“Of course. But I’m an attendant, and it’s my responsibility to take care of you,” she said, trying to hide her smile.
“As an attendant, your responsibility is to care for Bhabhi-sa, not me, half-wife,” I said, and she looked up at me.
“Don’t call me that,” she said, narrowing her brows.
“What?” I replied.
“That, half-wife,” she replied, and I shook my head slowly, questioning her.
“Why? You are still and will always be my half-wife,” I said slowly, and she took a deep breath.
“You know I cannot do that. We talked about it,” she said, wrapping the bandage around my hand.
“But I want you,” I said, resting my head in her lap.“I need you.”
She flinched at my touch and tried to push my head away.
“Someone might walk in, Kunwar-sa. You can’t do that,” she said, and I closed my eyes.
“Just for a few moments. My head hurts, Suman. I can’t ask any other woman to do this. You can do it, right?” I pleaded, and she eventually gave in.
“Alright, but just for a few moments,” she added, and I smiled.
“Yes, thank you,” I said as I felt her fingers gently slide into my hair.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed her soothing touch on my head.
She remained silent, and I said nothing either. She kept running her fingers through my hair, and I felt relief.
I needed nothing more than this if she wasn’t ready.
I was happy for us to be this way. It was like she was there for me, and I was there for her, something more substantial than marital commitments.
“Kunwar-sa,” she called out in a low tone, and I hummed.
I swallowed quietly, letting the warmth of her presence soothe me and ease my pain.
“What if that incident hadn’t happened?” she asked, and I opened my eyes.
“What do you mean?” I questioned.
“I mean, what if you saved another woman, not me? Would you have fallen for her? Would you expect her to accept you as a husband? Would you want to spend your life with her, too?” she asked.
And I bit my lip, moving my head from her lap, and sat up straight.
?????
25. Suman
My heart was heavy at that moment, but it was better than it had been. The silence between us felt soothing, and I gazed at his face.
“Maybe,” he replied, and I looked at my fingers moving in his curly hair. He closed his eyes and added,“I understand you, Suman. I know what you are feeling, and you didn’t hurt me.”
I inhaled deeply, feeling a pang in my chest.
I lowered my gaze, and I bit my lip before asking.“What happens now?”
He inhaled sharply, adjusted his head on my lap, and muttered,“Nothing, just be yourself and happy.”
