I looked at Kunwar Agastya, who was listening to her intently.
“I like that, simple, plain marriage,” he responded, looking longingly into nothing and then continued looking back at her.“It’s beautiful to learn about someone from the beginning and get to know them then,” he drawled, and I rolled my eyes.
Whatever he did was neither plain nor straightforward. How could he do that? I never understood which Agastya was the real one.
Suddenly, the princess whined, and they both turned to look at me. I rocked her gently, and Daadi-sa called out to me.
“Suman, come here, sit with me.”
I gulped quietly and glanced at him as he bit his lower lip with a slight smile.
I then walked silently toward her.
“Ji, Daadi-sa,” I said, and she softly tugged my hand to get me to sit beside her.
I nervously sat down on the couch with her, and suddenly, Kunwar Agastya got up.
“Aww, my baby,” he said, settling next to me.
Sitting between them with a baby in my hands, I felt uneasy.
“The man has come with Abhinandan,” Daadi-sa said.“He is in the army. He used to serve as my guard, too. You should meet him after the ceremony.”
I gulped nervously, hearing the fake laughter of Kunwar Agastya as his fingers grazed the baby’s hands.
“Hahaha, aww, my baby,” he cooed.“You’re so small. Do you want to meet your Kaaki-sa? Do you know who she is? Do you want to go to her?”
His words twisted my stomach, and I felt my cheeks burning with the heat of timidity. I gulped, looking at him, but he didn’t look at me.
“He is a good man, Suman,” Daadi-sa brought my attention back to her.“How long are you planning to be alone? You’re young, independent, and what’s even your age? It’s too soon to give up on life. You will meet him. Right? He’ll keep you happy.”
I nipped my lower lip and nodded hesitantly.“Ji, Ji, Daadi-sa,”
“Are you listening, baby? What are these two talking about? Daadi-sa is discussing her wedding? Do you want to attend her wedding? There will be a feast,” he blabbered like a baby, making me feel incredibly uncomfortable.
I turned to look at him, and he looked back at me. I subtly shook my head without making it evident to Daadi-sa.
“Alright, come to see me in my chamber after the ceremony,” Daadi-sa said, and I nodded weakly at her.
I tried to stand up, but he stopped me immediately.
“I’m still playing with my baby,” he pouted in front of me, while I sat silently.
“Alright, I’ll go see Abhi,” Daadi-sa said as she stood up.
I noticed him gently tickling the baby’s feet. She smiled in her sleep, and I glanced around at the attendants watching us. One was the same person who had caught us the other day. I felt stuck.
“Is Bhabhi-sa ready?” Suddenly, I heard Princess Aishwarya’s voice and immediately stood up from the couch. She smiled as she walked towards me and looked at the baby.
“She’s with Ranaji,” I said, as she took the princess from my hand.
“Oh my baby, how do you feel about this ceremony?” She playfully asked the baby.
I turned my gaze to Prince Agastya, who was staring at me blankly. I couldn’t be sure, but his eyes hinted he was upset.
He rolled his eyes, stood up, and walked away.
I gulped nervously, unsure of what to do. I couldn’t refuse Daadi-sa without a good reason, and bringing up what happened between us wasn’t a good reason either.
