“I’m so happy for you, Suman,” Queen Trisha said, and I smiled shyly, looking at the ground.
“Congratulations, child,” Daadi-sa wished in her trembling, tired voice, and her face turned slightly red.“Nandani,” she turned to look at her.
“Ji, Daadi-sa,” Nandani asked.
“I think Suman’s wedding should take place in Pratapgarh. On your wedding, we couldn’t enjoy as much as we had dreamt, and Suman is like our daughter. So, I want her to be married off from the royal palace of Pratapgarh,” Daadi-sa said, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks.
“But, Daadisa—”
“That’s such a good idea,” Rani-maa interrupted, even before I could speak.
“But there is no need. I mean, why bother?” I tried to state, but Queen Trisha made me turn to look at her.
“Humein to keval utsav manaane ka avsar chaahiye. Aur kitna accha lagega, dono parivaar milenge, harshoullaas hongi, baatein hongi. Hum to kisi ko abhi itna jaan bhi nahi paaye hain. Isi bahaane apne parivaar ko, Nandani Jiji ko, aur sabhi ko jaan paane ka avsar milega,”“We’re looking for an excuse to celebrate. And how wonderful it will be when both families come together to have fun, talk, and enjoy each other’s company. And I haven’t really had the chance to get to know anyone yet. Through this, I’ll be able to get to know my family, Nandani Jiji, and everyone else better.” Queen Trisha said, and I simply blinked.
“Seriously, this is so good. I’m so excited,” Princess Aishwarya squealed. However, amidst all of this, I didn’t really know what to say. It was my second marriage, and spending such a fortune on this made me feel apprehensive. I wondered if I was worthy.
“Um, I think you should talk to Ranaji about what he thinks of Agastya’s wedding,” Nandani said with a warm smile.
I didn’t know why, but it felt as if everything was happening way too fast. Everyone was already talking about my wedding. I couldn’t process it.
Everyone talked as they walked toward the ceremony. I quietly followed behind, listening to their plans for our Haldi48, Mehendi49, and Sangeet50.
Upon reaching the pavilion, I found the priest waiting for Ranaji, Nandani, and Princess Rudraja to be ready for the hawan, sitting before the hawankund. Behind them, Prince Ranvijay and Princess Aishwarya also sat, and suddenly, I felt my hand being gripped from behind. I looked back, finding Kunwar-sa.
He smiled softly and kissed my hand before walking us closer to the space behind Princess Aishwarya and Prince Ranvijay. I was flabbergasted, so I turned around, only to find the astonishment on people’s faces. Even the attendants were giving me looks.
“Kunwar-sa, sab dekh rahe hain,”“Kunwar-sa, everyone’s watching.” I whispered, and he smirked.
“Then enjoy the attention,” he muttered and pulled me down to sit beside him.
“I think I should go and look after the arrangements in the kitchen,” I attempted to say, sneaking a glance at him. He had his jaw clenched tightly as he calmly took one corner of my dupatta and tied it to his royally embroidered dark maroon shawl.
“Don’t you dare stand up from here until the pooja is over, or you will see my wrath,” he growled low, and I silently lowered my gaze, trying to focus on the priest's chanting.
His hand was on my lap, intertwined with my fingers, and I discreetly looked at him—his eyes were closed. The way his long lashes grazed his cheeks, bringing out his softer, innocent side, I was awestruck. His thick, perfectly shaped brows, along with his pointy nose and fuller lips, had me gulping at their beauty. The soft, shiny curls that had subtly framed his face gave him such charm that they had me smitten.
He held a different kind of power; it was almost charismatic. Even if I had tried, he was someone I couldn’t escape, ever.
I looked down at our interlaced fingers, which were more of a promise from him to be together forever, through everything, than a show of his authority. The hold wasn’t too tight, but enough for him to feel my touch, the sweat slicking both our palms, seeping through us a warmth that at least kept me calm.
It was comforting yet possessing.
I slowly pulled my hand out of his grip, and he opened his palm wider, letting me. And when I looked at him, he didn’t look offended. Instead, he silently watched Princess Rudraja, stretching her tiny arms out toward the fire as if it could hold her like us. Ranaji immediately pulled her and settled her back on his lap.
Quietly, I took his hand in mine and traced the lines over his palm. It was rough, and the blisters on the knuckles had already healed. I gently rubbed my fingernail over the dead skin and peeled it off.
He peeked at me once but said nothing.
I slowly lifted his hand to my mouth and kissed his palm lightly. Looking up at him, I saw his lips curving into the faintest smile, and he asked,“Is it a yes?”
I nodded calmly. And as soon as I did, he gave a full-blown, stretchy smile and covered his face with his hands.
I chuckled at his antics.
Suddenly, Prince Ranvijay cleared his throat, and I pushed Kunwar-sa away, adjusting my dupatta.
I sat immobile until they had distributed prasaad after the hawan ended. Later, I tried to pull my hand away from his, and he glared at me with thinned brows.
