Page 102 of Sumanika

"Yes, I know, I was pregnant," she replied.

I nodded. "Yes, the people my tribe captured wanted to burn me along with him," I managed to say, my voice trembling.

"What? Why didn’t you tell me anything?" She asked, shock and worry on her face.

"Because you were pregnant," I managed to say.

"Then?" She held my hand.

"Then he came to save me, but the people were too stubborn; they didn’t want to let me go until he had to marry me," I said, and her eyes widened in shock.

"Marry as in, in the temple, the whole ceremony?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"No, he..." my voice broke. "He cut his thumb with his sword and filled the partition of my hair with his blood," I tried to explain, and she screamed.

"What??"

Then she lifted her gaze to look at him.

"What the hell? Why didn’t you tell me or anyone anything?" she yelled at him, and he inhaled sharply.

"Well, I expected a thank you so much, Devarsa, for saving my best friend," he teased her lightly, and she gritted her teeth.

"I am not in the mood, Agastya," she said, clenching her fists.

"Well, we can't tell anyone anything until I get rid of Rashmika," he said, and she narrowed her brows.

"So, you're making it real?" she asked slowly.

There was a slight pause. I didn’t say anything, and he nodded slowly.

"I didn’t want to, but now, yes, I want her," he said, looking into my eyes.

Goosebumps spread across my skin as he said that while she looked at me.

"I can’t believe those people tried to kill you. I’m going to wage war on them. How could they?" she raged, and I shook my head.

"They wouldn’t listen, Nandani. It's the custom of our tribe, and it's like singing in front of a cow," I managed to say, and she immediately hugged me tightly.

"Oh my God! I can’t even imagine what would have happened to you," her voice broke, and I hugged her back.

"Nothing happened to me," I said, my voice trembling.

"Still not a thank you," he muttered from behind, and I couldn’t help but chuckle a little.

She withdrew from the hug and stood up from the couch, walking toward him.

"What happens to Rashmika now?" she asked seriously, and he lowered his gaze for a moment.

"Give me some time; I will show you," he said slowly, and I noticed he seemed very tense about something. Last night had been quite playful, but he still seemed a little off. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.

"By the way, thank you so much for saving her," she said, and he smiled.

"You gave me a nice gift; this was the least I could do," he muttered softly, and I narrowed my brows, unsure whether I should smile or be upset.

"Why did you come here early in the morning?" he asked suddenly, and she lightly slapped her forehead.

"Yes, I came here to ask you to go with Abhinandan. He actually needs a hand with something," she said, and he nodded.

---