Page 161 of Sumanika

I narrowed my brows, stepping closer. His eyes widened with shock, and I noticed his gaze lowering down to my lips.

"Hum le aaenge wapis,"I promised him.

"It's okay; I'll bring it back," I joshed innocently, staring into his darkened green eyes.

Silence followed as he whispered over my face,“You’re wasting your time.” His intimidating gaze weakened my knees, but I affirmed,“Hum haar nahi manenge.”"I won’t stop trying."

He took a faint breath."Or humse Aaj Tak koi Jeet nahi paya,"“And no one has ever beaten me.”

The danger was obvious in his voice. This wasn’t a joke or raillery. He was serious—more serious than I had ever seen him before. He was beyond angry—hurt and heartless.

I gulped as he turned away. But I would win him back. Agastya Dev Singh was mine.

I knew I hadn’t told him everything. But he had to accept me because I couldn’t imagine being without him. His rejection slit my heart. His‘No’was more brutal than blades.

I inhaled deeply and returned to work, asking an attendee to take his lunch. He wouldn’t eat if I took it, and I knew he was stubborn. So was I. I didn’t meet him afterward; for days, I tried to talk to him, but he ignored me. He spent most of his time with Princess Rudraja or alone, always busy. He avoided his chamber, knowing I would seek him out. Instead, he mingled in the garden, spent time in Prince Ranvijay's chamber, and returned at night. He was recovering quickly, and each day, I felt more impatient.

But my patience snapped when I learned Ranaji had asked him to marry Princess Rashmika.

Everything had happened because of her, and now the wedding?

I had two thoughts. First, Kunwarsa had nothing with her, and second, there seemed to be something between the two of them—a soft corner or perhaps something deeper.

And I came in the middle.

The thought alone made me restless. I was trying hard to fall asleep but couldn’t. Throwing the comforter aside, I sat up, wishing to be in his chamber. But, he must have been sleeping at this dark—past midnight.

But I had to talk to him, too.

Regardless of everything, we shared a history, and I refused to let my efforts go to waste.

Honestly, I was confused, but deep down, I knew I couldn’t avoid him. I could be angry, upset, frustrated, or anything else, but his face was something I wanted to see every day.

I realized it only after he returned from war. It changed something in me.

Inhaling deeply, I palmed my face.You are a gone case, Suman.I had to see him.

I couldn’t stop, wrapped a shawl around, and left for his chamber.

I knew it would concern us if anyone saw it, but I couldn’t care less; I had already gained fame among the attendees, and I had overheard their gossip about me.

I walked through the galleries and arrived at his chamber. The soldiers standing outside glanced at me and halted my progress.

"He is resting, you cannot go inside,"

I inhaled profoundly."Dekho hamara unse milna bahut awashyak hai, ye hamare jeevan ka prashn hai,""See, I need to see him; it's about my life,"

They looked at each other.

I added,“Do you know how difficult it is for a woman to be used and then ignored by a man? He used me, and now he’s acting like nothing happened. You both are complicit in this by preventing me from going inside.” I lied. I had no other option. It crushed my self-respect, but at this moment, he was important.

The silence followed before one of them gulped and stepped aside. "But, remember, he must not fire us.”

I stepped inside, and my gaze first landed on the empty bed. Then I noticed the dim lighting. I scanned the room, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Kunwarsa," I called out, stepping further in.

A sudden shift in my heart accompanied the realization of his absence; it felt like the calm before a storm.

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