Hey bhagwaan!!!

I mentally smacked my forehead. Why, God, why? Why was I sofoolish to forget to remove my anklets?

My fingers shivered in fear, and if I had stopped, he would’ve sensed that something was suspicious.

And so I chose to keep walking, fisting my palms, when suddenly,“Wait!” He enunciated firmly, and my whole body visibly shook at his tone.

Dead, you're dead, Nandani!My insides shrieked in terror, and my knees weakened at the very thought that he probably recognised us.

“Keep going,” Agastya mumbled under his breath, and we both kept walking at a normal pace, even though our bodies were quivering in fright.

“I said, wait!”

Sweat beaded on my forehead, running down the side of my face. With wobbly lips, I breathed,“Should we escape?” Heat raced up my cheeks when I heard his heavy footsteps striding closer.

Suddenly, Agastya turned back and approached him, with his palms adjoined,“Kshama kijiyega Ranaji, kintu humse koi bhool hui hai kya?”(Apologies, your majesty, but have we done something wrong?) It was audacious of him to ask that question, in an oh so courteous tone.

But when I turned around, I didn't find Agastya standing near Rudra; instead, I found him on his knees at Rudra’s feet. My mouth hung open when I saw him clinging to Rudra’s legs, feigning tears, as if he were wailing for his dear life, and what flabbergasted me was his acting, which seemed absolutely real.

I glanced up at him fearfully. His hands were folded over his chest, and anger was evident on his face. Suddenly, twisting Agastya’s ear, he raised him to his feet and grabbed him by his nape tightly, pulling him closer.

“She is your wife?” He emphasized‘your wife’in an anguished tone, and I looked at Agastya’s petrified face.

He frantically shook his head in denial and quavered anxiously,“No, no, no, Bhaisa. It was her idea,”He pointed his finger in my direction, and I looked down.That was it. I'm done.

“What idea?” He asked, frowning at him. I could feel his eyes on me.

“And you, go back to your chamber and wait for me,” he said, snapping his fingers at me, and an instant wave of fury washed over me. I immediately lifted my veil and questioned,

“Why?” he looked at me angrily and yelled,“What, why?” Inhaling a deep breath, I braced myself and said,“I want to go out with Devarsa.” he glowered at me intensely.

“What did you say?” he asked, looking at Agastya.“What were you two planning? And how dare you call my wife yours?” And there, I could say he was jealous.

Agastya shook his head, appearing fearful.“Bhaisa, she bribed me to do so. She wanted to go out, but I warned her that it was a terrible, terrible idea.” He updated him on the information.

I exhaled sharply.“Really, Agastya? Didn't we have a deal?” I asked, and Rudra directed his attention to me.

“What deal?” Seizing the opportunity, Agastya sneakily slipped away from his hold, slowly retreating his steps. He fled. Rudra tried to catch him, but he was fast enough to escape. I just stood there, blankly, not knowing what to do.

“You, come with me, little troublemaker.” He dragged me along by my wrist.

“Ranaji, I want to go out,” but he paid no heed to my pleas, which riled me up.

As soon as we reached our bedroom, he went ballistic and snapped at me in a thunderous voice,“What the hell were you trying to do?” His assertive behavior was getting on my nerves.

“I want to go out,” I spat back and headed for the door, making an effort to leave, but he forcibly yanked me back, crashing me against his chest, and locked the door. Hovering over me, he clamped onto my neck, hindering my breathing.

“How dare you?” He growled, but I immediately pushed him away with all my force, gasping for air.

“NO, HOW DARE YOU?” I roared back at him with equal fervour. He stepped forward and, holding my wrists, he twisted my arm behind me.

“Anger. Down. Now,” He spoke, gnashing his teeth.

With the same intensity in my voice and eyes, I looked at him straight and gritted,“Leave. My. Hand. Now,”

Clenching his jaw firmly, he, in a rage, held my jaw with his other hand in a rugged grip.“How dare you let him call you your wife?” he asked, his eyes glowering with an ire so fervent. Yet, taking the chance, I bit down hard on his thumb, close to my lips.

He hissed at the sudden move and sucked on his thumb to soothe the pain.