Page 35 of Sumanika

When I reached the quarters, I immediately raced to the bathing area. It was empty, as all the attendees were busy celebrating. Stepping down the stairs to the shared pool, I kneeled on the last step and leaned forward to wash my hand.

But as soon as I looked at my reflection in the water, my heart stopped. The red imprints of his fingers weren’t just a mistake but a gesture of my belonging to him.

I looked at my palms, smudged with red powder. I immediately turned around to notice the imprints of my red feet on the wet stairs.

Tears welled in my eyes.

No.

He couldn’t do this to me.

Why was he making me familiar with the color forbidden for me? Why wasn’t he scared of my fate ruining his life? And, most importantly, why was he interested in me this way?

“Suman,” an attendee’s voice caught my attention, and I turned around to look at her.

“Yes,” I asked, wiping away my tears.

“Ranisa is asking for you,” she said, and I smiled, nodding.

He promised me that nothing would happen. Although I didn’t believe in superstitions, I still couldn’t risk the lives of people I wholeheartedly loved.

But, the red color imprinted on my cheeks, forearms, palms, and feet were not only his ideology, but more like his confidence in my fate, and order to me.

So, I trusted both my fate and his trust in it.

I went to the celebration and enjoyed it to the fullest. Nandani was happiest watchingDaadisaand PrincessAishwaryadance for her.

Suman

It’s been two weeks since that incident—encounter—whatever.

I had been trying hard to avoid him. I wouldn’t go near Nandani if he was around. I wouldn’t go to his chamber even if Nandani asked me to; I would send another attendee as he suggested. I wouldn’t even look at him if he crossed my path.

No, I wasn’t angry. But he was right. Even if nothing happened, I might stand between him and his wife. Maybe. And I could never become the person I deeply hated—a mistress.

What was I even thinking?

As I cleaned Nandani’s chamber late in the afternoon, thousands of thoughts raced through my mind when she suddenly let out a scream.“Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh,”

I ran toward the resting area, my heart racing as I gazed upon her leaning against the wall. Water trickled from her core, running down her legs.

“Nandani,” I yelled, and“Reva, call the physician,” I added, motioning for Reva to hurry.

“Aaahhhh, I think… the baby is coming… aha.”

Ranaji rushed toward her.“Nandani!”

“Ahhh, Rudra,” she cried out in pain, and he immediately turned to me.“Have Agastya send a letter to Mahabaleshgarh.”

I stood stunned.

What? How could I?

Lifting her in his arms, he hurried to the inside of the chambers. The physicians came running.

My heart raced as I impulsively ran towards his chamber. I lifted my skirt slightly and dashed forward, my heart pounding inexplicably—perhaps it was time for good news. Yet, dread crept in, thinking of the pain she would endure. The sound of her single cry sent chills down my spine, leaving me uncertain about her delivery.

I navigated through the bustling galleries, chaos enveloping me as I neared his chamber. My sole intention was to convey the news and return to her swiftly. However, upon entering his chamber, an unsettling emptiness overwhelmed me, intensifying my heartbeat. Memories rushed back—remnants of that day when his hand had brushed against mine, and the touch still lingered on my arm. I took a deep breath, attempting to calm my racing thoughts.

---