Page 42 of Sumanika

I noticed her eyes widen at the mention of my name, and I couldn’t help but bite my lip slightly to suppress a smile.

“But, Ranaji, Ranisa might need me. Should I send someone else?” She asked.

Bhaisa shook his head.“I’m here with her, and I’ll send the message if she asks for you. The sweets are pretty important,” he said in a slow, slightly pleading voice.

She nodded immediately.“Yes, Ranaji,” she said, slightly bowing while glaring at me.

I felt like celebrating twice: first for the girl and second for winning the bet.

“Let’s go,” I said, but she walked past me without glancing. I nodded at Bhaisa, and he smiled back.

I walked away and noticed her hurrying to the kitchen.

"Ab bhaag kyu rahi ho?"“Why are you running now?” I called.

Suman

I was trying to walk as fast as I could. His footsteps trailed behind me at the same pace. What the hell just happened? A girl? How could I have such bad luck in just a month?

No, the girl wasn’t the misfortune; my choice was indeed one. But I didn’t agree to the bet.

Yes, I did not. I did. Urghhhh. Yet, I didn’t even respond to him.

“Why are you running?” I heard his voice, and a shiver ran down my spine. I took a deep breath, trying to focus on my walking while ignoring him, but with his long legs, he quickly closed the gap and started walking beside me.

As we moved through the less crowded—the empty—gallery, with all the attendees rushing around joyfully, he said,“Don’t worry, I’m in no rush. You can take your time.”

The teasing in his slow, deep voice made me take a deep breath and look at him, momentarily pausing my feet.“It’s wrong; you’re getting married in just four months,” I mumble.

He inhaled deeply, gazing at me, and stepped forward. Fear surged through me, and I instinctively stepped back, glancing around.

Another step closer, and I felt my back hit the wall behind me. I shifted nervously from foot to foot, watching him approach, erasing the two-foot distance between us. I tried to say,“What are you doing? Kunwarsa, someone will see us.” My voice came out shaky.

He replied slowly,“Tooti footi, kachi pakki, nakli, asli hi sahi, thodi si patni to ho na hamari, shart haari ho to vo to karna padega.” "Real, fake, broken, half-full, you are my wife, even if just a little. Now that you have lost the bet, you have to do that.” His slow voice made my cheeks flush.

I couldn’t understand why his words weakened my knees, and I tried to respond, especially to the half-wife comment.

"Aap hamare pati nahi hai... vidh..."“You are not my husband… I am a wid…” I found myself unable to finish. The colorful memory of that day and the thought that he could die after marrying me echoed in my ears, leaving me speechless.

How can I be a bad omen for the person who saved my life?

“Say it,” he urged, his gaze intense, and I opened my eyes, staring back at him with equal intensity.

“This is wrong. You should act as if I’m dead. Please, I know you’re just teasing me, but don’t do this,” I pleaded.

He inhaled deeply while looking at me. There was a calculated pause between us, and he nodded slowly.“Fine,” he said.“but even if you weren’t my half, little bit of a wife and had lost a bet, I would still ask you to keep your promise. I’m committed to my bets.”

"But I didn’t agree."

I noticed an attendee approaching us; I immediately pushed him away and started walking normally.

"You did," he said, trailing behind me.

He seemed truly happy for the first time since that incident. Yet, his presence made me feel uneasy. I averted my gaze and observed him as he twirled his dagger.

"Vese agar sabko pata hota to tumhe hamari bhatiji Kaakisa kehti ya Maasima?”“Let’s say that if everyone knew about us, what would my niece call you,KaakisaorMaasima?” he inquired, his lips curling into a teasing smile.

I clenched my jaw.“My dead husband has five children, and I’m technically their mother, so what would they call you? Father?” I asked, and he turned to me with annoyance, making me smile.

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