Chapter 41
My heart felt heavy, swollen with a rush of conflicting emotions. Princess Rudraja smiled in my arms, showing her tiny teeth, and I smiled back at her.
“Suman,” a familiar voice suddenly called out.
I turned, my heartbeat quickening as a few known faces came into view. They approached with hesitant smiles.
“How are you, my child?” they asked, and my jaw clenched tighter.
Before I could respond, Kunwar Agastya stepped forward.
“She didn’t wish to meet you. I had already told you,” he said firmly.
I looked up at him as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I smiled faintly.
This… this was all I had ever wanted. Someone standing beside me, his presence enough to make me feel complete. I needed nothing else.
Surprisingly, I felt nothing while looking at them. My heart felt full, yet empty, so full that there was no space left for old pain or suffering. I joined my hands calmly.
“I’m well. How are you?” I asked.
I didn’t resent them. I knew they had always done great without me. These were not complaints; they were only truths I had accepted.
“We’re fine as well. We came to bless you for your new life,” they said.
I lowered my gaze slightly and nodded. “Thank you. I have received your blessings with their mere mention.”
I noticed Kunwar Agastya watching me closely.
“By the way,” I said, smiling as I turned slightly, “meet my family.”
I stepped toward Ranaji. “He is my elder brother-in-law.”
Then, I introduced Nandani. “She is my sister-in-law, and my sister too.”
In the same way, I introduced Prince Ranvijay and Princess Aishwarya. They greeted everyone courteously. Rani-maa and King Abhinandan were already known to them.
“You look happy with them,” my mother said.
I chuckled softly.
“Yes, I am.”
My father nodded.
“God bless you, Suman,” he said. “I know, we failed you as parents, and please don’t worry, we didn’t come to make things awkward; we only wished to witness your wedding.”
I joined my hands. “Thank you for being present on such an important day of my life. Please, stay for the feast.”
I could sense their discomfort, and maybe… maybe my behaviour was wrong, but I couldn’t force emotions I did not feel. Since I was sixteen, they had made me feel like an orphan. They refused to take me back and blamed me for my husband’s dissatisfaction.
“We love Suman deeply,” Ranaji said warmly. “She has brought even more light into our lives. Our brother is truly blessed to have her.”
My mother nodded awkwardly. “Ji, ji,”
Ranaji placed his hand gently on my head. “She is our child now. You need not worry about her. If you ever need anything, you may write to the welfare minister.”
They bowed and took their leave.
As they turned away, a slight ache stirred in my chest. A tear slipped down my cheek. Kunwar-sa immediately pulled me into his arms.
“Do you want me to stop them?” he whispered.
I shook my head. “I wish only for their safety as human beings.”
He kissed my forehead. “Then smile.”
I looked into his kohl-lined green eyes, and all my worries melted away.
“Aap bhi bahut acche lag rahe hain,”
“You look very handsome.”
I said softly.
Ranaji cleared his throat, and I stepped back, embarrassed.
“Everyone is waiting in the dining hall,” he said.
“Yes, Bhai-sa,” Kunwar-sa replied.
Just then, an elderly man approached.
“Guruji,” Kunwar-sa exclaimed, bending to touch his feet. I followed suit.
“May God bless you with a child soon,” Guruji said.
I smiled, but noticed confusion flickering across Kunwar-sa’s face.
“Are you certain, Guruji?” he asked.
Guruji laughed and embraced him.
“Why wouldn’t I be? Every married couple deserves that blessing.”
Ranaji, Prince Ranvijay, Nandani, and Princess Aishwarya also touched his feet.
But when King Abhinandan and Queen Trisha approached, Guruji’s expression stiffened briefly.
“God bless you,” he muttered.
Queen Trisha stepped forward.
“Aap humse bhale hi rusht rahein, Pitaji, hum sadeiv aapke sneh ke abhilashi rahenge.” “You may remain upset with me for as long as you wish, but I will always seek your love.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she spoke.
He gently patted her head. “God bless you, my child.”
Suddenly, their twins ran toward him.
“Naanaji65!” one of them squealed.
His face lit up instantly.
Princess Rudraja leaned forward eagerly, squealing. He lifted her, too, but she grabbed his long white beard and tugged hard.
“Ow!” A brief wince crossed his face, quickly softened by a fond smile.
“Rudraja!” Ranaji scolded, freeing the beard. “You’re so spoiled.”
She dramatically lowered her gaze and muttered, “taaaattaaa,” resting her head on Guruji’s shoulder.
Ranaji tried taking her back, but she resisted.
“She’s angry with you now,” Guruji chuckled.
Eventually, Nandani took her from his arms.
“Let us all go for dinner,” King Abhinandan said.
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In the dining hall, baajots66 were arranged, with a curtain dividing the women’s space.
“I’ll eat with my wife,” Kunwar Agastya announced, moving toward me.
