Page 7 of Sumanika

I closed my eyes and splashed water onto my face. Once, twice, thrice, until the last drop of his blood was washed away, along with my hands and feet. Afterward, I returned to the spot where he had been waiting for me, and suddenly, he grabbed my wrist.

My eyes widened with shock.

“Come with me,” he said, scorching my grazing wrist. The touch felt a little uneasy. However, my soul didn’t seem to mind. I knew he was protecting me, so it shouldn’t feel wrong.

“How did you find out about me?” I hesitated, questioning,“I mean, why did you come here?” as we walked through the mazes of the trees. The dusk was darkening.

“I read the letter you received. We make copies of all letters that arrive in Suryagarh and keep them for safety reasons. While searching for a letter in that copy, I came across yours, which mentioned that your husband has died and that you are being summoned. You didn’t share everything with Bhabhisa, which made her worry about you afterward. While speaking with Bhabhisa, I learned about your tribe’s custom of burning wives with their deceased husbands. So, I came here and saved you. However, I didn’t know that your people could be so wild and that the entire village would come to slaughter me.”

He turned to me, adding,“No one can know what happened there—not what transpired between us. I did that only to protect you; now you are completely safe. You can live your life as you did before. I won’t bother you, okay?” in a serious tone, and I nodded slowly.“Ji, thank you so much for saving me, but you didn’t have to do that. I’m just a maid, Kunwarsa,” I couldn’t stop myself.

“I would have done the same for anyone in your position. Don’t think of yourself as special,” he replied dryly, leaving my hand in front of a small cottage.“Come inside,” he said, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as soon as I noticed the darkness in the cottage.

“What is this place?” I asked, hiding my fear.“You don’t need to know.” He responded curtly.

Yes… of course!

Stepping inside, I felt the dirt beneath my feet. But the cottage had a strange warmth. No one had visited here in years. The dim light streaming in through the small hollow in the wall fell on the dry leaves, a small trunk, and a few earthen pots in the corner.

He walked over to the trunk, and I paced back in fear. I didn’t know where we were, and the mere thought of someone discovering us together felt worse than death.

The air was thick, making me uncertain about how to confront him in the Kingdom when we returned. Plus, Nandani would inundate me with questions and interrogate me.

“Here,” his voice caught my attention. He handed me a pair of maroon attire. It was used, but I didn’t dare ask to whom it belonged and muttered,“Thank you.”

“You can’t go back to the Kingdom wearing these.” He gazed at my white clothes.“Bhabhisa will worry, and I don’t want to add to her stress right now. She’s already suffering, and knowing what happened might impact her health,” he explained, and I nodded, swallowing quietly.

His Bhabhisa was the queen of Suryagarh and was never arrogant toward anyone. She had always regarded me as her best friend, and she was currently unwell because of her pregnancy. That’s why I couldn’t tell her everything.

“I know, Kunwarsa, and please don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about what happened. I understand you did that to protect me, and I can’t even think of myself as your wif…” My heart came to my mouth as he cocked his brow,“I mean, that position in my dreams. Everyone is so happy about your wedding that they should never know about it. I hope we can both forget this day and continue our lives as they were,” I said uncontrollably, unwelcome tears streaming down my cheeks.

“And thank you so much for saving me,” I added,“I don’t know how I can repay you in this life. You didn’t even think of yourself before doing that. I mean nothing to you; I’m no one. We haven’t even spoken once, yet you came to rescue me. I will pray to God that you receive everything you desire in this world,” with a trembling voice.

He stepped closer, and I immediately lowered my gaze and stepped back. But as he placed his hand on my head, I halted. The gentle weight, screaming protection, forced my lashes together.“It’s okay. I can’t stand seeing any woman suffer through that. Try to forget it as a terrible memory.” His following words,“I can’t bring your husband back, but time will heal everything,” made me chuckle.

More tears streamed down my face as I shook my head.“Even if you could bring my husband back, I would never want that,” I exclaimed, adding,“I need to change.”

He pulled his hand back and nodded,“I am standing outside.”

He paced out of the cottage and closed the door behind me.

My chest felt heavy as I lowered my gaze to the white attire stained with his blood. I still couldn’t process what had happened. The memories of the flames, the smoke, the cries, the screams, and the blood weakened my knees, and I tried to calm myself down, closing my eyes, fisting my hands.

I would never forget that, nor would I forget the debt he owed me.

Stripping thedupattaand opening my blouse and skirt, I stood naked. My long braid hung low to my hips; the burnt ends poking against my skin. I wore the pair he gave me—the plain maroon one. After putting it on, I neatly placed the dupatta over my head and said,”Andar aa sakte hai ab aap,"“You can come in now,” glancing around.

But when he didn’t respond, even after a short while, tension thickened my blood and quickened my heartbeat.“Kunwar Agastya,” I called again, clenching my dupatta. I stepped toward the door when he still didn’t answer.“Kunwarsa,” I cried out. Intense fear coursed through me, making my knees shake. It was getting dark; I didn’t know where I was, and now he wasn’t responding.“Please reply, Kunwarsa,” my voice trembled with fear as I cautiously approached the door.

“Kunwarsa,” I called again, pulling the door open. The creaking of the old wood sent a strong shiver down my spine. My heart raced wildly, and my breathing grew heavier than my eyes searched for him.

I stepped outside, looking around. With growing darkness, I could hardly see anything. The sounds of insects and the rustling of dry leaves stirred by the wind sent goosebumps. A profound silence surrounded me; I felt a storm raging inside. Tears filled my eyes as I moved further, calling out to him. "Kunwarsa, where are you?"

I clenched my hand tightly around my skirt and looked around. My steps were small and fearful. When I didn’t find him, I burst into cries.“Kunwarsa,” I called again.

Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps rustling against the dry leaves, cracking the broken stems, approaching from afar, alarmed my ear. I spun to see him walking toward me.

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