Chapter 41 #3
“Agastya, she’s far too young to learn marital rituals,” Ranaji interrupted, and everyone laughed again.
“Oh, we have a protective and obsessive father here as well,” Kunwar-sa teased, making everyone laugh.
And just then, the little boy found the ring.
“I found it!” he exclaimed excitedly.
Suddenly, his mother stepped forward, took the ring from his hand, and ushered him away.
“Hridhan! You’re getting naughtier by the day,” she scolded him. He only smiled. Badi-maa placed the ring back into the vessel.
“You two have to begin again,” she said, carefully putting the ring back. This time, Nandani held Princess Rudraja back, and we both dipped our hands into the bowl.
I tried to concentrate, but knowing that everyone was watching made me self-conscious. I struggled not to look around or feel their presence, but I couldn’t help it. Everyone here knew that I had an affair with Kunwar-sa before the wedding.
Oh God, it felt so shameful.
Then, I suddenly felt his fingers brushing mine. I immediately snapped out of my thoughts. My brows knitted as I felt him subtly place the ring into my palm. I looked up at him, questioning.
“Did you find it, Suman?” Nandani asked excitedly. I nodded.
Cheers erupted, and I had no choice but to show everyone the ring. They clapped, and I noticed Kunwar-sa trying hard to mask his frustration.
Badi-maa placed the ring back into the vessel, and for the next two turns, he found the ring again and handed it to me each time.
In those moments, I felt the tree of love blossoming within me for him, for my love.
As the ritual ended, I stared at him. His eyes met mine, and a slight grin curved his lips.
Suddenly, Nandani and Princess Aishwarya leaned toward me and whispered in unison: “Bathe him in the milk, Suman.”
My eyes widened in shock, and I shook my head, whispering slowly, “He’ll kill me.”
Nandani smiled and shook her head. “Only… on the bed. Worry not.”
My cheeks flamed red at her words, and Princess Aishwarya chuckled softly.
“Come on,” she added. “This is the first and last time this ritual will happen. Make it memorable for him. But don’t let him bathe you in return.”
I gulped silently.
Kunwar-sa’s gaze swept over me. He shook his head slowly, his eyes intense and commanding.
I bit my lip. Carefully, without him noticing, I grabbed the bowl of milk and lifted it toward his face.
He reacted instantly, raising a hand to shield himself, closing his eyes, and tilting his face away.
A wave of laughter erupted around us. I noticed rose petals clinging to his hair and clothes, glinting in the light.
“Excellent, Suman,” Ranaji said, laughing.
Kunwar-sa opened his eyes, looked at me silently, and with a slight nod, clicked his tongue before standing.
“Pratishodh, Agastya!” “Revenge, Agastya!” Prince Ranvijay exclaimed. He stood up, flicked the rose petals off his clothes, and shook his head.
“Rehne dijiye na, Bhai-sa, thand lag jaayegi.” “Leave it, Bhaisa. She’ll catch a cold.”
I gulped nervously, immediately regretting my earlier mischief, and glanced at Nandani, who was giving me a long, pointed look.
“What did you feed him?” she asked slowly.
Suddenly, Princess Rudraja squealed and crawled toward me with a wide grin. I scooped her up into my arms.
“You’ll ruin your clothes, Princess,” I said.
I glanced at Nandani, who was walking toward Ranaji and Princess Aishwarya, laughing along with Prince Ranvijay.
Princess Rudraja tried to climb into my lap, pressing against my chest to lift herself. I reached to help her, but she shook her head and attempted to climb on her own.
I laughed, and then noticed Kunwar-sa watching me.
“Ouch!” A sharp, sudden pain shot through me as Princess Rudraja had bitten me hard.
She giggled, showing her teeth. The bite was so brutal that tears welled in my eyes, yet in front of everyone, I couldn’t even cover myself with my hands.
“Rudraja!” Nandani, upon noticing my quiet scream, lifted the little girl into her arms.
“Kahaan kaata isne, Suman?” “Where did she bite you, Suman?”Nandani asked, narrowing her eyes in a mixture of anger and scolding.
“Kahin nahin,” “Nowhere.” I muttered, shaking my head, trying to regain my composure.
Kunwar-sa winked, giving me a triumphant smirk. I swallowed hard and walked toward the inner chamber to escape the chaos.
Stepping inside, I let the tears fall freely and cupped my chest, sinking onto the couch.
I hate her teeth.
I lowered my head to my knees.
Suddenly, he called softly “What happened?”
His voice carried a hint of amusement. I didn’t lift my face. He wouldn’t like seeing me cry over a baby bite.
“Nothing,” I managed, hearing his footsteps drawing closer.
“Hey, love, are you okay?” He knelt before me, and I finally lifted my gaze to meet his.
“I hate you,” I muttered.
He smiled, biting his lip, and murmured, “I didn’t ask her to do that.”
