Page 188 of Twisted Sins

At the center of it was the Goddess Shakti statue.

The sight was mesmerizing, something the Thakvar brothers and Rudra wouldn’t ever forget.

One of the monks spoke. “It had been thirty years since my master was given the responsibility to keep her safe.”

“A temple protector told us the Goddess was in danger of being taken away and that we should take her with us when my master and his disciples visited Singoor. He promised to return for the Goddess when the unrest settled but never came. My master was told not to trust anyone else from Singoor other than the man in grey eyes.”

Rudra nodded and stepped forward. “My name is Rudra Kabali. I’m the Kabali heir and the clan leader, and it is my honor to take the Goddess back to where she belongs.

The Thakvar brothers watched as Rudra stepped into the pond before stepping under the waterfall.

A moment later, he stepped out holding the Goddess Shakti statue in his hands.

***

Holy land temple,

Singoor desert.

Everyone from the entire Singoor region was gathered outside the Singoor temple.

They waited in anticipation for Goddess Shakti to be brought back to the Singoor temple.

The people of Singoor looked up at the sky when they heard the whirring sound of the chopper with the Thakvar insignia descending at a distance. A sudden silence fell over the crowd as Rudra got out of the helicopter, holding Goddess Shakti's statue in his hands.

Sounds of drums and conch shells filled the air as Rudra and the Thakvar brothers walked toward the temple. Although it was a celebration, Rudra’s chest felt hollow due to Nandini's glaring absence.

Taking a deep breath, he kept his eyes on the Goddess Shakti statue as he handed it to the Thakvar clan daughters-in-law, Ishani, Gauri, and Aadhya.

But another set of feminine hands reached for the Goddess. Shocked, he looked up to lock his gaze with Nandini’s.

She had been hit by a poison dart, sending her into a coma from which she had only woken up just before they left for the Tibetan monastery. The doctors had advised her to rest.

But his stubborn wife, as usual, must have ignored the advice to attend the important ceremony. He decided to scold her later.

Her mouth curved, sensing his thoughts.

Her smile lit up his heart, and he felt the heaviness of her absence leave his heart.

Shortly after, the temple and surrounding areas blared with celebratory sounds as the Goddess Shakti statue was finally home after thirty years.

It was a day of redemption and hope for everyone in Singoor.

EPILOGUE

Kabali mansion,

Singoor desert.

Rudra was talking to his warriors, instructing them on what was needed to be done in the next few days while he was away to the holy land.

Suddenly, there was a loud sound of cheers and a commotion from his people.

Rudra turned to see what was happening.

“Thakvar tigress…” one of his warriors said with pride.

It was Nandini. She was riding a horse while a trained eagle sat on her hand.

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