“Yes, only if a small group is eating, not when the people of one hundred and nine villages are going to feast,” I replied.
He smiled.“You’re so smart. I thought you’d be dumb,”
I inhaled deeply.“I’m delighted to know that there is a shift in your perception about me,” I mumbled, and he stared deeply into my eyes for a few moments before responding in a similarly slow tone.
“Want to know about any other changes?” he asked.
I sighed, rolled my eyes, and returned to assigning everyone their duties for the day.
Finally, when I was done, I told all the attendants to take a break since no one had slept.
However, I realised Nandani had welcomed her daughter, and we still hadn’t had the sweets.
I watched Prince Agastya leave with a few cooks and attendants toward the storeroom while I took out a pot to makekheer(a sweet dish).
I worked on a small stove to avoid looking at the fire, since it was just for family members.
After boiling the rice in the milk, I made the kheer and garnished it with dried fruits. I served five bowls for Ranaji, Nandani, Prince Ranvijay, Princess Aishwarya, and the youngest Prince, Kunwar Agastya.
I walked into Nandani’s chamber and noticed her sitting with Princess Aishwarya. The baby struggled to latch onto her nipple. She looked hungry, but it seemed difficult for the little princess to grasp her mother’s nipple.
Nandani raised her gaze as I approached with the plate.
“Since it’s a celebration, we shouldn’t set the sweets aside,” I said, smiling.
Princess Aishwarya stood up.“I will take the first bite,” she said excitedly, picking up the bowl.
I smiled at her and sat beside Nandani. As I looked at the baby, I felt I would never experience the feeling of holding my baby in my hands.
Some things are just not meant for you.
“She’s struggling,” I mumbled, and Nandani nodded, lifting her gaze to meet mine.
“She is,” Nandani said, looking back at me.“Here, Suman, take your baby in your arms. You cared for her better than I did to bring her into this world.”
She placed the baby in my hands.
The baby opened her eyes and looked at me, distressed, which made me chuckle.
“She craves your scent, Nandani,” I said.“Children recognise their mother’s scent from the womb and seek it immediately after birth,” Leaning in, I kissed her forehead.“May God bless her with all the happiness and love a girl deserves,” I added, returning her to Nandani.
Nandani once again put the nipple in her mouth and pressed her breasts, as the physician had taught her. Once the baby started tasting, she learned.
I smiled, and a tear of joy rolled down my cheek.
“You should rest now, Jiji,” Princess Aishwarya said, and Nandani nodded.
“I’ll take the bowl for Hukum,” she added, taking another bowl. I smiled at her as she left.
Setting another bowl for Ranaji next to Nandani’s on the bed, I said,“I’ll send Ranaji in.”
Nandani smiled and nodded.“And you should rest too, now,” she said, and I leaned in to kiss her forehead.
“You need rest, Rani-sa,” I reminded her. She chuckled, realising the deeper meaning behind my addressing her with her formal title.
I took the plate with the last bowl and left her chamber. On the way, I saw Ranaji talking with the physician.
“Ranaji, Rani-sa is asking for you,” I informed politely, and he smiled.