I nodded. “Yes, I know.”
He chuckled, and I clenched my fists; it hurt badly.
“Kunwar-sa—” an attendant’s voice interrupted us. “Rani-sa says everyone is waiting for you two for the royal dinner,” she informed him.
He nodded. “We’ll be there soon,” he said, glancing at me again.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered. I looked into his innocent eyes.
“It’s okay. You should change,” I said, brushing rose petals off his cheek. A slight smile lifted my face.
He stood and walked toward the bathroom. I continued massaging my chest to ease the sting until he returned, dressed in the plain attire he usually wore at night.
“Are you ready?” he asked, and I exhaled deeply.
“Yes,” I nodded. He stepped closer and sat beside me.
“Show me,” he said, reaching for my dupatta. I pushed his hand away.
“Shut up,” I snapped, rising from the couch.
“Kya? Patni ho humaari, hum dekh nahi sakte ki tumhe kahaan lagi hai?” “What? You’re my wife. Can’t I see where it hurts?” he asked. I gritted my teeth.
“No.”
He thinned his brows. I walked past him toward the chamber entrance, and he followed silently, muttering, “Suman, I promise I didn’t ask her to do that.
You know how she is. She loves me the most, and when you threw the milk at me, she might have thought you were trying to hurt me… maybe that’s why she avenged me.”
I stopped and glared at him angrily. “But you taught her how to bite,”
He nodded slowly. “Yes… Maybe I should have taught her not to bite the nipple,” he admitted.
My eyes widened in shock.
“What?” I hissed. “Do you even know how much that hurts? Nandani would’ve killed me!”
He frowned, lowering his gaze.
“Come on, Suman,” he said, looking up. “You know Bhabhi-sa deserves that. She forces me to do things against my will and irritates me sometimes,” he said with a slight grin.
I chuckled, shaking my head.
“But that doesn’t mean you can take revenge like that!” I retorted.
He inhaled deeply.
“Then how am I supposed to avenge her? Tell me!” he asked, frustrated, as we walked toward the dining hall. “Bhai-sa would kill me if he found me playing any prank on Bhabhi-sa… so the next best option is her daughter,” he added with a wide smile.
I shook my head. “I hate you,”
“Please, love,” he pleaded softly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know she would bite that hard.”
I shot him a glare, letting him know the conversation was over for the time being.
Walking into the dining hall, I joined Nandani and Princess Aishwarya.
Kunwar Agastya looked at me pleadingly, but I ignored him throughout dinner as a silent punishment.
Afterwards, I was left alone with Badi-maa to talk while Nandani and Princess Aishwarya went elsewhere. Not even the brothers were to be seen.
“Everything settled down well,” Badi-maa said. I nodded slightly, feeling a nervous flutter in my chest. There was something about her that made me uneasy, though I couldn’t place it.
Thankfully, after some time, Nandani and Princess Aishwarya returned, beaming at me.
“Come, let us leave you to your room,” Badi-maa said. I touched her feet before walking away, still feeling a subtle sense of wrongness I couldn’t identify.
As I entered my chamber, I noticed the delicate lamp decorations and the soft, floral glow. The curtains had been changed to maroon; the carpets were a deep red. The room was bright with countless lamps, yet the light felt muted and intimate. A chill ran down my spine as I took in the setting.
“Do you like it, Suman?” Princess Aishwarya asked. I nodded, giving a timid smile as they guided me to the bed, covered with red rose petals and scented lightly with lavender.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured, looking at them.
Nandani stepped closer and smoothed my dupatta.
“This is important for you, Suman,” she said.
Her voice was soft but serious. “Tonight will change everything between you and Devar-sa. You’ve had many painful experiences, but don’t let any of those memories shadow your moments with Him.
It’s a special night for him, too. Love him with all the emotions in your heart.
Just as you have longed for love your whole life, he has too. ”
I lowered my gaze and nodded, feeling the weight of her words.
“All the best, Suman. Have fun,” Princess Aishwarya said, and I offered a weak smile in return.
“Have you eaten well?” Nandani asked, turning me toward the bed. I nodded, but a sudden flutter of unease settled in my stomach. He had a piercing there, and that would be inside me. The thought of what was to come, of him being so close, made my heart race.
Nandani and Princess Aishwarya helped me climb onto the bed and smoothed my skirt as I sat down. Out of nervousness, I hugged my knees to my chest.
They sat beside me, and I closed my eyes for a moment.
“Are you okay?” Nandani asked.
I nodded faintly. “I think so.” I inhaled deeply, trying to calm myself.
Suddenly, the door pushed open, and I heard Kunwarsa’s voice, “Pumpkin, you got to say sorry to your Kaaki-sa, okay?”
I bit my lip, and Nandani laughed softly.
“He’s here,” she muttered.
My cheeks burned with an obvious blush.
Moments later, he walked closer.