A sharp slap followed from Nandani to his arm.
“In your shawl?” she snapped.
“Nandani,” I tried to call her, but her piercing gaze pinned me to the ground.
“What?” she shouted.“What the hell is happening between you two?”
I shook my head in fear.“Nothing.”
“Do I look blind to you?” she demanded, locking eyes with me.
“Maybe,” he added quietly from behind,
She turned to him instantly.“What? What did you say?” She hollered, and he ran his fingers through his hair.
“I don’t know how you see Suman. No one is here. You’re hallucinating. Maybe this is your dream. Wake up, Bhabhi-sa, wake up,” he remarked, and I lowered my gaze, shaking my head.
I couldn’t believe it.
Nandani palmed her face in disbelief.
“Seriously, Agastya?” she gritted in frustration.“I gave birth a week ago, but I’m not mad. How can you even…?” she gasped suddenly, as if realisation hit her.“Wait, a moment!” She turned to look at me, and then back at him.“What’s on your lips?” she asked, and I quickly wrapped my shawl around myself.
He bit his lip, and she glanced back at me.“Suman, did you do that?” she asked, shocked, and I looked down in dread.
“Why would I?” I said, my voice trembled.
She inhaled deeply, walked toward the couch, and sat down, shaking her head.
“I can’t believe this was happening right under my nose in this palace.”
He stepped forward and shook his head.
“No, Bhabhi-sa,” he paused before continuing,“Actually, our chambers are in a line, so it wasn’t happening right under your nose, but technically beside your nose,”
Nandani’s eyes blazed with rage as she hurled a pillow directly at his face.“Shut up!”
“What? I’m just correcting you!” he said, chuckling slightly.
“Leave him alone, Suman. Can you tell me what’s happening? What are you doing in his room so late at night?” she asked, and I lowered my gaze in shame.
I couldn’t help but say,“I’m sorry.” My voice broke as she quickly rose and strode toward me.
“How dare you?” She raised her hand, but before she could touch me, he stepped in.
“Don't you dare, Bhabhi-sa,” he muttered, his voice more serious than before.
“Are you out of your mind, Agastya?” she called out.“This is cheating. You’re going to marry Rashmika in a few months. The friendship between Mehrangarh and Suryagarh relies on this alliance. And she was sleeping with you—”
“She was sleeping with her husband,” he intervened, and I shut my eyes, allowing tears to flow down my cheeks.
“I’m really sorry,” I whispered.
“What?” Nandani asked in a low, stunned voice. She stumbled back slightly, about to lose balance, and he stepped forward immediately, holding her by her arm.
“Careful,” but she shot him a furious glare.
“What do you mean, she was sleeping with her husband? What the hell is happening here? And what are you two up to?” She asked, her tone rising with each word, and I broke down in tears.
