“How is Bhabhi-sa now?” Ranvijay Bhai-sa asked.
“Weak and in pain,” she replied, before walking away.
“Agastya, instruct everyone in the kitchen to prepare sweets for the entire kingdom, comprising all one hundred and nine villages, and Ranvijay, dispatch invitations to all our allied kingdoms and arrange a grand feast for the sixth day,” Rudra Bhai-sa commanded, and we both nodded in agreement.
“But, Bhai-sa, you know I’m not very good with ingredients,” I said,“I mean, I could use some help.”
He turned his gaze to my half-wife and called,“Suman,”
She looked at us and came running.“Ji, Ranaji,”
“Go with Kunwar Agastya,” he ordered.“Help him make the list of ingredients needed and take care of the preparations for the sweets.”
I noticed her eyes widen at the mention of my name, and I couldn’t help but bite my lip slightly, suppressing a smile.
“But, Ranaji, Rani-sa might need me. Should I send someone else?” she asked.
Bhai-sa shook his head.“I’m here with her, and I’ll send the message if she asks for you. The sweets are important.”
She nodded immediately.“Yes, Ranaji,” she bowed while glaring at me.
It was a double celebration for me: first, for the girl, and second, for winning the bet.
“Let’s go,” I said, but she walked past me without sparing me a glance. I nodded at Bhai-sa, and he smiled in return.
I walked away and noticed her hurrying to the kitchen.
“Ab bhaag kyun rahi ho?”“Why are you running now?” I called.
?????
7. Suman
Iwas trying to walk as fast as I could. His footsteps trailed behind me at the same pace.
What the hell just happened?
A girl?
How could I have had such bad luck in just a month?
No, the girl wasn’t the misfortune; my choice was indeed one. But I didn’t agree to the bet.
Yes, I did not. I did. Ugh... But I didn’t respond to him either.
“Why are you running?” I heard his voice, and a shiver ran down my spine. I took a deep breath, trying to focus on reaching the kitchen while ignoring him, but with his long legs, he quickly caught up to me.
As we moved through the less crowded, empty corridor, with all the attendants rushing joyfully, he said,“Don’t worry, I’m in no rush. You can take your time.”
The hidden meaning behind his words, the teasing, made me take a deep breath and look at him, momentarily pausing my feet.
“It’s wrong; you’re getting married in just four months,” I mumbled.
Fear surged through me as he inhaled deeply and suddenly stepped forward. I instinctively stepped back, glancing around.
With another step closer, I felt my back hit the wall behind me. I shifted nervously from one foot to the other, watching him approach, erasing the two-foot distance between us.
My voice turned shaky when I asked,“What are you doing, Kunwar-sa? Someone will see us.”
