Page 173 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

I smiled, and we were locked in a tight hug the next second.“Aaaaaaa, I’m so happy!” I squealed in a hushed voice.

I knew I shouldn’t be this happy given everything going on, especially after what he had sacrificed for my brother and me. But still, I couldn’t help it. My heart was full.

Then suddenly… I felt wet around my thighs. I pulled back from the hug and glanced at Suman.

Standing up quickly, I slipped my hand inside my skirt and looked at the blood on the tip of my fingers.

“Urrrrghhhhhhh,” I groaned, feeling sick. Menstruation.

“I’ll get you the padding,” Suman said quickly, already moving.

I headed toward the bathing room, and she returned a few moments later. After adjusting the padding, tears welled in my eyes.

I didn’t want it in the middle of everything.

Dragging myself back to the bedroom, I collapsed onto the bed.And of course, the stomach cramps started.

Sometimes I wondered if my stomach actually saw the blood and decided,‘Alright, time to hurt.’Their timing was always too perfect.

“You rest here, I’ll bring you something warm to eat and drink,” Suman said sweetly, and I nodded.

Soon, I started feeling cold. Then—

“Aaaaaaaccccccchhiiiiiiiiiiiiii,” I sneezed loudly. Great. Cold too.

I buried myself under the comforters, resting my head against the pillow.

Suman returned with food and tried feeding me, but I was already feverish, dizzy, and nauseous. By nightfall, it had worsened.

The whole day had passed like a blur, me lying half-dead, energy leaking out of my body.

“Nandani,” the Voice of My Beloved travelled down my ear, and I opened my eyes to find him standing by the bed, removing his overcoat. He sat beside me, gently placing his hand on my forehead.

“Seems like you’re in pain,” he murmured.

I took a shaky breath and nodded.“Menstruation,”

“And… cold too?” he asked. I nodded again.“Did you eat anything?”

I tried to speak.“Yes… I ate in the morning…”

He furrowed his brows.“Morning?” he repeated, clearly not pleased. Suddenly, he stood up and clapped twice. An attendant entered the room.“Bring dinner for us,” he ordered.

The attendant bowed and left. I watched as he walked into the bathroom.

After a while, he returned, freshly bathed, holding a bowl of warm water and a soft cloth. He placed them on the side table, then sat down beside me.

Sliding his hand gently under my head and holding my arm for support, he helped me sit up and adjusted the pillows behind me.

A small cry escaped my lips. The pain was worse; the previous night’s exhaustion, mixed with today’s discomfort, had drained every ounce of strength from me.

He softly tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.“Come, let me help you freshen up,” he said.

Dipping the cloth in the warm water, he wrung it out and gentlyrubbed it against my cheek. The warmth was soothing, and a tiny breath of relief escaped me. I kept my eyes on him as he moved with care, wiping my cheeks, forehead, arms, and hands. I had already removed all my jewellery, not wanting to feel suffocated.

And then my gaze drifted to the attendants walking in with the dinner.

“Bring it here,” he instructed, and they obeyed, placing everything beside the bed.

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