bathing, prayers, and breakfast, the first day of the Haldi ceremony began.
Dressed in a simple yellow cloth, I sat in the centre of the hall, surrounded by women. Nandani stepped forward to begin the ritual. She took two leaves, dipped them into turmeric and sandalwood paste, and started with my feet, then my knees, shoulders, and finally my cheeks.
“Welcome to the family, Suman,” she said softly. “You’ve always been my best friend, but now our relationship will change. I promise to care for you as my youngest sister-in-law and keep you happy.”
I smiled and leaned forward to touch her feet.
“And since you’re my elder sister-in-law now,” I said quietly, “I must follow the rules.”
She pulled me into a tight hug.
After her, Princess Aishwarya stepped forward and followed the same ritual. She applied the paste to my feet first, then my knees, shoulders, and finally my cheeks.
“Hm…” she said thoughtfully, smiling. “Now I have a younger sister-in-law too. Perhaps I’ll order you around sometimes.”
I laughed and nodded. “Of course.” Then touched her feet.
She blessed me by touching my head and chuckled softly. “I suddenly feel old.”
After her came Queen Trisha, then Daadi-sa, then Rani-maa, followed by Badi-maa and her daughters-in-law.
My gaze drifted toward Princess Rudraja, who was crying again, looking at a small curly-haired boy. There was something about her even at such a young age. I felt instinctively that she would grow into someone strict, someone who would never forgive easily if crossed.
She noticed me watching her and suddenly chortled.
“Come here,” I said softly.