He seemed to have long gone, but the smile he left on my lips stayed.
“Suman,” Just then, Nandani’s voice reached me. I inclined my head slightly toward the doorway with a smile.
She entered the chamber and sat beside me on the bed.
“We’re all thinking of doing Devi Pooja today to begin the rituals before Ranaji and Prince Ranvijay leave,” she said, and I nodded.
She stood up, about to leave, but I immediately caught her wrist. Kneeling on the bed, I pulled her into a tight hug.
“Hey, what happened?” she asked, rubbing my back.
I inhaled heavily.
“Thank you so much, Nandani, for being there for me every time,” I muttered.“Honestly, I know I mess things up often, yet you didn’t leave me.”
I pulled away and looked at her.
“You know, every Suman who’s full of doubts, insecurities, self-hatred, and trauma needs a confident, fierce, and powerful Nandani who always has her back.”
I hugged her again and added,“Thank you so much, Nandani, for coming into my life. I kept searching for goodness in my parents, my previous in-laws, and my dead husband, but in reality, you were my saviour. Without you, I might never have known there was still hope, that there are good people in the world.”
I paused, inhaling deeply.
“I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you so much.”
She tightened the hug before pulling away with a frown.
“Are you going somewhere?”
My brows creased.“No.”
“Then why are you giving a goodbye speech, silly girl?” she asked, cradling my cheeks gently.“Come, everyone’s waiting for you. You should get ready.”
I chuckled, shaking my head, and went toward the bathing chamber.
“By the way,” I stopped mid-step at her voice and turned to her.“What was Agastya doing here last night? Did you two…” she pointed her fingers together.
“No…” I quickly shook my head.“We just slept.”
“Oh, I see. So… was it good?” she pressed again.
I rolled my eyes, stepping ahead.
“No, we’re not talking about this,” I said.
“Why not?” She asked, chuckling.“I want to know how your first time with a person who loves you and whom you love will be.”
I turned around and replied,“Well… I’ll tell you once we do it.”
“Great,” she grinned, walking by my side.“That’s like my friend and would-be sister-in-law,”
We both went to the bathing chamber, where she helped me undress. My eyes then fell on the bright red bruise around my nipple, and instinctively, I glanced at Nandani, who was staring at the same spot.
As her eyes widened in wonder, I quickly covered the bruise with my hands, and she burst out laughing.
“Something is wrong with these brothers,” she said through laughter.“They’re suckers for nipples.”
I turned away from her.
