Chapter 38 - Agastya
Once Kshitija stood up to leave, Suman shifted off my lap and sat beside me, and my eyes never left her face as she smiled politely at Kshitija.
“Princess Kshitija, please stay,” Suman said warmly. “Are you friends with Agastya?”
I lifted my brows slightly in both pride and surprise that she addressed her so calmly and called me by my name.
“Um… yes,” Kshitija replied hesitantly, sitting back. “We’re… kind of friends.”
“Oh, that’s nice,” Suman said. “I always wanted to meet his friends.”
She placed her hand lightly on my thigh and turned toward me. “Did you have dinner?” she asked softly.
I shook my head.
“Why not?” she asked, already leaning forward to arrange a plate for me.
“How did you two meet?” Kshitija asked.
Suman smiled. “We?” she echoed playfully, taking a bite of food and holding it out toward me.
“We met through an incident,” she continued lightly, “and since then, I lost my heart to him. I tried very hard to win his in return, but he’s quite difficult to pursue.” She chuckled at the end.
I took the bite slowly, chewing as I watched her. She looked breathtaking. Her long curls cascaded down her back, with a few loose strands resting against her chest and face. The faint glow of haldi and milk still lingered on her skin. My fingers ached to tuck that stray curl behind her ear.
She suddenly turned toward me, laughing at something.
I snapped out of my thoughts, realising I hadn’t heard a word they were talking about.
“Alright,” Kshitija said, standing. “You two should talk. I’ll go to bed.”
Suman stood immediately. “Let me walk you to the door.”
I watched them go and inhaled deeply. Absentmindedly, I picked up a fritter and ate slowly until Suman returned.
I didn’t know what to expect. A fight, silence, or laughter.
Coming back, she sat beside me, picked up a grape, and chewed quietly.
I swallowed nervously when she inhaled deeply and rested her head on my shoulder.
“You don’t have to be scared,” she murmured. “I trust you.”
A weak smile curved my lips, and I rested my head gently against hers.
“Are you okay, love?” I asked.
She shook her head slightly. “I feel impatient.”
“Why?”
“I want to marry you as soon as possible.”
I chuckled softly and kissed her forehead. “Looks like we’re finally on the same page.”
She giggled.
“Well… that was childish,” I said teasingly.
“I know,” she admitted. “I felt something… maybe jealousy, maybe possessiveness. I don’t know what to call it.”
I laughed and then suggested, “Stay with me for dinner.”
She looked at me for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”
I pulled the plate closer and made a bite for her. We fed each other, laughing quietly, and teasing Kshitija a little once she was gone.
“Still, thank you for saving me from her,” I said.
She nodded and kissed my cheek.
“You’re my baby. I love you so much.”
I bit the inside of my lip. “Call me baby one more time, and I’ll teach you a lesson,” I warned playfully. “I’m older, bigger, stronger than you, and I look nothing like a baby.”
She chuckled, leaning closer, locking her gaze with mine.
Her lips pressed together thoughtfully before she whispered in a slow, sensual voice, “My nipples are aching. You want to suck?”
A shiver ran through me, and heat warmed my face. I clenched my fist, feeling aroused, and looked away.
I shook my head. No! She can’t arouse and control me like this.
“See, you’re a baby,” she murmured, tilting her head with mischief.
“Keep teasing me,” I muttered, “and we’ll see who’s a baby.”
She laughed and stood. “Good night, Kunwar-sa. I should leave before anyone notices.”
I held her hand and kissed her palm. Every time she walked away, it felt like my heart ached a little too much.
But this distance was necessary, just for now.
“Okay.” I nodded before she left.
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The next day, the celebrations continued as before. But it was way louder and livelier with Rudra and Ranvijay Bhai-sa present.
I sat waiting as Ranvijay Bhai-sa stepped forward for the haldi ritual after all the ladies.
He smeared the paste all over my face and teased, “Hm, finally getting married.”
I smirked while he took more paste in his palms.
“Hm, baby finally,” I shot back.
He rolled his eyes, and before I could react, he pushed my head forward and dunked my face straight into the huge bowl of haldi.
Laughter exploded around us, especially from Ranvijay and Rudra Bhai-sa.
“Now try staying quiet,” Ranvijay laughed.
I spat haldi from my mouth, grateful I’d shut my eyes in time.
“I hate you both,” I muttered. But they laughed harder.
“Come,” Rudra Bhaisa said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll help you clean up.”
I couldn’t see anything, but trusting them, I followed, though suspicion breathed in me with each step.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked.
I heard a wave of giggles erupt around us.
“To the bathing area,” Rudra Bhai-sa replied.
Suddenly, Nandani Bhabhi-sa’s voice rang out.
“What are you two doing here?” she asked, and I didn’t miss the astonishment in her tone.
