I turned away from her, attempting to exchange smiles with Abhinandan, who returned the gesture while sitting across from me with Nandani Bhabhi-sa.
Meanwhile, Trisha and Nandani Bhabhi-sa were engaged in conversation.
Suman walked away to stand in the corner with the other attendants. Her expressionless face and lowered gaze created a knot in my stomach.
“Ugh…” I looked at Daadi-sa and then at everyone else.“I have to go. I need to finish some work. I’ll catch up with you all later,” I said, rising to excuse myself.
Bhabhi-sa stared at me in disbelief. As I was leaving, I noticed Aishwarya Bhabhi-sa and Ranvijay Bhai-sa entering.
“What happened?” Ranvijay Bhai-sa stopped me.
“Nothing. I need to take care of the decorations. I’ll join you later,” I explained, and he smiled.
“Alright,”
I spent the entire evening decorating Bhai-sa and Bhabhi-sa’s chamber. I didn’t do it alone; I managed everything—the flower selection, the curtains, the colours—all of it.
It looked beautiful. I felt happy and on cloud nine, but one face’s smile suddenly became crucial to me.
I wanted to ask her if something was wrong, but I couldn’t. Hope was the last thing I could offer her, especially after seeing how drained she seemed.
After finishing the garden and the sitting area where the main event would occur, I walked back to meet Rudra Bhai-sa and Bhabhi-sa before heading to my chamber.
The next day, I woke early to work at the entrance. I called for the helpers and started before anyone else woke up. I couldn’t sleep at all the night before.
My gaze fell on her as she worked nearby. She was carrying a plate of full colours, and my brows knitted in confusion, wondering what she would do with them.
She didn’t notice me standing in the corner as she walked past. She seemed lost. Her face looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes and apparent weakness.
“Here, this is for the Rangoli22,” she said, handing the plate to another attendant.
“But why? You make the best Rangoli. Why aren’t you making it?” the other one asked, to which she smiled and shook her head.
“I am… busy with other things,” she replied.
“What’s more important than making the Rangoli?” the attendant countered.
“I need to work in the kitchen before Nandani wakes up,” she explained, and my brows creased together in confusion.
“Kunwar-sa, where should we hang these red curtains?” A helper caught my attention, and I inhaled deeply, pointing to the top of the gallery.
“There, how many times should I tell you?”
I noticed her walk past me, glancing at me briefly. I immediately followed her.
“Suno,”(Hey.) I called, but she continued walking, ignoring me.
My eyes widened at her audacity.
“Hey,” I called again, quickening my pace, and she responded by walking even faster. I noticed a few attendants watching us. My jaw tightened.
“Hey,” I shouted again, almost marching a foot behind her, before she turned right and headed to the kitchen.
Noticing the deserted corner, I quickly positioned myself before her and looked into her eyes.
“Why are you running from me?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Why are you running after me?” she countered, inhaling deeply, a sign of her displeasure at my interruption.
