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Abhinandan POV

As Maasa suggested, I excused myself and made my way towards my father's chamber. Since he was resting, I was asked to look into the matters at the court.

But, I could not sit on the throne until the King stayed alive.

"Pranam, Baapusa," I wished him as soon as I stepped into his chamber. He looked up from a scroll and smiled wide.

"A letter from your Bua-sa," he said, and a smile appeared on my face, too.

"Everything is alright?" I asked, sitting beside him and holding his hand. He nodded.

"There is good news," he said and forwarded the letter towards me.

"Your brother is getting married," he said, and my eyes lit up immediately.

"So soon?" That was my first reaction. I mean, they just arrived at Nandani's wedding, and it would be only a week or two since they would have reached the Sultanate," I explained and looked at the scroll.

"Oh! It says in three months," I smiled.

"Indeed, good news," I said, and Baapusa straightened up a little and placed his hand on my shoulder. I was sitting on the bed's edge. I could feel his fingers shaking out of weakness.

"By the way, you wanted to talk about something with me," he said, and I looked away for a moment before a smile spread across my face.

"Whatever I wish to talk about is your daughter-in-law's idea. And, when you listen to it, you will be amazed," I said, almost guaranteeing it, and he lifted his left brow.

"What is it?" he asked, and I shifted a little and looked at him.

"She said that our soldiers and staff are demotivated by continuous work. She and I believe that, just like us, if soldiers stay either close to their families or are given leave often, they will be more happy to serve," I suggested, and he stared blankly at me without any expression.

"This will get costly, and it will make soldiers soft, too. Like families are comfort and wars are nothing but comfort," he said in his low and weak voice, and I shook my head.

"Families remind us of our purpose and motive, of why we need to be alive and survive amid any condition. And without families, the soldiers are nothing but puppets. Imagine not knowing how old your children are. I mean, you could not bear your son away from you for months, but some men never know how their sons look," I tried to say, and he lowered his gaze.

"Abhinandan, the thought you and Trishalini have is indeed a great one, but our taxes are low, people are comfortable, and we are short on funds, too. Imagine recruiting new people just because the previous one has to enjoy the holidays. We are on the tip of the ice, making money and spending it. We are currently not accumulating anything, so if you wish to implement this, think of something for the revenue first," he said, and I lowered my gaze.

"Oh," I said, and he placed his hand on my shoulder and patted a little.

"I believe in you. Just like you have a good vision, which indeed thinks of families, you will find good additional sources for the funds, too," he said, and I looked up at him.

"You think it is a good vision?" I asked, unable to believe that he was not speaking against it.

"Of course. You are to be the King after me. Your vision will become the history one day. And people will remember it," he said, and I smiled weakly.

"It's Trisha who told me about it. And I think she should be given credit for it. You spoke of her being unfit to become the Queen. See, your son is nothing in front of her," I said, unable to stop myself, and he chuckled a little.

"Ever thought of telling her this directly?" he asked, and I knit my brows.

"What do you mean?" I asked, and he licked his lip a little before closing his eyes for a moment to inhale deeply. He must be feeling burdened while breathing.

"I mean, you keep proving that how she is the one who should be liked by everyone. How about you tell her first how much you like her?" he said, and I immediately lowered my gaze, feeling shy all of a sudden.

"Umm," I hummed. The memory of trying to tell her that I liked her was something that made me feel something in my heart and stomach. For a moment, I thought she would make fun of me or maybe say nothing in reply. And, somewhere in both, it happened.

"She knows," I tried to say.

"Does she?" he asked, and I looked up at him and nodded.

"Then why was she getting married to someone else?" he asked, and I looked away.

"I do not know," I said. The conversation was making me feel awkward, but there was something I wished to ask.

"Baapusa, can I ask you something?" I asked, looking at him. I could feel my cheek warming up with the awkwardness and embarrassment, and he nodded.

"Feel free to ask," he said, picking up the slice of a distinct fruit that physicians had suggested for him.

I inhaled deeply.

"Do you think it's natural whatever happens between a couple?" I tried to ask, but he immediately closed his eyes.

"I knew it. I knew it," he said and shook his head. "Tell me you are Abhishree's son without telling me that you are Abhishree's son," he said, and I knit my brows.

"What do you mean?" I asked, and he opened his eyes before smiling.

