Page 167 of Sumanika

Did he ask Princess to do that?

What?

How?

And why?

And, just by looking into his green eyes for once, I still felt a flower blossom in me even after a year.

My heart, which felt calm and at peace, suddenly jerked alive and now beats fast for him.

I did not know what kind of power he held over me. It all began with needing him for comfort and protection, which then turned into wanting him more and more, blindly, at any cost.

This started hurting me, and when he left, I thought that maybe I would manage to get over him or at least make peace with him.

Here we are again.

But I didn’t want to talk to him. Not after whatever I had done to him. I still didn’t know if I was good for him now or not. I didn’t want to hurt him anymore.

I gulped and silently walked to the kitchen to check on the preparations.

Nandani sent attendees to call me for the Hawan and donation ceremony, but I kept telling them I would join in a bit, as I was busy with something urgent.

And then, suddenly, she came by herself.

"Suman, what the hell are you doing?"

I lifted my gaze from the dough I was kneading for the guests' Pooris and looked in her direction. She looked beautiful in her orange attire, and I gave an embarrassed smile and tried to respond.

"The cooks are busy, and I need more help here," I gulped. I didn’t know why I was trying to hide.

"Shut up," she said, taking my hand to lead me out of the kitchen. She asked me to wash my hands once we reached her chamber.

Everyone was outside, and I didn’t understand why she brought me here.

"Change," she stated, widening her eyes, but I shook my head slightly.

"Nandani, seriously, I’m not feeling up to it. There's so much work pending, and I’m menstruating too," I tried to lie, but she stopped to look into my eyes.

"Oh, I didn’t know," she muttered. "Um, you should take a rest then. Don’t work," she said, and I immediately regretted saying it.

"No, no, I’m perfectly fine. It's the Princess' birthday. I want to be part of it. Plus, the Kingdom is flooded with guests, but you know," I inhaled deeply, and she gulped. She smiled and cupped my cheeks to make me look at her.

"You’re trying to escape from him," she said in simpler words. I tried to shake my head but eventually closed my eyes, agreeing.

In direct terms, I was doing exactly that.

"But why? It’s not like he will eat you," she said, and I opened my eyes to look at her.

"Trust me; he’s busy with Rudraja, Rudra, Prince Ranvijay, Nandan, and the guests. He hasn’t even had time to talk to me properly. They’re discussing politics. So, calm down," she said, gently patting my hands. I tried to nod.

"Alright," I muttered.

"Now, get ready. What will I tell Rudraja once she gets older? What were her Maasima and Kaakisa doing on her first birthday, hiding from her Kaakusa?" she said, and I couldn’t help but chuckle slightly.

"Please, Nandani," I managed to say, holding her hands in mine.

"You know I’m not family and never will be. Don’t make me see dreams I’m trying to forget. I messed up, and he doesn’t want me anymore," I tried to explain, and she stepped closer.

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