Because the soul is a droplet of the divine ocean, it can never be impure.
“Come on, let’s complete the remaining ritual,” Nandani’s voice drew my attention, and I smiled.
Along with the rest of the family, we were led to the guest room of our chamber, where a large bowl filled with milk and rose petals had been placed.
“You both need to sit facing each other,” Badi-maa instructed, and I did as I was told.
Kunwarsa suddenly chuckled and glanced at Princess Aishwarya.
“Do you remember this, Bhabhi-sa?” he asked.
She laughed, and Nandani joined in. I, too, recalled the same ritual from Princess Aishwarya’s wedding.
“So, you already know this,” Badi-maa said.“Agastya has witnessed it before, and Suman, you must have seen it during Aishwarya’s wedding as well. I will drop a ring into the bowl of milk. Whoever finds it first will have the upper hand in decision-making and over the other person.”
I gulped, staring at Kunwar-sa.
“Be careful, Suman,” Nandani warned.“He must not win.”
“Nandani,” Ranaji interjected,“you ruined Ranvijay’s post-marital rituals too with your foolish advice. Keep it to yourself.”
Kunwarsa laughed.
“Don’t worry, Bhai-sa. I won’t let her win. You’ve already surrendered yourself to Bhabhi-sa, and Ranvijay Bhai-sa lost everything to Aishwarya Bhabhi-sa as well. I won’t let men’s power go in vain.”
I knitted my brows.
“Excuse me,” Prince Ranvijay interrupted,“we lost nothing to our wives. You should worry about yourself instead. Suman, you don’t know what all he’s done to win your heart.”
Kunwar-sa’s eyes widened instantly, and he fell silent.
A look of confusion crossed my face.
“She knows,” he said, and everyone laughed.
“You two should begin,” Badi-maa instructed.
I looked at him. He was already staring at me with a wide smile playing on his lips. The moment Badi-maa dropped the ring into the bowl and stirred it, we both plunged our hands inside.
“Taaaaaattttttaaaaaaaaa!” Princess Rudraja squealed as she crawled forward.
We both smiled at her.
“No, papaya. I have to find the ring. You can’t help me with this,” Kunwar-sa said.
Just then, the curly-haired little boy toddled over and sat beside her.
“Anghoothi dhoondni hai?”“Want to find the ring?” he asked in his childish voice, making everyone laugh.
When he dipped his hand into the bowl, Princess Rudraja followed suit, but instead of helping, she began slapping the milk. Droplets splashed onto our faces, and Kunwar-sa clicked his tongue.
“Pumpkin!” he called out.
She let out a delighted giggle.
At the sight of her smile, his fleeting annoyance melted away, and he smiled back at her.
“We have to find the ring,” he said gently, showing her one from his other hand, trying to explain.
