“I’m not angry. Do I look angry?” he said, and I sighed in distress.
“Fine, fine, fine, how can I make it up to you?” I said, feeling like I was already losing in front of him. His brothers had raised a spoiled prince who neither listened nor understood.
“I’m not angry. So, you don’t have to do anything to make it up to me. After all, I go out to meet girls at night, flirt with Rashmika, watch you undress without your knowledge, and so on. So, you don’t—”
“You watching me naked without my knowledge was true,” I cut him off, and he exhaled deeply.
“I lay naked in your lap. You had no problems that day. Why is your body a body and mine not?” he said in a slightly frustrated tone, and my mouth hung open.
“But you knew I was watching you,” I exclaimed, and he lowered his gaze.
“I’m not talking to you. Just change,” he said, and I bit my lips, shaking my head.
“Sorry, I don’t feel like going out. You can go,” I said, swallowing hard as I noticed him watching me.
He remained silent for a moment and nodded.“Okay, as you wish,” he said, then opened the door and left.
I felt bad. A painful ache erupted in my heart, watching him leave.
I didn’t know what had suddenly happened between us.
Kneeling, I looked at the bag he had brought me.
Maybe I was being too stubborn. Perhaps we both didn’t need to stretch it further. We could’ve talked without bringing up the past.
I mean, his seeing me change didn’t offend me that day. I didn’t know why I brought it up.
To have something to say, maybe.
But it did nothing but hurt him. It didn’t bring us closer. Sometimes, in a relationship, one has to overlook certain things. One of them was the past. It is called the past for a reason.
I sighed deeply and walked toward the door, but my steps froze when I heard a soft knock.
I gulped silently and looked at myself, wondering if I looked presentable.
However, the moment I opened the door, my heart skipped a beat, and a slight smile appeared on my lips.
He lifted his gaze from the floor and looked at me.
“I came back to find out why you’re angry?” he questioned slowly, and I heard the distant sound of anklet bells.
“Someone’s coming here,” I said, pulling him inside the room.
His eyes widened in shock as I asked,“What are you doing here again?” My voice came out in a whisper, and he pouted at me.
“I didn’t want to hurt you,”
Inhaling deeply, I stared at him blankly.
After a brief pause, I replied,“I know,”
He gulped and closed his eyes, holding my arm and pulling me closer to him.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” His words made me shut my eyes.“I just want you to respect yourself. Because if you don’t respect yourself, people won’t respect you. Respect your boundaries, your timing, and everything. There’s no need to overburden yourself. You’re already doing more than enough for us. Why do you always think that the chores won’t get done if you don’t do something? Trust me, they will be done.”
I sighed, nodding.
“This isn’t overburdening, Kunwar-sa. I care for Nandani, Ranaji, Prince Ranvijay, Princess Aishwarya, and the people living in this palace. I don’t mind staying up late or getting up early to take care of them,” I spoke slowly, trying to present my perception.
