Page 14 of Sumanika

“Oh, yes, I need to talk to you about something as well,”

I left them alone after saying.“I should get your lunch, Ranaji,”

Reaching the kitchen, I asked the helpers to prepare food for Ranaji. A few attendees lined up with bowls in their hands, and I directed them to follow me.

We all reentered his chamber and watched them talk. I signaled the attendees to place the bowls on the table and asked slowly.“May I serve you, Ranaji?”

He smiled and replied,“Yes, please.”

I began while he ordered the other attendees to leave.“You all can go.” They bowed and left.

“Do you think they will take any action against it?” Ranaji asked Kunwarsa, and I tried not to pay attention. I was the trusted attendee, so he didn’t ask me to leave.

“They will. And I think they are behind all of this.”

I didn’t know why, but everything felt different. I had heard them conversing a thousand times while serving food, but this felt different.

“So, do you think six months is the minimal time they’ll need to lift their swords?” Ranaji asked.

“We must wait until after the wedding,” Kunwarsa suggested,“because then, and only then, can we use Meharangarh’s army.” I felt uncertain, but I sensed they were discussing the same kingdom where he had secured his alliance.

I finished serving and filled their empty glasses with water, and Kunwarsa said,“Let’s eat, Bhaisa.”

Ranaji nodded and looked at me, asking,“Suman, has Ranisa eaten lunch yet?”

My heart raced slightly, and I tried to respond.“Not yet, Ranaji. She just had a plate of raw mangoes. We’ll serve her a bit later.”

He turned to Kunwarsa.“Did you bring her raw mangoes?”

He chuckled, admitting,“I wouldn’t have gone otherwise.”

Ranaji cautioned,“Limit the mangoes; otherwise, she’ll complain about pimples.”

I smiled and nodded.“Yes, Ranaji.”

They asked me to leave. I returned to the Queen’s chamber. The day unfolded routinely. I cared for her, helped her bathe in the evening, and gave her a foot massage before bed.

I felt a profound sense of peace and fulfillment; I wanted nothing more. The love I received from Nandani and the trust and importance that everyone placed in me was enough for me to dedicate my entire life to this kingdom: Suryagarh.

After that incident, life gradually returned to normal, and I resumed my daily chores. The days passed, and thankfully, I did not see Kunwarsa again. I didn’t know where he was. Nandani hadn’t given me any tasks like delivering lunch to him or supervising the attendees while they cleaned his room. Perhaps he had gone somewhere else.

He had been attending meetings and negotiations since Nandani got pregnant. Meanwhile, Prince Ranvijay, Kunwar Agastya’s older brother and Ranaji’s younger brother, was in the Kingdom overseeing construction on the outskirts, which is currently at its peak. Kunwarsa would disappear for months and sometimes leave the Kingdom without saying a word.

The last three years have transformed the Kingdom. After returning from a wedding three years ago, he has changed significantly. He may have matured, but the responsibilities have likely affected him.

What was I thinking? And why did I care?

I took a deep breath, gathered my thoughts, and returned to work.

I had spent all my time caring for Nandani. It had been two weeks since I last saw him in Nandani’s chamber. My life was getting back on track, but my thoughts wouldn’t settle. I had been having terrifying nightmares since that day. Some nights, I woke up drenched in sweat. Just moments away from consuming me and freeing my soul, the flames haunted me deeply.

The only thing that brought me comfort during those nightmares was the memory of his hand resting on my head. I rolled onto my right side beneath the comforter in my room. It was past midnight, and everyone else had already fallen asleep.

Since that day, I have habitually left the lamp lit in my room. A few fellow attendees asked me about it, but I could only say that it helps me stay alert in case Nandani needs me in the middle of the night.

With my eyes closed, I tried to drift off to sleep and push away the thoughts of that day, but it felt impossible. I pulled the comforter over my head, hoping it would protect me. However, as soon as the comforter trapped the heat, flashbacks of the blazing pyre flooded my mind.

I felt my heart slow, my cries grew louder, and people watched me with my hands bound to the wood. I couldn’t help but push the comforter away and sit up. It was getting worse.

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