“What’s happening?” I demanded again, suddenly nervous. I had barely any clothes on, just a long cloth wrapped around my waist, and a cold breeze brushed my skin, causing me to shiver.
“We’re definitely not going to the bathing area,” I exclaimed.
I suddenly felt an urge to run away, but with my eyes closed and face completely coated with haldi, I couldn’t help but follow their lead.
“We’re almost there,” Ranvijay Bhai-sa said.
“What are you doing?” I repeated before a familiar voice reached me.
“What’s happening, Nandani?”
I heard Suman’s voice.
Though her voice sounded faint, I still tried to call out, “Suman?”
“What the hell are you doing, Bhai-sa?” I shouted. “And why is this bathing area so publicly accessible?”
Before I could react, someone suddenly grabbed my legs and lifted me off the ground.
I screamed, and in the very next second, two firm hands caught my shoulders. I struggled, shaking wildly.
“No! What are you doing?” I yelled.
Suddenly, they swung me left and right a few times. My body was moving helplessly through the air, and without warning, they tossed me straight into the water.
I sank deeper and deeper.
The laughter above muted instantly as the water closed around me. I instinctively wiped my face and kicked upward, swimming back toward the surface. The water was cold; I saw the sunlight filtering through it in waves.
I broke through the surface, pushing my hair back and blinking rapidly.
The sight awaiting me made my teeth grind.
My entire family was laughing.
I slapped the water angrily, glaring at both my Bhai-sas, who were bent over, clutching their stomachs in laughter.
This is not done.
I swam toward the edge of the pond just in time to see Rudra and Ranvijay Bhai-sa walking away smugly when my eyes landed on King Abhinandan.
He smiled knowingly. I raised my brows, signalling him to push them both.
Moving slowly toward them, before either of them could decipher, he shoved both straight into the pond.
“Abhi!” Rudra Bhai-sa shouted as he fell in.
I burst out laughing. Ranvijay Bhai-sa tried to steady himself but slipped and splashed in as well.
The laughter around doubled.
I glanced at Suman, who stood watching quietly while the Bhabhi-sas laughed along.
“Nandani, come in,” Rudra Bhai-sa called out. “The water’s nice.”
She shook her head, glancing around at the crowd. “This is a wedding, not a picnic.”
“Privacy,” King Abhinandan ordered casually, and before anyone could stop him, he scooped Nandani Bhabhi-sa up and tossed her into the pond too.
“Nandan!” she yelled furiously.
I laughed harder. “Yes, now this feels balanced.”
She splashed water straight at my face.
“I have so much work to do,” she snapped, glaring at Rudra Bhai-sa.
His grin vanished instantly. “Alright, alright, sorry. Let me help you out.” Holding her shoulders, he guided her to the edge.
Aishwarya Bhabhi-sa helped Ranvijay Bhai-sa out as well, smiling softly at him.
I looked around for Suman and stretched my hand toward her for help, but she rolled her eyes at me and walked away.
“What?” I called out, offended, and Abhinandan just laughed at me.
“You are a complete lost cause.” He said and helped me out of the pond.
The rest of the day passed in a joyful blur. Wedding preparations were in full swing, with decorations, food, and laughter everywhere. Both my Bhai-sas were clearly enjoying themselves, and it made me happy to see everyone so carefree.
The next two days followed with similar rituals. Guests arrived, and the celebrations grew louder. Every night, the women gathered to sing wedding songs with musical instruments. We men weren’t allowed, but I heard that after the mehendi ceremony, the bride would dance during the Sangeet.
For reasons I couldn’t quite explain, I desperately wanted to see Suman dance.
I had never seen her dance or lose herself to music, but I knew she’d look mesmerising.
Sadly, I wasn’t allowed anywhere near the ceremony.
So, that night, after my mehendi was done with simple patterns and her name etched into my palm, I was utterly annoyed. The smell was unbearable. I had never encountered henna before, and I decided right then that I never wanted to smell it again.
Later, unable to sleep, I went looking for my partner in crime, Eklavya.
I walked straight into his chamber, not bothering to announce myself, but the moment I entered his guest chamber, I regretted that decision.
The room was dark, and I froze mid-step at the sound of a woman’s moans mixed with a man’s groans.
“Huh… harder…”
The moment I heard it, my stomach twisted.
What the hell!
My heart screamed at me to turn away, but curiosity betrayed me.
I leaned slightly toward the curtain and immediately looked away.
They were close, pressed against the wall. I couldn’t see their faces, just silhouettes.
I exhaled sharply and walked out silently, not wanting to embarrass anyone.
I didn’t know who the woman was.
But walking away, one thought echoed in my mind: Everyone seemed to live my fantasies… except me.
And suddenly, after witnessing them, all I wanted was to find my love.
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