“There is no extra table for you, Agastya,” Nandani teased.
“That’s fine,” he said casually. “I’ll eat from Suman’s plate.”
“And don’t worry,” he added with a grin, “I won’t look at any of you beautiful ladies, so you all may have a peaceful dinner.”
Everyone laughed at that.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
I nodded softly. “Yes. More than okay.”
Dinner passed with laughter and conversation. I stayed mostly silent while Kunwar-sa fed me from his plate.
“You must try this too,” he insisted.
“I’m full,” I protested, clutching my stomach. “I can’t eat anymore.”
“No excuses.”
Annoyed, I heaved out and obeyed, making everyone laugh.
The sweet melted in my mouth, and I couldn’t understand why I felt as though I had gained a ton of weight in just a few days.
“I’m done,” said Ranaji. “I should go see the departure preparations,”
Kunwar-sa smiled as he looked at me.
“Finally, I will take my bride home,” he said softly, and I knitted my brows.
“Your bride used to live in that home,” I said. He clicked his tongue.
“You don’t want me to feel special, do you?” he said, and I chuckled.
“I’m just giving you a reality check,” I shrugged, and he nodded, savouring the jaggery.
“Alright, alright,” he replied, and I didn’t know why his ‘alright’ felt slightly like a challenge. I could sense it.
“Suman, are you done?” Rani-maa asked. I looked at her immediately and nodded.
She smiled. “Come with us,” she said. I noticed Nandani and Princess Aishwarya stepping forward as well. Kunwar-sa helped me stand, and I followed them.
They led me to a place where all the ladies were seated together. Nandani stepped forward with a small, decorated case, and I was asked to sit on the couch.
The women began singing traditional songs, teasingly alluding to the wedding night of the newlyweds. Their words made me blush, and I glanced at the older women dancing along in good humour.
“Put your feet forward,” Nandani said, and I did. Princess Aishwarya knelt beside her, and I watched as they slid the toe rings onto my toes.
“Welcome to the family, Suman,” Princess Aishwarya said. I smiled and thanked her.
After the ritual was complete, I was asked to rest. The palanquin was to be lifted early the next morning, but sleep refused to come. I spoke with Daadi-sa, thanking her sincerely for all the effort she had put into my wedding. I gave her an outfit she liked.
I greeted Rani-maa as well. She hugged me and kissed my forehead.
“God bless you, Suman. Never doubt yourself. You deserve even more,” she said, and I smiled.
King Abhinandan and Queen Trisha also offered me their blessings and gifts.
As a brother, King Abhinandan promised to protect me.
The night passed quickly, and as the gentle light of dawn appeared, my emotions stirred. Never had I imagined I would be blessed with so much love. It was the magic of Kunwar-sa.
He was my fortune.
I greeted everyone at the doorway. Even Nandani grew emotional; she cried as she hugged Rani-maa and Daadi-sa. She deserved a better wedding.
The women settled into the palanquins, and the men mounted their horses. After taking everyone’s blessings and offering my thanks, our convoy began its journey back home.
Kunwar-sa did not meet me then. The last time I saw him, he was speaking with Guruji.
I didn’t need to worry anymore. I knew we were one now. At the end of the day, he would come only to me, his wife, his Suman… and yes, dinner too.
I chuckled, and somewhere along the way, I fell asleep in the palanquin. An attendant woke me when we were close. It was early evening when we reached Suryagarh.
As I stepped out of the palanquin, I saw Badi-maa, Nandani, and Princess Aishwarya standing at the doorstep, holding a plate of kumkum67 and a kalash68 filled with rice. Kunwar-sa stepped forward to stand beside me, and I knitted my brows.
“Where were you?” I asked. He shook his head.
“Nowhere, just talking to Ranvijay Bhai-sa,” he said, and I couldn’t understand why everyone laughed.
I instantly lowered my gaze shyly.
After performing our aarti69, Badi-maa spoke, “You have to push the kalash with your right foot gently.” I nodded.
Lifting my skirt slightly, I nudged the kalash forward, and they let us enter.
Then, I placed my feet into the plate of kumkum, and Nandani said, “Grace this kingdom with your luck and love, Suman.”
I smiled and stepped ahead.
The floor felt cold beneath my feet, and just as the crimson imprints faded, Kunwar-sa lifted me into his arms.
My eyes widened in shock, along with everyone else’s.
“What’re you doing?” I asked.
“You look tired. I don’t think you can walk to the chamber carrying all this weight,” he replied. I glanced around to see people laughing and whispering about us.
“Hmm, Agastya,” Prince Ranvijay said, turning toward him.
“What? She looks exhausted. I’m just helping her,” Kunwar-sa said, and Ranaji laughed.
“Alright, take her to the chamber. Both of you should freshen up for the meal and the remaining rituals,” Ranaji instructed.