Page 39 of Twisted Sins

It is important that you embrace the sands of Singoor to find peace and grow a sense of home. Let the bracelet be a piece of home and guide you while you rise to new heights to find your way.

Kindness and acceptance can melt any kind of darkness away. Find a way to wade through it and find the light that will bring joy to your heart.

Remember, we are always thinking of you and can’t wait to see you soon.

With Love, Ma.

P.S. Rahul wishes you well from San Francisco.

A tear slid down her cheek as she finished reading her mother’s letter. She stared at it and read it a few more times before crumpling it and throwing it on the basket.

She was immensely relieved that Rahul was fine. With trembling hands, she picked up the bracelet from the velvet box. The bracelet had both Thakvar and Kabali clan insignias carved in intricate patterns.

Although what it represented was not acceptable to her, it was beautiful. She slipped it on her left hand, where it lay with the rest of the Kabali clan bangles.

She sat on a low table and looked outside the tent, processing her mother’s words and the several implications.

The soft sounds of bangles and anklets had her looking up as Uma entered the tent with the lunch tray.

Uma’s eyes fell on the crumpled letter and her tear-soaked eyes.

“Is everything all right?” Uma asked.

“My mother wants me to accept my marriage and embrace the Kabali clan.”

Uma looked at her and slowly nodded. “Your mother is right,” she said softly. “You must accept Rudra as your husband.”

Nandini shook her head. “I can’t! The man is cruel to me! He even has me imprisoned in the tent! How can I accept him or the Kabali clan under such circumstances?”

Uma fell silent.

Nandini looked at her. “Will you help me talk to him tonight?”

Uma looked conflicted. “Yes, I can help. But please don’t lie to Rudra anymore. You are not pregnant. Rumi checked your pulse while helping you with the bangles this morning.”

Nandini’s cheeks heated at being caught in the lie. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I had to say it because I thought he would let me go.”

Uma shook her head. “Rudra won’t ever let you go. In fact, most of the Kabali clan was against the marriage with you. They wanted Rudra to pick some other Singoor clan’s heiress to marry for an alliance.”

Nandini was shocked. “What?”

“All of us here thought you would be weak and courageless and not fit to be the Kabali clan head’s wife. But a Kabali warrior said you fought while being brought here. Many didn’t believe seeing you, and they thought you were starving yourself to die, and the Thakvar and other Singoor clans would blame us for your death. But then, you stabbed Rudra with a knife, proving your bravery and strength. You are called the Thakvar tigress by the clan.”

Nandini recalled the small, dark smile that the demon had on his face when she had stabbed him. She was married off to him the same night.

“Although Rumi is angry with you for ambushing her to escape, she told me she admires your courage and determination. Rudra will also soften towards you.”

Nandini sucked in a breath. “Yes, I hope he does.”

***

Darkness took over the sky while Nandini paced inside the tent anxiously.

She had heard the sounds of horses and eagles a while ago, and yet the demon hadn’t come into the tent.

Where the hell is he?

For the first time, she was waiting for him to return rather than wishing the opposite.

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