Page 21 of Sumanika

I smiled, moving my hand back to take out the letter. Her lips widened into a smile, and she reached out her hand to take it.

I immediately pulled my hand back.

“Ayeeee, please. I’m dying for this!” she pleaded, her sweet voice bringing an ear-to-ear smile to my face. I handed her the letter.

As she sat on the couch to read it, her eyes brimmed with tears that streamed down her cheeks. A wide smile lingered on her lips.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, and she looked at me, smiling and nodding.“Yes, yes!”

I smiled back, sitting beside her.

She finished the letter, rolled it, and pulled it to her heart before asking,“How are you?” Her voice made me lower my gaze, and I intertwined my fingers and shook my head.

“Something happened,” I stated, and she took my hand in hers and questioned me. "What?" I lifted my gaze to meet hers.

“Since you’re going to be my wife, I think you should know that…” I gulped nervously.

“What?”

“Um, three weeks ago, I found out that one of our attendees was taken captive for self-demolition following her husband’s death,”

“Oh,” she said with wide eyes.

“You saved her, right?” she asked, and I nodded again. "I did, but... to protect her, I had to pretend... that I am marrying her and...,"

“Ohhh,” she looked at me with widened even more.

“You married her?” she asked, and I opened my mouth to explain.

“Not entirely… I mean, I applied my blood... in the parting of her hair so her people wouldn’t burn her alive, giving her a chance to live,” she stared at me in shock, and I waited blankly for her response.

She shifted her gaze from me, gulping nervously.“You know... none of our kingdoms can find out about this,”

I nodded and palmed my face.“I really didn’t have an option, Rashmika. Nothing else came to mind,” I tried to explain.

“So, that means I am going to be your second wife…?” she asked, and I bit my lips nervously and confusedly.

“Our alliance was arranged first, but the ritual happened with her first... I don’t know who is first and who is second,” I said, and she chuckled.

I chuckled after her.

“Wow, you are lucky. You’re going to have two people in your life,” she said, giving me a side-eye.

"And not someone real," I added, looking down with a deep inhale, remembering how my life would be until I die in some war or battle. Empty.

She smiled at me and caressed my hand.

“I hope you’re not angry about it,” I asked, and she shook her head.

“I’m glad you saved her. How is she doing? Is she alright after that?” she asked, and I clicked my tongue and shook my head.“Not really. I think she’s having nightmares, and she’s not smiling like she used to," I said, and she immediately responded, "Ohhhhhhh, smiling? You’re noticing her?" She teased, and I shook my head.

“I don’t have to pay attention to her. She’s always around. She’s close to Bhabhisa. I’ve seen her for the past four years, standing next to her. They’re good friends,” I added, and she rested her head on my shoulder.

“You need to look after her,” she said, and I shook my head.

“I can’t. Everything will go wrong. I can’t ruin us,” I said, and she smiled at me.“You know we can’t be ruined,”

I chuckled and nodded.

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