Chapter 42
Detaching myself from her, I lay beside her. My chest heaved with heavy, ragged breaths. I could feel the last traces of energy draining from me. Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I pushed my hair aside, letting a bit of air reach my face.
Suman let out a slow, soft sigh, and I gently pulled her closer.
“Are you okay, love?” I asked.
She rested her head on my chest and grumbled, “Do I look okay to you?”
A small smile tugged at my lips. I leaned in and kissed her forehead. The first light of dawn was going to creep in soon, but I wanted to savour this moment. Closing my eyes, I shifted slightly on my side and wrapped my arm around her, pushing her hair aside.
She panted, closing her eyes. Her face flushed a beautiful shade of red.
My lips stretched into a light smile as I stared at my wife, my life, my everything, in my arms.
She inhaled deeply and opened her tired eyes.
“Are you okay, love?” I asked again. She nodded faintly.
“Yes,” she muttered, and I kissed her forehead once more.
She pressed a soft kiss to my chest. “Thank you…” she murmured, making me frown. “For loving me.”
Holding her hennaed hand, the bangles tinkled as I intertwined my fingers with hers.
“You don’t have to thank me, love. I should thank you for bringing your beautiful presence into my lonely life. I don’t know if you understand, but I love you so much. Your presence… it means everything.”
She smiled weakly, blinking up at me.
“I never thought we’d come this far,” she whispered.
I chuckled softly. “I worked hard for it.”
She laughed, teasing, “Yes, I know how hard you’ve worked.” I gently caressed her belly under the comforter.
“I hope you won’t get pregnant,” I muttered.
She frowned. “Why not?”
“Babies spoil romance. If you do, we won’t be able to make love.” I said, and she rolled her eyes.
“But babies are a gift from God. You can’t stop them,” she replied, pressing her chin lightly on my head.
“Oh,” I muttered.
Knock.
Suddenly, a loud knock on the door made us both jump.
“Agastya,” we heard Rudra Bhai-sa call, and she sat up in a panic.
“The chamber! The bed! Ranaji is here!”
I stepped down from the bed as she scrambled to cover herself with the comforter.
“My clothes!” she shouted, pressing the fabric to her chest.
I tried to get my lower on in a hurry. One leg slipped in easily, but as I struggled with the other, I stumbled and began hopping on one foot.
She threw a pillow at me, whisper-yelling, “My clothes!”
I fell back hard. “Ouch!”
“Agastya!” Bhai-sa called again.
I quickly slipped my other leg in and rushed toward the couch, catching sight of her terror-stricken face. Grabbing the fresh nightdress lying there, I handed it to her at once.
“I’ll open the door. Don’t worry, he won’t come inside,” I reassured her. She inhaled deeply, still tense.
Running my fingers through my hair, I approached the door. I took a few calming breaths and opened it. My brows furrowed when I saw him holding Rudraja in his arms. She was wailing hard.
“Aww, my pumpkin,” I cooed, stepping forward to take her from his arms.
She squealed, wriggling her tiny arms toward me. “Ataattaa kaaaaaakkkaaaaaaaaaa taaattaa!!!” she continued, trying to say my name, shaking her head frantically.
I frowned in confusion.
“She’s been crying since last night for you,” he explained. “Nandani tried to calm her, fed her, and walked her in the garden. I did everything, but she kept crying for Kako-sa.”
I gently cradled her back, and she rested her head on my shoulder.
“Oh,” I murmured, feeling my heart swell.
He exhaled deeply beside us.
“Look, I know it’s your wedding night, but if my daughter keeps crying like this, she’ll fall sick. So, it’s better if you wrap things up for now. If not, please, another time. Nandani and I need sleep badly. We’re exhausted as well,” he said, stifling a yawn and rubbing his eyes.
“Oh… okay,” I muttered, unable to say more, and nodded.
He tapped my shoulder. “Good night, Agastya,” and turned away. I exhaled deeply, watching him leave, and closed the door behind me.
My eyes fell on Suman, standing in a long white dress tied at the waist, looking at me with curiosity.
“What happened?” she asked.
“She’s been crying all night for me. I think we should let her sleep here,” I said, noticing Princess finally calming down.
Suman paused for a moment, then nodded. “I told you, she must be crying for you. She’s stubborn, just like you. You can fool her only for a few moments. She wants what she wants.”
“Yes…You were right,” I said and walked toward her. Princess straightened slightly and looked at Suman.
“Suuuuuuttttttaaaaaaaaaa,” she cried. Suman smiled and took her from my arms.
