Page 150 of Twisted Sins

“Thank you for helping me,” said the woman.

“I’m Nandini,” she said.

The woman smiled. “Yes, I know you are Rudra’s wife,” she said. “You are as beautiful as you are brave and kind.”

Nandini noticed that the woman had a sprinkling of grey hair and seemed middle-aged. She also had a kind smile, which reminded Nandini of her mother.

“Thank you,” said Nandini. “Although what I did isn’t brave. I just did what was right. They have no right to disrespect you, especially the children, since you are their teacher.”

A sad look flickered on the woman’s face.

“The children are usually obedient, but sometimes they copy what they see and hear from the adults around them.”

Nandini wondered what the adults had against the sweet woman.

Just as she was about to ask, Uma tugged on her arm.

“Nandini,” Uma said urgently. “We must go to Skandamai now.”

Nandini sensed that Uma didn’t want to stay around the woman.

“Please go,” the woman said. “Skandamai will be available now. She will rest in the afternoon and evening before she begins the nightly prayers.”

Nandini nodded.

Just as she and Uma began walking away, Uma spoke urgently.

“That was Girja, whom you just helped!”

Nandini frowned, vaguely recalling the name. Uma had told her about a woman named Girja doing something that made people angry. But they couldn’t say anything because of Rudra.

“What did Girja do?” Nandini asked.

Uma looked uncomfortable. “Girja didn’t do anything…. it was Girja’s husband who did wrong.”

“What wrong did her husband do?”

Uma’s eyes fell. “It is forbidden to discuss about him. But you shouldn’t support Girja openly because people will not like you.”

Although Nandini did want to earn the respect of the Kabali clan, she didn’t want to do it at the cost of isolating an innocent woman. She was determined to extend her support and friendship to Girja, no matter what the woman’s husband had done.

Uma led her further down the training ground towards a small temple.

“That’s Skandamai’s house,” said Uma, pointing at a small home next to the temple.

“You don’t have to stay with me, Uma. I’ll meet Skandamai and return when I’m done.”

She didn’t know how long she’d stay to speak with the seer.

Uma looked uncertain. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I can find my way back. I remember the way.”

Uma nodded. “Alright, I’ll bring lunch to your room at noon.”

“Thank you.”

Thanking Uma, Nandini stepped into the seer’s home, which was surprisingly bigger inside than it looked from the outside. Just like in the tent, skulls lined a corner.

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