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We kept talking till the sun rose, and he blessed me to win people’s hearts. He advised me to do good for them. I was waiting for the soldier to gain consciousness so that I could take him back to the palace.

She must’ve been waiting for me. I didn't know, but I always had a soft corner for her. She was a princess, nine years younger than me, and somewhere she became precious to me. Like, she was mine to care, to scold, to laugh with, to make angry.

I was beginning to enjoy being in her presence. It wasn't irritating, but content. As her husband, I wanted to be responsible for her.

It was noon already, but the soldier hadn't opened his eyes. And so I kept waiting. Guruji offered me lunch, but I refused.

I wasn't sure if she would’ve eaten anything. Somewhere, my instincts were telling me she must be angry with me, torturing herself.

Finally, the soldier opened his eyes, and I asked him if he could travel. When he agreed, I brought him back after bidding adieu to Guruji.

It was late in the evening by the time we reached.

My clothes were stained with blood, so I took a quick bath first. Changing into fresh clothes, I asked the physician to dress my wounds, as I didn't want her to worry about my injuries being left open.

Once I had them dressed, I left for our chamber, and the moment I stepped inside, everything looked… different.

The chamber’s furnishings had been changed—it smelled pleasant inside, and seemed cleaner. My sight fell on an attendee passing through. Stopping her, I asked,“Where is Ranisa?”

Keeping her head low, she answered,“Ranaji, Ranisa is sleeping in her bedroom. She got tired after cleaning,”

I furrowed my brows.“After cleaning?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Yes, Ranaji, she woke up early in the morning and cleaned every corner of the chamber on her own. She even had the carpetsand mats changed. When I asked her if she wanted anything for her back pain, she refused. She has eaten nothing since last night,” I took a deep breath, looking around.

She cleaned everything in anger?

I shook my head and asked her,“Can you bring our dinner to the courtyard?” She nodded and left. I entered the bedroom and found her sleeping on the bed, covered with the comforter. I called her.

“Nandani,” I walked further inside, but she did not answer.“Nandani,” I called her again, but she kept silent.

Moving closer to the bed, I sat beside her and pulled the comforter, but she pulled it back.“Aeeeee,” I made a playful sound and called out again,“Nandani.” I tried to hold her wrist, but she jerked my hand away.“Nandani,” I called again and muttered,“I had some work.”

“So go, do your work,” she replied,“Go away, never come back. Just be gone,” her voice turned hoarse and broke by the end.

I again tried to pull the comforter down and said,“Nandani, so much anger, you cleaned the whole chamber!” For some reason, I found it endearing that she cleaned everything in a fit of anger. I couldn't stop laughing.

I again tried to get hold of her hand, but she yanked it away.

This was it. I got off the bed and opened all the curtains so no one could see I was lying with my wife. I climbed over the bed beside her.

“Hey, look at me,” I held her arm, shifting closer, but she moved away. I tried to turn her towards me, but she resisted so much.

“Don't touch me,” she said, a little loud. I clasped her wrist to turn her to face me. But she had her back facing me.

I held her chin, freeing her wrist, but she again prevented my touch. Having no other option, I hovered on top of her and clasped both her wrists, pinning them above her head.

I cupped her cheek to make her look at me. My eyes met with her red, swollen eyes.

“I am sorry,” I softly muttered, but she tried to get rid of my hold. I leaned in, moving my face close to hers.

“Leave me, stay away from me. Go to hell,” she spat in absolute annoyance, wiggling under me.

I placed my forehead on her and mumbled,“Nandani, I am sorry.”

Inhaling a sharp breath, she turned her face away, panting, her heart beating fast. She kept trying to free her wrists.

“I’m sorry,” I clutched her wrists tighter, and suddenly a few of her bangles broke, making me immediately leave her hands.