“Oh! I pulled the water out of the well a little too hard,” I lied.
“Okay, anyway, Rani-sa11is calling for you,” Reva informed before leaving.
Even though I had only met her at Suryagarh, she was like a friend; she had been incredibly helpful from the beginning. We took turns handling responsibilities whenever we felt tired.
I arranged the dupatta over my head and walked out. They were still playing.“Yes, Nandani,”
“Suman,” she looked at me.“Ask someone to make something for Devar-sa.”
I glanced at him as he looked up, then quickly shifted my gaze back to her.“Of course,” I replied.
He interrupted.“Bhabhi-sa, tell her not to cook for me. She’s a terrible cook.”
I took a deep breath in frustration.
Nandani chuckled softly.“No, Devar-sa, you’ve only had the khichdi12she had made. She’s a splendid cook. But don’t worry; she will ask someone else to prepare something,” she replied, glancing at him.
I clenched my jaw hard.
“Then it’s fine,” he replied, stretching his arms wide.“Ask them to bring it to my chamber,” he said.
“Okay, Bhabhi-sa. I should get going. Bhai-sa has given me some work,” he added, looking at Nandani and Princess Aishwarya before standing up with a broad smile.
“Namak mirch theek hone chaahiye humaare bhojan mein,”“Make sure everything’s perfect in my food.”
I inhaled deeply and nodded.“Ji, Kunwar-sa,” I said, walking away. Their voices faded in the background.
?????
Once I entered the kitchen, I surveyed the lunch preparations and asked,“What’s on the menu today?”
“Paapad ro saag, ker saangri ro saag, gatte ro saag, panchratna daal, baati, aur meethe mein choorma13.”The head cook replied.
“Is it ready?” I asked further.“Kunwar Agastya is asking for lunch,” I told the head cook, who nodded.
“Yes, it’s almost ready, but we don’t have any servants available at this instant.”
I looked around, noticing everyone was busy with work.
“It’s alright, just pass me a plate; I’ll handle it,” I told him.
I waited until they had prepared the food, then walked to his chamber.
Upon entering, I attempted to call out,“Kunwar-sa,”
Standing outside his bedchamber, I asked,“I’ve brought your lunch. May I come in?” but there was no response.
“Kunwar-sa, I brought your lunch,” I called out again.
Finally, he replied,“Come in.” His words were deliberate as I entered.
He was writing a letter, leaning over the table, so I approached him.
He frowned, eyeing me from head to toe.
“Humse milne ke bahaane dhoondh rahi ho?”“Are you looking for reasons to meet me?” he asked as I kneeled before the table to set the plate.
“Hum kyun bhala bahaane dhoondenge aapse milne ko?”“Why would I do that?” I asked, offended.
