Page 11 of Sumanika

“Where have you been? I was so worried about you,” she asked as I sat before her and took the bowl from the hand of an attendee to massage her swollen feet.

“You should be more concerned about your baby, Nandani,” I reminded her, and she foot-nudged me, prompting me to smile instantly.

“Only my baby? Nothing yours? Don’t you remember we talked about this earlier? You are my children’s Maasima,” she said, and I nodded, laughing a little.

Not just Maasima...

I quickly pushed those thoughts aside as she asked,“Is everything fine at your home now?”

I nodded.

“How’s your mother now?” she asked, and I smiled weakly.

“Better.” She knew nothing about what happened, and I didn’t know the real reason before I left either. My parents sent me a letter telling me my mother was sick.

“You look upset, Suman,” she pointed out. Greasing the oil on my palms, I touched her feet, shaking my head.

“No, I’m just tired from traveling,” I replied, and she immediately pulled her feet back.

“You don’t have to do that; just take a break,” she said, and I smiled at her.

“I’m alright, Nandani. You should rest,” I said.

Suddenly, she shivered and cried out in pain.“Aah,” she rolled her eyes, and I chuckled softly.

“The baby kicked again?” I asked.

She nodded.“Yes, the baby is driving me crazy. He keeps kicking me even when his mother is resting, sleeping, or you-know-what—”

“Bhabhisaaaa!” Kunwarsa’s excited voice cut her off. I froze, daring not to pull away, and lowered my gaze to her feet, hiding myself as if I could.

“Deversa,” Nandani screamed with joy. I felt his footsteps approaching us.

“I brought you a ton of raw mangoes and the special pickle you asked for,” he said, setting an enormous basket in front of her.

Her eyes widened with surprise.“Oh, my God!”

She immediately grabbed a mango from the basket, but before she could bring it closer to her mouth, I snatched it.“No,"

He glared at me, and I gulped nervously.“After washing and slicing, I’ll bring you some,” I said to Nandani, standing up and walking toward the kitchen.

I heard Nandani’s faint laugh. My primary responsibility was to ensure her health and food quality. Ranaji wouldn’t hesitate to punish me if she ate anything wrong. Reaching the royal kitchen, I asked a few attendees to bring two bowls of water, then grabbed a clean plate and knife to take to her chambers.

When I reached back, I noticed Princess Aishwarya sitting there with them, too. They were playing ludo, laughing together.

Nandani’s pregnancy has been critical from the beginning, and the physicians have strongly advised her to avoid any kind of stress. However, as the Queen of a kingdom perpetually caught in wars and turmoil, she felt powerless. I sat beside her.

She looked at him and said,“I’ve also placed your pieces.”

I shook my head with a smile,“I’m not playing.”

“I’m not playing either, Bhabhisa; I have some work to attend to,” Kunwarsa said.

Nandani glanced at me, and Princess Aishwarya looked at him.

“What? You called me to play Devarsa, and now you can’t back out,” Princess Aishwarya said to him. I silently grabbed a few mangoes from the basket to wash them in the bowl.

“I’m slicing mangoes for you,” I said innocently. Nandani insisted, patting my knee,“We can wait for you.“

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