Page 104 of Sumanika

"No, you look like my wife to me," I couldn't help but say.

"No one is going to agree with us. She agreed because I'm her best friend. Ranaji, Prince Ranvijay, and the other kingdoms won't like it,” she said with slow tears. I cupped her cheek to make her look at me.

"Agastya Dev Singh kahenge to bhagwan ko bhi manna padega, ye to fir bhi chote mote Raja hi hai,"“If Agastya Dev Singh asks them, even God will have to agree, let alone these minor kings.”

She laughed a little, and I wiped the tears from her cheek.

"But I hurt her," she said, and I pulled her into a warm hug again.

"That's okay; I'll gladly be her dog in return," I said, remembering what Bhabhisa had asked me to do as part of our arrangement this time.

"What would she ask you to do?" she asked, breaking the hug. I looked into her morning eyes—empty yet filled with love.

"Nothing," I paused, "Just stirring up a bit of drama between her and Bhaisa so their relationship continues to blossom, and finding some useful information for her—things she likes but doesn't share with Bhaisa," I said.

"What things?"

I furrowed my brows and asked, "Umm, that's a secret between us?"

And she nodded. "Of course."

"Mitti khati hai tumhari Priya sakhi," "She eats edible clay," I said, and her eyes widened in shock.

"What? She didn't give that up?" she asked.

I furrowed my brows. "Does she look like someone who gives up on anything? Just think about how she managed to win over my Bhaisa."

She raised her own brows. "You don't feel ashamed saying those words in front of her? I mean, doesn't she feel like a mother figure to you?"

I gently took her hand and guided her to the edge of the bed. I sat down and pulled her closer, settling her in my lap.

"I do, but she doesn't see me as a child," I said, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. I didn’t know why, but I lost my composure whenever she cried. The moment Bhabhisa tried to raise her hand to her, I lost it. I understood they were best friends, and her family treated Suman as one of their own. Daadisa cared for her, called Abhinandan Bhaisa, and Bhaisa respected her immensely, but I couldn't tolerate anyone raising their voice at her.

Because she didn't deserve it. I had always found her waking up before everyone else and being there for Bhabhisa whenever she needed her. And she never made it seem like a burden. She had forgotten herself for this family—my family.

She watched me silently and muttered, "I'm sorry for all the blunders."

I shook my head and cupped her cheek. "You are the most beautiful blunder any man could ever have, Suman," I said, stroking her cheek, and she leaned in closer, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

Hiding her face in my neck, she kissed the base of my neck and whispered, "Thank you for everything, Kunwarsa."

Her words sounded sad, and I wrapped my arms around her tightly, closing my eyes. "I don't need a 'thank you.'"

Her hold tightened on my shoulders. "But," I paused and couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"If you want to thank me, you know... the bet is still pending,” I concluded, and she immediately lifted her gaze to meet mine with an intense glare.

"I can't believe you," her voice was astonished. She immediately pushed me to stand up.

But I held her wrist to stop her. "Hey, you can’t leave without a proper thank you. I’m a man of my word. If I say something, I stick to it," I said with a smile. Her frustration flared up as she shook her head.

"Are you mad? I've done nothing like that," she said with a flushed face, and I pulled her closer.

Our chests collided, and I gently cupped her cheek, gazing into her eyes. Her gaze flickered between mine and my lips as her heartbeat quickened.

“Do you want to see how it’s done?” I asked. She inhaled sharply, her cheeks flushed. She shook her head slightly, as if trying to resist the effort.

A smile spread across my face as I asked,“Do you want to go out with me?”

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