“Aww, my lovely little baby. Maa-sa scolded you, Baapu-sa didn’t bring you here… aww, my baby,” she cooed, and Princess repeated her babble, which I couldn’t understand.
“I should clean this bedsheet. It’s all crushed rose petals,” I said, and Suman nodded. She moved the pillows aside and pulled the sheet off. As the petals fell, she suddenly paused.
“Is that blood?” she probed.
I noticed two small dots. “Yes,” I admitted softly. She blinked at me, confused. “I guess, it happens sometimes with deep penetration,” I explained slowly. She nodded timidly.
“Are you sure you’re okay? No discomfort? Should I call the physician?” I asked as she sat down, holding Princess on her lap.
“Yes, it’s just soreness. Nothing serious,” she replied.
I arranged the pillows and comforter back on the bed.
“Was it…good?” I asked cautiously. She smiled at Princess, wiping a stray tear, and caressed her forehead.
“Yes… a bit,” she murmured.
“Only a bit? Did I hurt you? I tried to be gentle. I’m sorry if I caused pain,” I said, worried.
She stayed silent, massaging Princess’s head.
Princess suddenly opened her eyes and whimpered, “Taaatttaaaaa.”
Suman leaned back on the pillows, Princess on her chest, and gently patted her back.
“Aree, humaari gudiya, thak gayi ho na? Vivaah mein kitna kaarya kiya hai na aapne. Anekoan logo se mili hain aap. Kitna pareshaan ho gayi hogi humaari nanhi si raajkumaari,” “Oh, my little baby, you must be tired, no? You worked so hard at the wedding and met so many people. Our little princess must be worn out,” she continued.
Princess babbled in response, making me smile.
Suman signalled me to lie down. I obeyed, and she shifted to press her back against my chest, inhaling deeply. I wrapped my arm around her. She lifted her face over her shoulder to look at me.
“I’m not hurt, Kunwar-sa. Everything was perfect. Stop worrying,” she murmured, and I sighed internally in peace.
She cupped my cheeks, pulling me closer, and brushed her lips against mine. “I love you so much, too,” she whispered, and I closed my eyes.
Soon, Princess fell asleep, and Suman carefully tucked her in, placing pillows around her to prevent her from falling.
“Come here,” she muttered. I slipped closer, pressing my chest to her back. She held my hand inside the comforter over her lower belly. “Massage here for a while. It aches a bit,” she said. I kissed her cheek and gently massaged her.
She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep, but I couldn’t.
Watching her sleep beside me, just hours after our first intimate night, I felt overwhelmed. Her scent filled my senses, and I marvelled at how I got someone so pure, so extraordinary. I had wanted a princess… and instead, I found a queen.
I leaned in to kiss her head. She inhaled in her sleep, turning slightly toward me. My eyes widened, worrying that she hadn’t disturbed Princess in the slightest.
Wrapping my arms around her, I gently massaged her arms, knowing her body would ache a little. The memory of her lying on my legs, pushing herself into me, feeling every pulse, played vividly in my mind.
I watched her surrender to the pleasure, to the teasing ache, and to the sweet edge of pain. Her moans were intoxicating. When she cupped my face in her hand, it felt as though I had found the love of my lifetime, as if an ocean of love had been entirely poured over me.
I had believed she wouldn’t accept me, wouldn’t love me again after everything I had revealed about my past. I had already decided not to burden her any further. Yet perhaps we were meant for each other after all.
We were meant to unite.
I held her hand in mine and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“Thank you for coming into my life, my half-wife,” I muttered. She slapped my chest sleepily.
“Full wife,” she corrected, chuckling.
“I love you, Suman,” I whispered.
I kept smoothing her hair and caressing her cheek until sleep claimed me.
?????
The next morning, I woke to a cold touch on my cheeks. Inhaling deeply, I held her hand and breathed in her scent.
I felt a fleeting peck on my lips, followed by her voice, “Good morning, love.”
My eyes fluttered open as I looked at her, dressed in bright pink, with damp hair framing her glowing face. Tiny droplets from her locks dripped onto my bare chest, sending shivers down my spine.
Slowly, I brushed her hair aside and cupped her cheeks. “Good morning, love,” I muttered, leaning in to kiss her, but she quickly dodged, laughing.
“You need to freshen up,” she said with a smile. “Before anyone comes looking for you.”
I clenched my teeth and glanced past her. Rudraja wasn’t there.
“Where’s Rudraja?”
She smiled. “Nandani came to take her right after she was asleep. She thanked us for calming her down.”
I nodded, sitting up, and grabbed her hand, pulling her with me.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked, startled.
I said nothing and lifted her in my arms.
“To bathe with me.”
?????