Page 19 of Sumanika

She wasn’t my wife. She wasn’t… my wife. She was not my anything—just a responsibility.

Maybe, More than responsibility.

I gulped, clenched my teeth, and tried to forget that day, focusing on other things. But one thing gnawed at me deeply: the suffering of the women who had experienced that ritual. I didn’t know what motivated me to protect her, but at that moment, I felt I would lose someone who had contributed so much to my life.

I observed her smiling and laughing with Bhabhisa while diligently working each day to fulfill her responsibilities.

She didn’t deserve to die like that. Nobody did.

My heart raced. I couldn’t even imagine what the future would be like without her. In that moment, her pain was so overwhelming that I forgot everything and did what needed to be done. I had no idea how much trauma she endured.

There I was, plagued by nightmares of that day, utterly oblivious to what she was experiencing.

“Kunwar Agastya,” a voice from the audience interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to face him.“Hmm?”

"Commander Eklavya came to see you." I nodded before he left.

I rushed to finish my bath, concentrating on the critical matters ahead. After getting ready, I stepped out and noticed Eklavya waiting for me in the meeting area.

"Kunwar Agastya," he said, standing up with a bow as I approached him.

"Is everything ready?" I inquired, and he nodded. I mentally reviewed my checklist.

The gifts, the soldiers, and Eklavya.

"Did you test it?" he asked, and I nodded slightly.

“It’s working, but I’m not sure exactly how we can use it,” I admitted, and he furrowed his brow before speaking after a brief pause.

“Several people have observed the commander of Mehrangarh in the brothels. Perhaps we should place some spies there. He knows what’s happening, and I think they may also know how to exploit it.” He suggested, and I nodded, considering his words.

“Then we should focus on extracting yellow crystals from Songarh,” I suggested, and he agreed.

“There’s only one issue: we need to appoint someone trustworthy in Mehrangarh to monitor them,” he said, and I smiled slightly.

“That’s why I’m taking you there,” I said, wrapping my arm around his shoulder as we walked toward the kingdom’s main door.

“What do you mean?” he asked, confused, and I explained.“I’ve asked Rudra Bhaisa to assign you as my fiancé’s bodyguard so you can watch over the kingdom.”

He arched his eyebrows.“Why would they agree to that?”

Smiling, I replied,“Because I care about my future wife,”

He smirked a bit.“Caring? Really?” he teased, and I playfully punched his abs.

“Agastya,” Rudra Bhaisa’s voice caught my attention, pulling my gaze from Eklavya to him. He walked to us.

“All set?” he asked, resting his hand on my shoulder, and I nodded.

“Yes, I’m excited to go to the Ganguar festival,” I lied. He smiled before turning to Eklavya.

“And you, the gift?” he asked. Eklavya smiled and nodded.“Yes, Ranaji, all set.”

“Remember, no blunders, no fights, no actions—just information,” he reminded us. He was aware of our concerns about a war approaching our doorstep. Eklavya and I shared a quick glance before nodding in acknowledgment.

"Yes, Bhaisa,"

"Yes, Ranaji,"

---