"Nothing," he said, and I lowered my gaze.

"Well, I can answer if you will be a little specific," he said, and I bit on my lip.

"You want me to be specific about it?" I asked, and he nodded.

"At least vaguely specific?" he suggested, and I nodded.

"Umm, I mean, you see, the relationship between a couple is more like two people staying together. And... and, sometimes, you laugh, and sometimes, you feel sad. An... and, what if it hurts?" I could not stop myself, so he lowered his gaze.

"It hurts?" he nodded. "It hurts a little. Well, unless it's anything else, it does hurt but must not hurt too much that one would faint. An... and, it should be more like good. Are you getting me?" he answered, and I looked up at him.

"Good?" I asked, and he looked away for a moment.

"Well, you see," he said and then turned silent. "I think you should meet a few of your married friends," he suggested, and I knit my brows.

"You are married, and you always told me to take you as your friend," I said, and he nodded.

"I am, but—"

"But what?" I asked, and he smiled.

"Well, it does hurt, and you see, if... if the couple feels right, they should continue," he said, and I knit my brows with more confusion.

"Continue what?" I asked, and he widened his eyes a little.

"Well, you know what happens?" he asked, and I nodded.

"Yes, much is told in the educational institutions you jailed me in," I said, shaking my head a little. "Is there more to know?" I asked, and he nodded slightly and confusedly.

"Well, they only teach the basics, so I suppose you are missing the part where it gets intense?" he asked, and I responded. "Intense?"

"Like the one of us getting faint out of fear?" I asked, wondering if my getting faint was the true meaning of intense.

He immediately shook his head. "No," he exclaimed.

"Maharaj!" suddenly, an attendee's voice caught our attention, and we both looked at him.

"The sweet dish has arrived," he said, and I looked at the lady attendee walking in with a plate with two bowls of Kheer.

"I would not eat. Take mine back," I said, and my father immediately interrupted.

"It's made by Trisha," he said, and I looked at him with shock.

"Why? Why is she cooking?" I asked and signalled the attendees to bring those here.

"This is ritual. It's her first kitchen ritual. The new brides are meant to cook something sweet for the family," he said, and I nodded.

"Oh," I muttered.

"Maharaj! This one is without sugar," The attendee pointed at the left bowl, and I picked it up to serve him.

"Thank you," I muttered and wished the attendees to leave at once.

And once they did, I looked at my father, wishing him to continue.

"How about you ask Prince Ranvijay?" he asked, and I knit my brows.

"He is not married. How would he know more than I know? We both studied at the same place," I said, and he nodded.

"Stubborn child," he muttered. He lifted his bowl in his hand, and I picked mine. I looked down at the bowl, and his voice caught my attention.

"You see when you get into the act, you feel restraint—"

"Restraint?" I asked.

"Let me complete," he immediately cut me off. When you get closer, you will feel a little bit or maybe more restrained. So, try to breathe and look at your partner's face when you do. Her eyes will tell you everything if she does not," he said, and I knit my brows.

"Like what?" I asked, and he sighed deeply.

"Like if she wants you to go ahead," he said, and I took a sip of Kheer.

"Go ahead?" I asked, and he looked into my eyes.

"Like until she asks you to stop," he said, and I immediately lowered the bowl to the plate as I remembered that she did not ask me to stop.

"But what if she feels hurt?" I asked, and he lowered his gaze.

"It's your job to make her feel at ease," he said, and I knit my brows.

"How?" I asked.

"How about you try loving her with your heart and soul? You will find out," he said, and I nodded.

"Babies happen with love?" I asked, and he looked up at me.

"Babies should happen only out of love," he said, and I nodded confusedly.

"Oh," I said, and I noticed that he had tasted the Kheer.

Nothing he said made quite sense to me. I did not know what he exactly wanted to say. I just wanted to know what I did wrong, but I could not think of how to actually explain it.

Or maybe I just should not explain it.

"It's delicious," he said, and I nodded.

"It is," I agreed, and he asked all of a sudden.

"You love her, right?" his words immediately made me look up at him.

I stared blankly at him. I did not know, but knowing she was my wife now, I could not shake my head. So, I nodded slowly.

"I do," I muttered.

He smiled.

"She is a blessing for you," he said, and a smile appeared on my lips.

"You seem even more sick now," I teased him, and he laughed all of a sudden but began coughing.

