Page 13 of Sumanika

I glanced at him as he looked up, then quickly shifted my gaze back to her.“Of course,” I replied.

He interrupted.“Bhabhisa, tell her not to cook for me. She cooks terribly,” I took a deep breath in frustration. Nandani chuckled softly.“No, Devarsa, you’ve only had thekhichdishe made. She’s a splendid cook. But don’t worry; she will ask someone else to prepare something,” she replied, glancing at him, tightening my jaw.

“Then it’s fine,” he replied, stretching his arms wide as he spoke.“Ask them to bring that into my chamber,” looking at Nandani.

“Okay, Bhabhisa. I should get going. Bhaisa gave me some work,” he said, looking at Nandani and Princess Aishwarya before standing up with a broad smile.

"Namak mirch thik hone chahiye hamare Bhojan me,"“The salt and pepper should be right in my meal,”

I inhaled deeply and nodded.“Ji, Kunwarsa,” I said, walking away. Their voices faded into the background.

As I stepped into the kitchen, I surveyed the lunch preparations and asked,“What’s on the menu today?” The head cook replied,"Dal Baati Churma, Panchratna Dal, Papad ro Saag, Ker Sangri, Gatte ro Saag."

I inquired further,“Is it ready? Kunwar Agastya is asking for lunch,” I told the head cook, who nodded in response. Yes, it’s almost ready, but we don’t have any servers available right now.”

I looked around, noticing everyone was busy with work.

“It’s alright, just take a plate; I’ll handle it,” I told him.

I waited until they prepared and handled it, then walked to his chamber. Upon entering, I attempted to call out, "Kunwarsa, I’ve brought your lunch. May I come in?" I asked, standing outside his bedroom, but there was no response.

“Kunwarsa, I brought your lunch,” I called out again. Finally, he replied,“Come in.” His speech was deliberate as I entered.

He was writing a letter, leaning forward over the table, so I approached him.

He furrowed his brows, gazing at me from tip to toe."Humse milne ke bahane doondh rahi ho?"“Are you looking for reasons to meet me?” he asked as I kneeled before the table to set the plate.

"Hum kyu bahane doondenge aapse milke ke?"“Why would I do that?” I asked in response. Irritated.

"To fir Bhojan tum kyu laayi ho?"“Then why did you bring the food?” he asked, looking back at the paper.

I sighed,“Pehli baar laaye hai? Pehle bhi to kitni baar laaye hai na. Fir aaj aap esi baate kyu kar rahe hai?"“Is this the first time? I’ve brought you meals many times before. So, why are you saying such things?” I inquired lowly.

He finally lifted his gaze from the paper to me. I could feel the weight of his gaze. But I didn’t dare to look up from the maroon fabric hanging over my chest.

It hit me!

I was still wearing the attire he gave to me. Shit! That’s why he was watching me so closely back then and now.

"Paros de? Kunwarsa,"“Shall I serve, Kunwarsa?” I asked, embarrassed.

A long silence followed as I calmed my racing heartbeats down, and he finished writing.

"Thik ho tum?"“Are you alright?” he asked, and I responded, smiling,"Hume kya hua hai?"“What happened to me?” I clenched my fists on my knees, waiting for his answer.

But Ranaji’s voice startled me.“You’re back, Agastya?”

I stood up and stepped back, looking down as he entered.

“Bhaisa,” Kunwarsa chirped, getting off the couch. glancing at them from the corner of my eye.

“Where did you go without telling me?” Ranaji asked, walking to the couch.

“Nowhere. I was feeling down, so I thought I’d take a walk,” he said with a faint smile, sitting beside Ranaji as he patted his shoulder.

“You shouldn’t wander around like that anymore. You’re about to become a man with responsibility. After your marriage, you shouldn’t roam like a free bird,” Ranaji said.

“Ji, Bhaisa, by the way, should I ask someone to bring your lunch here too?” he asked, and Ranaji gazed at the food and replied.

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