“No, no plans to change,” she giggled, stepping back a few paces, and I moved closer to hold her hand, but she laughed heartily and sprinted away.
“No change of plans, Kunwar-sa,” she said, and I chuckled, chasing after her.
“Hey, don’t run!” I exclaimed, and she turned back to look at me before leaving the cottage.
“You can’t stop me,” she teased, and I followed her.
The bright moonlight illuminated her, filling me with sudden joy. She playfully displayed her thumb, prompting me to shake my head.
“Suman, if I catch you, you’ll regret it,” I warned, eliciting her laughter.
“Hahaha… catch me first, Kunwar-sa,” she challenged, giggling as I approached her.
She stepped behind a tree, peeking at me. The soft whirling of the river mingled with the silence of nature and the chaos in my heart. I longed to spend time with her as much as she seemed to want, unaware of the uncertain future ahead, the looming war I wished none of my brothers would have to fight. Our enemy was unknown, and my older brother had just welcomed a baby, while my middle brother was blissfully married to a wonderful woman who adored him. I didn’t want to shatter any families.
“You can't catch me!” she squealed, darting away. And without realising it, she was becoming my home, too.
“Suman, don’t go too far! There might be lions, tigers, or even crocodiles!” I joked, and she stepped closer.
“I hate crocodiles,” she replied, frowning, rushing toward me, prompting my laughter.
“Well, now I’ve caught you,” I claimed, wrapping my arms around her tightly.
“You cheated!” she protested, playfully pushing against my chest.
“Come with me,” I said, grasping her hand and leading her to the riverbank.
“Where are we headed?” she asked.
I wasn’t sure, but there was something different about her smile that night—it made her look more vibrant and beautiful. Once we reached the riverside, with its beautifully arranged, smoothly polished stones, I suggested we sit there in silence.
“Are you still mad at me?” she asked, glancing at me while walking on the stones.
“No, why would I be?” I replied, though I felt a tinge of hurt.
She was the one person I had confided in, hoping she wouldn’t judge or despise me. It stung when she brought up a sensitive issue during an argument.
But I realised she had the power to hurt me. She had endured more, and I could empathise with her struggles. I understood her fears about falling in love with me.
Wait! Did I say love?
“It’s because I just mentioned you go to brothels,” she stated, drawing my gaze as I pulled her closer.
“Isn’t that the essence of a relationship? Being able to share anything?” I asked, and she smiled softly, shrugging.
“Maybe,”
I focused on a large stone beside the river.“Let's sit there,” I suggested, and she smiled, settling on the stone.
“Alright,” she said, and I caressed her cheek tenderly.
“Let me gather some firewood,” I told her.
She nodded in response, her gaze fixed on me, watching me collect dry branches. I glanced back at her and noticed her smiling face.
“Kunwar-sa,” she called, and I hummed in response.“Is everything okay between you and Princess Rashmika?” she asked as I handed her the wood I had gathered.
“Why do you ask?” I replied, stepping away to gather more wood and grabbing two smooth stones to light the fire.
