Page 164 of Twisted Sins

“Nakul has gone to the place where the statue has been kept safely for the past thirty years,” she said. “It’s a matter of time before we bring Goddess Shakti back to Singoor.”

Nandini knew her brothers would have tried to find the original statue. But she was shocked that they were close to bringing it back.

“It will be good if Goddess Shakti's statue is brought back to Singoor,” she said. “But the person responsible for getting the statue stolen and also causing the deaths of heirs has to be caught.”

“Rishab is already chasing that man,” said Gauri. “It’s a matter of time before Tantra is caught.”

Nandini looked at Gauri in shock, listening to the familiar name. “You know about Tantra?” she asked.

“Yes,” Gauri replied. “How do you know about him?”

“Tantra tried to get me kidnapped,” Nandini replied. “But Rudra found and rescued me on time. The man who was hired to kidnap me had spoken about Tantra.”

Nandini told Gauri about the Dhankar clan heir and how he was helping Tantra for money and to settle a personal score.

“All I know about Tantra is that he’s an outsider who wants to kill Rudra,” she said. “I suspect that he wants to gain access to the Singoor oil wells. That’s why he’s causing the chaos among the clans.”

Nandini’s sisters-in-law looked at each other in shock.

“Come with me,” Ishani said softly. “I want to show you something.”

Curious, Nandini followed her.

Ishani took her up the stairs to the second floor and pushed open a door. It was a two-storied library with an impressive collection of books.

Just when Nandini wondered why Ishani had brought her into the library, her eyes were drawn to the wall where there was a large portrait of a woman in traditional attire.

“That’s Nandini Thakvar,” Ishani said. “You not only have the same names, but you also look very much like your aunt.”

Nandini could see the close resemblance. “Papa told me the first time we met how much I looked like his older sister. He also told me how much she cared about the people of Singoor. I’ve heard good things about her even from people in the Kabali clan and other north Singoor clans.”

“Yes,” said Ishani. “Your aunt was admired by many for her beauty, intelligence, and courage. In fact, many sought her hand in marriage, but she vowed not to marry until peace was restored in Singoor.”

Although Nandini wanted to know more about her aunt, she wasn’t sure how it was related to the man named Tantra.

“Tantra loved your aunt,” said Ishani. “He was obsessed with her… and now, he has transferred the obsession to you.”

Nandini was stunned. “What?”

“Rishab found the island where Tantra had been living for many years. Tantra has stolen children from Singoor and trained them to become a part of his army, who look like they are a part of the Kabali clan. We don’t know what exactly he wants, but there were several sketches of your aunt, and also, your recent pictures taken at your university were found where Tantra lived.”

Nandini was creeped out.

“Why did Tantra train the children to look like they belong to the Kabali clan?” she asked.

“Your brothers think Tantra is trying to pin the blame on the Kabali clan since Kabalis are known to be savages. But based on the attacks on Shivay in Africa and other attacks here in Singoor on Rishab and Nakul, we don’t think those attackers were truly from the Kabali clan.”

Nandini was shocked and worried to know there were many attempts made to kill her brothers. She now understood why they had increased the security around her for the past year and kept her away from Singoor.

“Tantra is quite evil, Nandini,” said Ishani. “He has been killing nearly all the Singoor male heirs for many decades.”

Ishani told her about how Tantra had used Ishani’s half-brother to kill Ishani’s father and make it seem like a snake bite. Gauri’s parents were also killed, and it was made to look like they lost lives in a desert sinkhole. Aadya’s parents were killed during a ceremony, and it was made to look like a fire accident. Rudra’s parents were attacked and killed, and the blame was pinned on the Thakvars. Eventually, Tantra planned and killed Madhav Thakvar, who was Nandini’s uncle.

Nandini frowned. “But my aunt was also killed with her brother, which means Tantra was responsible for my aunt’s death. If he was in love with her, why would he order her death?”

“Tantra didn’t order her death,” Aadhya said softly, lowering her eyes. “It was my aunt Rajji who did that because she was jealous that the man she loved was in love with Nandini, who is my aunt’s best friend. My aunt Rajji convinced Nandini to join her brother Madhav Thakvar in the car for an important meeting. My aunt Rajji knew the car would meet with an accident.”

It took a while for Nandini to process the information. “Your aunt loved Tantra?” she asked.

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