Page 136 of Sumanika

"Alright, but just for a few moments," she added, and I nodded with a smile.

"Yes, thank you," I said as I felt her fingers gently slide into my hair. I closed my eyes and enjoyed her hand on my head, massaging it softly.

She remained silent, and I said nothing either. She kept running her fingers through my hair, and I felt relief.

I needed nothing more than this if she wasn’t ready.

I was happy for us to be this way. It was like she was there for me, and I was there for her, something stronger than marital commitments.

"Kunwarsa," she suddenly spoke in a slow voice, and I hummed, "Hnnn?"

I swallowed quietly, letting the warmth of her presence soothe me, easing my pain.

"What if that incident hadn’t happened?" she asked slowly, and I opened my eyes.

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"I mean, what if you saved another woman, not me? Would you fall for her? Would you expect her to accept you as a husband? Would you want to spend your life with her too?" she asked, and I bit my lip, moving my head from her lap and straightening up.

Suman

"I mean, what if you saved another woman, not me? Would you fall for her? Would you expect her to accept you, too, as a husband? Would you want to spend your life too?" My voice came out slowly as I asked him. My heart was heavy at that moment, but it was better than before. The silence between us felt soothing, and I stared at his face silently.

"Maybe," He replied, and I looked at my fingers moving in his curly hair. He closed his eyes and muttered in a slow voice.

"I understand you, Suman. I know what you are feeling, and you did not hurt me," he said in a slow voice. I inhaled deeply, suddenly feeling a weighted pang in my chest.

I lowered my gaze, and I sucked on my lips before asking. "What happens now?"

He inhaled sharply, adjusted his head into my lap, and muttered slowly. "Nothing, just be yourself and happy," He said, and I smiled a little. I did not know, but it felt peaceful suddenly after the storm of chaos, and I tried to ask in a slow voice. "But, I hurt you,"

He shook his head, smiled, lifted his gaze a little at me, and said."Bass ek tum hi to ho jo dard bhi degi to dawa jesa lagega. Fir dukh kesa?"“You are the only one who even gives me the pain; it will feel like medicine. Then, what sorrow?” His words made me feel different, and I could not help but lower my hand to his cheeks and feather it gently."Hum aapse nafrat nahi karte,""I do not hate you,"

He smiled widely and nodded."Kar bhi nahi paogi,""You will not be able to either,"

Suddenly, he inhaled deeply and looked up at me.“But do not sympathize with me. I don’t need that,” he added, and I gulped silently, unable to say anything.

He closed his eyes, and I continued to massage his head gently. I felt uneasy about everything. It wasn’t just what he said, but something deeper. I sensed I had seen this coming before, even if I didn’t understand how.

I mean, the way he got upset at first and tried to push me away, I knew something dark about him.

But he was unlike other men. He was there for me, not just to rescue me but also afterward when I needed him.

I visited his chamber the other day, and he said nothing. He understood that I just needed some silence and his presence. I didn’t realize it then, but I know I was hurt because of him, and right now, he is the only one making me feel good.

After that incident, he had become my comfort. Nothing could go wrong when I was with him.

“Tell me, Suman,” he blurted in a slow voice, and I blinked nervously before asking. "What?"

He held my hand, which was bandaged, and kissed my fingers before saying,“Everything that is bothering you.” His voice became deeper and more peaceful this time, and I smiled.

“I don’t know, Kunwarsa,” I started, clasping his fingers in my hand as I continued.

“I’m feeling terrified,” I mumbled.

He smiled and replied,“That’s okay. It’s not something you hear every day.”

I bit my lips and shifted his head off my lap; he raised his gaze to meet mine, filled with confusion and pain.

---