Page 72 of Sumanika

“So, what do you think of her? Is there any progress in love?” Daadisa teased him, and he chuckled, shaking his head.

“I’m a pretty inexperienced Daadisa, but you seem like a player. Tell me how you gotDaadasato fall in love with you,” he asked with a teasing tone, and Daadisa cupped his face with a slight laugh.

“YourDaadasawas like an angry king. We were both very young when we got married. Then, as I grew older, he came to take me with him. He wouldn’t speak sweetly to me; he was very work-oriented, giving orders and stating what needed to be done. Meanwhile, I was clumsy and talkative. When he returned to the chamber, I would excitedly tell him about my day, but he often fell asleep, irritated by my chatter. This continued until he got used to my talking, and we gradually learned each other’s ways. We never spoke about love like Rudra and Nandani, who keep their lips glued together as a joke. It was a simple, straightforward, responsible marriage,” she said, and I looked at Kunwar Agastya, who was listening to her intently.

“I like that simple, plain marriage too. It’s beautiful to learn about someone from the beginning and get to know them then,” he said slowly, and I rolled my eyes. Whatever he did was neither simple nor plain. How could he do that? I mean, I never understood which Agastya was the real Agastya.

Suddenly, the princess cried softly, and they both turned to look at me. I quickly started to move her a bit, and Daadisa called out to me.

"Suman, come here, sit with me,"

I gulped quietly and glanced at him as he sucked on his lower lip with a slight smile, then walked silently toward her.

“Ji, Daadisa,” I tried to say as she softly tugged my hand to get me to sit beside her.

I nervously sat down on the couch with her, and suddenly, Kunwar Agastya got up.

"Awwww, my baby,"

He walked over and sat down next to me. I felt a slight uneasiness sitting between them with a baby, and then she began.“The man has come with Abhinandan. He is a good soldier in the army. He used to serve as my guard too. You should meet him after the ceremony,”

I gulped nervously, hearing the fake laughter of Kunwar Agastya as his fingers grazed the baby’s hands.

“Hahaha, awwww, my baby. You are so small. Do you want to meet yourKaakisa? Do you know who she is? Do you want to go into her arms?” His words made me feel uneasy, and I could feel my cheeks burning with heat. I gulped as I looked at him, but he didn’t look at me, and Daadisa brought my attention back to her.

“He is a good man, Suman. How long are you planning to stay alone? You’re young, independent, and what’s your age? It’s too soon to give up on life. You will meet him, right? He’ll make you happy,”

I sucked on my lower lip and tried to nod. "Ji, Ji, Daadisa,"

“Are you listening, baby? What are those two talking about? Daadisa is discussing her wedding? Do you want to attend her wedding? There will be a feast,” he muttered in a childish tone, making me feel incredibly uncomfortable. I turned to look at him, and he looked back at me. I subtly shook my head without making it obvious to Daadisa.

"Alright, come to see me in my chamber after the ceremony," Daadisa said, and I nodded weakly, looking at her.

I tried to stand up a little, but he immediately stopped me.

“I’m still playing with my baby,” he pouted in front of me, while I sat silently.

“Alright, I’ll go see Abhi,” Daadisa said as she stood up from her seat. I noticed him gently tickling the baby’s feet. She smiled in her sleep, and I glanced around at the attendees watching us. One of them was the same person who had caught us the other day. I felt terribly stuck.

“Is Bhabhisa ready?” Suddenly, I heard Princess Aishwarya’s voice and immediately stood up from the couch. She smiled as she walked towards me and looked at the baby.

“She’s with Ranaji,” I said as she took the princess from my hand.

“Oh my baby, how do you feel about this ceremony?” she playfully asked the baby as I turned my gaze to Prince Agastya, who was looking at me with a blank expression. I couldn’t be sure, but his eyes hinted he was upset with me. He rolled his eyes, stood up, and walked away.

I gulped nervously, unsure of what to do. I couldn’t refuse Daadisa without a good reason, and bringing up what happened between us definitely wasn’t a good reason for now.

I excused myself to take care of the preparations. I wasn’t required to be part of the family gathering. In other words, my presence wasn’t necessary.

As I walked into the area where the food was being prepared for the feast, I began to ask how much was left to do. I spent some time motivating them and encouraging them to be at their best.

After that, I came to the main compound where the function was taking place. I looked at everyone seated in their places. Ranaji and Nandani were sitting in front of theHawan Kundacross from the priests with their baby. The atmosphere was spiritual and energetic. The chanting echoed loudly around me, and I sat behind Reva, who was with other attendees.

Suddenly, Nandani turned to me and motioned for me to come over. I tried to avoid attracting anyone’s attention as I approached her. She took my hand and led me to sit behind her.

I wasn’t aware, but in some ways it felt good and in others it felt bad that I was hiding something significant from her.

Princess Aishwarya and Prince Ranvijay sat behind Ranaji. I shifted my gaze to locate Kunwar Agastya, but he was nowhere to be found.

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