Page 183 of Twisted Sins

She nodded. “If you loved me so much, why did you choose to become a temple protector?”

His face darkened. “I didn’t choose it. My father did. I only dreamed of a life with you, but it was taken from me by my father.”

Nandini tried to look sympathetic. “That wasn’t fair,” she said softly. “Bhairav was a rebel who always clashed with your father. He wanted to change how the Kabali clan lived over the centuries. You were the good son who always did as your father asked. You should have been chosen as the clan head.”

She recalled what Skandamai and Girja had told her about Bhairav’s past.

Omakar’s face quivered at her words. “I know you would understand,” he said. “You were always kind and intelligent.”

She tried to smile even though she was terrified and disgusted.

She had to keep him talking and get his guard down. “Why did you take Goddess Shakti away from Singoor?” she asked.

She saw the shift in his eyes. “I—I needed to protect her. The oil wells had brought a lot of outsiders, and I knew there were plans by the others to take her, so I had to keep her safe.”

She knew he was lying and had deliberately stolen the Goddess Statue. But she didn’t oppose him.

“So, what did you do?” She could immediately see the gears turn in his head. “Where is Goddess Shakti now?”

His eyes brightened. “All these years, I had forgotten I gave her to traveling monks. But now, she is here. I brought her back to Singoor.”

“I knew you would be the savior of Singoor,” she said softly, although she was sure he had nothing to do with it. It had to be her brothers who located the Goddess Shakti statue.

“You will see her at your revival ceremony,” he said. “And our marriage will be in her presence.”

She drew in a slow breath and pasted a smile before looking at him. She had a tough time keeping her friendly expression as her mind raced to find ways to get out of there.

Or was it better to wait it out so Rudra and her brothers would have time to find her?

“Omkar, for the wedding ceremony… I would love my favorite flowers to offer to the Goddess.”

She held her breath as he looked at her for a long moment. Just when she thought he would fly into a rage for fooling him, he smiled.

“I will do anything your heart desires,” he said softly as he stood up.

More light from the lamp was cast on his face.

Her stomach twisted into a knot when her eyes fell on the man’s face, which was no longer covered in ash. His features were quite similar to Rudra's.

She knew he must be around fifty-five or sixty years old. But he seemed to go to great lengths to appear youthful.

Even though he was handsome and resembled the man she loved, she was creeped out by the sight of him.

She forced herself to smile.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the lotuses,” she said softly.

He nodded before stepping out of the tent.

As soon as he left, she let out a shuddering exhale and tried not to throw up.

CHAPTER 57

Early next morning, Nandini waited in the same tent after being told the memory revival ceremony and the marriage would be later that day. It was still dark as the sun had not risen.

She could not shut her eyes even for a second as she listened to the slightest of sounds that indicated the arrival of Rudra or her brothers.

She had somehow convinced Tantra that she was eager for the marriage like he was and that she looked forward to having her past life memories revived.

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