"Baapusa!" I immediately kept the bowl back on the plate and straightened him to rub his back.

"I am okay," he said, and suddenly the door knocked before Nandani walked in.

"I was looking for both of you," she said with a wide smile, and I looked at her.

"Why are you dressed so Queenly?" I asked, watching her ascend the stairs while she stared at them before looking up.

"I am going back," she said, and I immediately shook my head.

"So soon?" I asked and sat back once my father was at ease again.

"Yes," she said, sitting beside me and holding Baapusa's other hand.

"Prince Ranvijay's wedding is around the corner, so I must fulfil my responsibilities," she said, and Baapusa placed his hand on hers.

"Someone is becoming sensible," he said, and Nandani smiled weakly before hugging him. The tears rolled down her cheek, and suddenly, she burst into little cries.

"Is he not keeping you happy?" he asked, and she chuckled all of a sudden.

"He does. You will know if it does not," she said in her breaking voice, and I stared at her confusedly. Why did she marry him if she was to cry now?"

"God Bless you. And I am waiting to see my grandchild soon," my father and she lowered her gaze. She turned timid.

"I should leave now, Baapusa," she said and stood up from his side.

"Let me walk you out," I said, and she smiled before nodding.

I nodded at Baapusa and joined her to walk out. She wiped her tears and looked at me.

"So, when you will be back?" I asked, and she lifted her gaze.

"Like you miss me," she teased me, and I could not help but smile weakly.

"Of course I do," I said, stepping closer to hug her loosely. I did not like hugging much, but at this moment, just after seeing her cry, I did.

I walked with her to the kingdom's exit. Trisha, Maasa, and Daadisa joined us, too. I found Ranvijay waiting for her with a huge convoy and a palanquin.

Trisha walked to us once we walked closer. "I will wait for you at the feast. Please come a little early so we can talk," she said, and Nandani nodded before hugging her. Trisha hugged her, too, and I just stood with my arms crossed over my chest.

Women are the most confusing creatures God ever made. No one can ever understand what she thinks, feels, and wants to say.

At this moment, I was looking at four such creatures. One, the oldest one, was faking her tears or maybe wishing all of this would wrap up soon so she could sit and rest.

The real was talking to her daughter, asking her to be responsible and giving her Queenly suggestions.

And my wife was adjusting to all of these—just because I wanted her to be with me.

And suddenly, something hit me when she smiled weakly, looking at my sister walking away. She looked beautiful. Out of nowhere, she just lifted her gaze to me and signalled me to look at my sister. I immediately realised that Nandani was leaving, so I went to help her walk to the palanquin. Ranvijay came to meet me.

"Thank you so much for your kind hospitality," he said, and I hugged him loosely.

"I will be waiting for you at the celebration feast. I am sorry I could not have time to talk to you," I said, and he shook his head with a smile.

"No worries. It's your golden time; spend it well with your beloved wife," he said, and I smiled before nodding.

I cleared my throat before saying. "Wish wellness to Rudra,"

He smiled widely and nodded. "I will," he said.

I saw them leaving and inhaled deeply. They would return in just two days.

I turned around to look at my Maasa and Daadisa, who were washing their tears, and Trisha was standing silently.

Walking towards them, I hugged both my Maasa and Daadisa, and they hugged me too.

"She will be back in two days only," I said, and they nodded.

And, suddenly, my Maasa pulled back and looked at Trisha.

"You two must visit Guruji today. Since the feast is around, stay for a night there and bring Trisha back tomorrow before the fall," she said, and I nodded calculatingly.

This was getting hectic.

I did not expect there would be many things after the wedding.

"Trisha," Maasa looked at her and then looked at me. "Abhinan, have breakfast and then change," she said, and I looked at Trisha.

"It's in Abhinandan's chamber today," Maasa said to Trisha, and a wide smile appeared on my face, which I tried to hide from my Daadisa.

"And I am joining you," she immediately said, and I closed my eyes.

"You are not, Daadisa," I said, and suddenly, Trisha walked towards Daadisa and said.

"I would love to, Daadisa," she said and turned to look at Maasa, too. "Please, Maasa, join us too," she said, and I looked at my Maasa, who was looking at me, and then suddenly, she agreed.

"Alright," she said, looking at Trisha and then me. But I have one condition," she added.

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