Page 158 of Twisted Sins

The sun had risen by the time they returned to the mansion and their bedroom. Lowering her on the bed, he began to get ready.

She watched as the man who played beautiful music once again became the fearsome leader of the Kabali clan. But her heart continued to race as she was drawn to every aspect of her demon husband.

***

Later in the morning, Nandini went to meet Girja.

Nandini wanted to know more about what happened in the past, especially on the night when Rudra’s parents were killed.

Girja was in the school, but thankfully not in the classroom.

“Can I talk to you about something?” Nandini asked.

Girja must have sensed that the conversation would be something that couldn’t be discussed in the school.

“I’ll ask someone to cover for me today,” the older woman said. “We can go to Skandamai’s home.”

Nandini wondered why Girja wanted to go to the seer’s home.

“It’s better if you aren’t seen with me,” Girja said softly. “The clan likes you and has accepted you.”

Nandini wanted to argue, but she nodded, knowing Girja would feel comfortable if they spoke away from people’s disapproving gaze.

They walked to the seer’s home.

When they stepped in, Skandamai was meditating. But as soon as she sensed their presence, the old woman opened her eyes.

“Ah, the Thakvar tigress wants to know more about the past.”

Nandini knew the seer must have guessed since it was the only reason Girja came along.

“Yes,” Nandini replied. “I want to know what happened on the night of the attack.”

The seer looked at her. “The Kabali heir passed an order to his people to not discuss the past.”

“I’m his wife,” Nandini replied with a slight raise of chin. “And you have broken that order several times too, Skandamai.”

The old woman’s eyes twinkled in amusement at Nandini’s remark. “Yes, I did. I’m glad that prompted the Thakvar tigress to embrace destiny.”

Nandini still wasn’t comfortable with the word destiny when it came to her marriage or what she felt towards her demon husband.

She sat down, and Girja sat opposite her.

“You must have already heard that my husband Bhalla stole Goddess Shakti's statue.”

Nandini nodded. She also knew Girja’s husband had brutally killed Rudra’s uncle, who was trying to protect the goddess statue in the temple.

“I was seven months pregnant at that time,” said Girja. “And due to the shock, my son was born early.”

Nandini was shocked because she hadn’t heard of Girja having a son.

“Everyone in the clan hated me except for Bhairav and Radha. Even though I was the wife of a thief and murderer, Bhairav and Radha didn’t outcast me like the rest of the clan. They brought me and my infant son into their home and offered me protection. Three years later, Rudra was born. My son became his playmate, and I became Rudra’s caretaker whenever Bhairav and Radha met with the other clans.”

Girja inhaled a deep breath. “On Rudra’s seventh birthday, there was a small celebration. On the same day, sweets were delivered from the Thakvar clan, who often made such friendly gestures. Those sweets were distributed among the people.”

Nandini dreaded about what would happen next.

“I recall feeling tired that night, and I thought it was because of the celebration. The children and I slept in the same room. It was sometime much later in the night I was woken up by Radha. Radha looked unusually worried and asked me to take the children with me and leave Singoor through a secret tunnel. She said there was an attack and that Bhairav and the warriors were fighting them off. Radha also gave me a pouch that contained money and information about her family. Rudra woke up right away and walked into the secret tunnel on his own. But Shambu couldn’t wake up. I struggled to wake him as I felt unusually weak and sleepy.”

---