Page 158 of Sumanika

They exchanged glances before one of them walked inside. I felt uneasy that they had to ask. I shifted on my feet, and a strange weight on my knees unnerved me.

When the soldier returned, I gulped, my heart exploding inside.“He asked to leave the lunch with us,” He informed, breaking the last shells of my courage.

I stood stunned and hesitated to ask again, but they denied it and took the plate from my hands.

What happened to him? Why didn’t he want to see me?

I knew it was all my fault. He was angry with me.

I returned to my work area.

Maybe he just needed some rest. I should make his favorite food for dinner—I smiled at the thought.

I spent the whole evening making his favorite dishes. After cooking, I plated the food and went back to his chamber.

It had turned dark.

The soldiers stopped me again, and I begged them to tell him I had arrived, that Suman had come. One of them did, but Kunwarsa still wouldn’t allow me inside; instead, he also sent the dinner back. My heart shattered.

Tears filled my eyes, and I couldn’t help but try to drift off to sleep after returning to my room.

I didn’t know what was wrong with him. Was it so hard for him to at least listen to me? I just wanted to express my fear, anger, and confusion about what was happening. I never intended to hurt him like that.

I couldn’t sleep as the vision of him crying, knocking, trying to speak, and returning away from my door kept revolving around.

I took a deep breath and woke up early the next day. I was going to make him talk to me. I wouldn’t stay idle; he had to listen to me. I prepared his favorite breakfast and entered his chambers before anyone else could wake up.

The soldiers stopped me again.

"Please, let me go inside for once. I won't cause any trouble. I won't tell him you let me in. You know I've been here before. He's upset with me. Please, help me, my brother. I promise he won’t harm you, please," I begged, holding my hands together, and one of them nodded.

“Okay, but just make sure he doesn’t fire us,” he said, and I nodded, smiling.“Yes, yes, I promise he won’t; I swear,”

I carried the breakfast plate inside.

The soft glow of the early morning sky streamed through the windows, enveloping the room in silence and dim light. The bed curtains were drawn closed, and I bit my lip, moving toward the table and setting the breakfast plate down.

I felt scared to call him out, "Kunwarsa," My heartbeats were sinking low.

He did not reply, encouraging me to stroll towards the bed and part the curtains.

It was empty.

Suddenly, I noticed footsteps approaching from the bathroom. I turned to look in his direction, and my heartbeat stopped.

His green eyes met mine, bringing tears as I noticed his trimmed hair.

The soft, long curls I used to move my fingers were gone. I gulped, fighting the lump in my throat, and my sight fell on bandages wrapped around his forehead, arms, and on the side of his stomach.

Watching him stumble because of wounds in his leg, I could not stop myself from walking towards him, offering my help. But with his blank stare, I froze.

"Let me help," I stuttered, reaching for his shoulders. He pulled his hand away from me, escaping my touch.

My heart twitched. I tried again, but he didn’t let me.

He limped towards the couch.

"I brought you breakfast, Kunwarsa," my voice was shaky.

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