Page 159 of Twisted Sins

Nandini knew Girja felt weak and sleepy because of the drugged sweets.

“Radha asked me to go towards the tunnel while she picked up Shambu. But before she could reach the tunnel, the bedroom door burst open, and several masked men came in…”

Girja’s face crumpled. “I closed the tunnel entrance but could see everything from the small opening. So could Rudra. The men attacked Radha. They hit her on the head and stabbed her in the back, and yet she didn’t let go of Shambu, whom she protected until her last breath. They finally slit her throat before killing my son, who they thought was the Kabali heir.”

Tears slid down Girja’s eyes. “Shambu was three years older than Rudra, but they were the same height. When those men set fire to the Kabali fortress, everyone thought that Rudra had died in that fire too, along with his parents.”

Nandini felt sick to her stomach.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, even though the words felt inadequate.

Girja inhaled a shuddering breath. “I took Rudra away. We went through the tunnel and escaped to the holy land. With the help of Aghoris, I could leave Singoor and contact Radha’s family. Radha’s father and brothers came and took Rudra. They asked me to accompany Rudra, but I returned to the clan. I told everyone that the attackers kidnapped Shambu and me. I managed to escape, but they took Shambu along. People believed me because, at that time, a few of the children had gone missing, and a lot more were stolen in the coming years. It was only when Rudra returned after twenty years that I could tell the truth of what happened that night.”

Nandini held Girja’s hand. “Thank you for telling me. I’m sorry for making you remember such painful memories.”

Girja nodded. “I understand why you want to know what happened,” Girja said softly. “Like you, even I can’t believe that your uncle and aunt were responsible for the attack. Someone else was responsible. Bhalla told me how generous and kind the Thakvar family was. Like most men in Singoor, he was an admirer of your aunt, who he said was beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished, along with being kind and generous.”

Nandini was surprised at the soft, nostalgic look in Girja’s eyes while remembering her husband.

Girja’s eyes lowered. “Bhalla committed the biggest sin… and because I loved such a monster… God made me lose my son as punishment.”

“That’s not true,” Nandini said softly. “God didn’t make you lose your son as punishment. It’s someone’s greed that has led to all of this. Because of that person’s greed, I grew up without knowing my father was alive. My father was forced to live away from my mother and his children for twenty years.”

Anger filled her at the sheer loss and devastation so many people and families had to face due to that person’s greed.

Whoever it is will be caught soon and made to pay.

***

Later that night, Nandini dreamed of a nameless, faceless man, but she sensed the darkness and evil.

“You think you can stop me?” he laughed in an evil, menacing tone. “Many powerful men and women have tried and failed. And you are insignificant in front of them.”

Despite her fear, she stood facing him.

“I will stop you,” she challenged. “I won’t let you claim more lives.”

“You are a foolish girl to even try,” he said, approaching her.

He held a knife in his hand. Although she also had a knife, she couldn’t move. She suddenly felt paralyzed.

“I already told you that you can’t stop me,” he said.

Then, raising his knife, he brought it down to her throat.

She woke up with a gasp.

Her eyes met with burning grey ones.

“R-rudra,” she whispered.

She realized she had fallen into a restless, worried sleep and had a bad dream.

“Where were you?” she asked. “Why didn’t you return in the evening?”

After she had spoken to Girja that morning, she had been disturbed all day. She had wanted to badly see and hug Rudra. She could only imagine the helpless pain he must have felt as a seven-year-old child seeing his mother being murdered so brutally.

“I was looking for someone,” he replied while his hand brushed against her bare stomach.

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