Chapter 37 - Suman #4
She immediately crawled toward me. I pulled her into my arms, and she stared at me with wide, curious eyes. Her tiny hands reached up and touched my cheeks.
“Taattaaaaa?” she asked.
I nodded gently. “Yes… taattaaaa.”
She nodded and then looked away.
“Agaaattthhhhaaaa,” she cried, pointing toward Nandani.
I turned her face back toward me. “Not Agaattha, Agastya.”
She frowned. “Agaaattthhhhaaaa.”
“Kako-sa,” I corrected playfully.
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Taaa,” she said stubbornly.
“Kaako-sa,” I repeated.
She shook her head again. “Agaaattthhhhaaaa.”
I chuckled, and suddenly she looked straight at me. “Kaaakkkaa.”
My eyes widened in delight, and I nodded quickly. “Yes.”
As she smiled brightly, I kissed her cheek, and she squealed in protest, making everyone laugh. I lifted her gently into my arms.
After some time, Nandani and Princess Aishwarya left to apply haldi to Kunwar-sa in another hall. Once my ritual was complete, they returned and asked me to prepare for my bath.
As we walked through the corridor, Nandani and Princess Aishwarya were talking with Queen Trisha. Daadi-sa and Rani-maa had gone ahead.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me aside.
A gasp escaped my lips, but before anyone noticed, a hand covered my mouth and pressed me gently against the wall behind the curtains.
My eyes widened when his green eyes met mine.
He slowly removed his hand.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I whispered.
He frowned, and before I could say more, he leaned in and kissed me.
My fingers tightened on his chest, and my head tipped back slightly as his hand slipped into my hair, cupping the nape of my neck. His other hand encircled my waist, holding me close, and the moment he began sucking my lips, my eyes fluttered closed.
I gave in to the kiss, winding my arms around his shoulders, pulling him nearer.
“I love you,” he murmured.
I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze. “I know.”
He kissed me once more and pulled back just slightly.
“No,” he said quietly. “I truly love you.”
I touched his cheek. “What’s wrong?”
He closed his eyes briefly. “I don’t know. I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“Of hurting you.”
I rose on my toes and kissed him gently.
“If you ever do, though I know you won’t, I’ll punish you for it,” I said lightly.
He smiled. “Thank you.” And pressed his lips against mine shortly, then rested his forehead against mine.
“This is our wedding,” he breathed. “Enjoy every moment to the fullest. I know it’s your second marriage, but I want everything to be special for you. I want you to feel like this is the only wedding destiny has ever written for you. I just want you to be the happiest woman on your wedding day.”
I smiled and kissed his cheek.
“I am happy. Happier than I’ve ever been,” I said, overwhelmed by the feelings. “I love you so much.”
He kissed my forehead and stepped back.
“Alright, they’ll be looking for you.”
He disappeared down the corridor, leaving me flushed and flustered. I didn’t know why, the way he had drawn me away, I expected a heated, sensual exchange. I exhaled; my mind was far dirtier than his.
I quickly rejoined before the others noticed I was gone.
They bathed me first in oil, then milk, and finally water. Everything felt surreal, sacred, and unlike anything I had ever experienced.
In the evening after dinner, as I lay resting on my bed, Reva rushed in and sat beside me.
“Suman…” she huffed.
“What happened?” I asked.
She held my hands, calming herself before speaking.
“I’m not sure if I should tell you, but I saw Kunwar Agastya talking to a princess—a really beautiful princess,” she spoke carefully, hesitantly. “I mean, she was walking right by his side. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but she was too close to him.”
A sharp pang hit my chest, but I forced myself to breathe.
It must be something else important.
“And… I think they went toward his chamber.”
I stood up immediately, hearing that. “What?”
She nodded.
“Come with me.”
We walked quickly, taking heavy, long steps. Once reached, I told the guards not to announce my arrival.
Stepping inside, I saw him seated with food before him. Opposite him sat a princess on the other couch.
“I’m sorry,” she said, too sweet, almost sensually. “I didn’t realise how much I hurt you.”
As I took steps further inside, I heard him reply, “That’s alright. You made your choice. You shouldn’t be apologetic now.”
I remembered she could be the one who had once hurt him.
“No, Prince Agastya,” came her voice, almost as if she were sobbing. “I was wrong. I mean, now… I want you. After denying you, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
And that was enough.
I smiled calmly, adjusted my dupatta, and stepped forward.
“Agastya.”
He looked up, startled.
Ignoring her completely, I walked to him and sat on his lap. His lips curved into a delightful smile, and his hands instinctively came to rest on my back.
“Ugh… My entire body is aching because of you,” I teased sensually.
His teeth sank into his lower lip, and he glanced between the princess and me.
“You’re so evil. See my neck, back, and knees… everything hurts. Why are you like this, huh?” I added, embracing his neck.
He swallowed. “Princess Kshitija,” he said evenly, “this is my wife, Sumanika.”
I turned to her politely.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise someone else was here.”
She froze, then stood up quickly.
“Um… It’s okay, I… I’ll leave.”
She exited without another word.
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