Following my gaze, he finally noticed everyone standing there. His eyes widened slightly, and he immediately tugged his skirt down and sat up straight.
“What the hell are you all doing in my chamber?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.
“Let’s go, Nandani,” Rani-maa said firmly.“We’ll come back later.”
Kunwar-sa leaned forward and noticed Nandani on the floor, clutching her stomach in laughter.
“What the heck are you doing down there, Bhabhi-sa?” he asked, chuckling.
That only sent her into another fit of laughter.
“Oh my God, Agastya,” she gasped.“What are you wearing?”
He glanced down at himself and smiled faintly.
“Oh, this?” he said casually, pulling his sleeve back up. His voice shifted smoothly into a playful, feminine tone.“Suman was feeling low yesterday, so I thought of cheering her up. I also wanted to understand how heavy all these clothes and ornaments actually are.”
Nandani slowly stopped laughing and stood up.
“And honestly,” he continued calmly,“you all have my deepest respect. People often underestimate what women do, what they endure, and how much discomfort they quietly bear just to keep men happy. You, women, deserve all the appreciation, Bhabhi-sa.”
Her smile faded, replaced with surprise. She wiped the tears from her cheeks, staring at him.
I watched in awe as, in a moment where people could have mocked him endlessly, he turned the entire situation into something meaningful, earning respect instead. Clever. Very much.
“That’s true,” Nandani said softly.“Thank you for saying that. Even Ranaji has never spoken like this. It actually feels nice. And… it’s touching to see that you made the effort to understand what your wife will go through after marriage.”
He smiled in response.
“But you do know,” Princess Aishwarya interrupted,“that you can’t sleep with Suman anymore until the wedding.”
He nodded immediately and stood up.
“Ji, Bhabhi-sa. Until the wedding ceremony, my wife is yours. Please take care of her.”
He bent down respectfully, touching Daadi-sa’s and Rani-maa’s feet, then Nandani’s and Princess Aishwarya’s as well. Leaning closer to Nandani, he whispered,
“Bhabhi-sa, bas Bhai-sa ko iski bhanak bhi na pade.”“Bhabhi-sa, just don’t let Bhai-sa know about this.”
She laughed softly and nodded.“I can keep this a secret.”
“But I can’t promise anything,” Princess Aishwarya added lightly.
He sighed dramatically.“Yes, Bhabhi-sa, I know you can’t keep secrets from him. You can tell him.”
“Thank goodness,” she muttered.
I laughed softly as he left the chamber.
Everyone turned to look at me.
I realised my blouse was in place. He must’ve fixed it before falling asleep.
“What?” I asked innocently, and that was it. We all burst into laughter.
Later that day, they interrogated me about why he had worn the lehenga. I repeated the extended, fancy lie he had prepared.
After bathing, prayers, and breakfast, the first day of the Haldi ceremony began.
