Page 44 of Twisted Deceit
He seemed to mean well even though he held her captive by the contract. Could she trust him to do the right thing for the region?
“Rajji, do you think the region can be united again through these marriages?” she asked, and was taken aback by the surprise in her aunt’s eyes.
“Why not? Look what Nakul has done in a matter of months.” Her aunt smiled. “He not only gave you back the love you deserved but also brought Kanwars and Jangids back together, along with many other clans.”
Aadhya nodded and her aunt continued, “I had invited your mother’s family to your wedding but they chose not to attend, but look what Nakul did. Whatever he said to your mother’s family worked. And if he continues with his actions, your father’s dream of a strong partnership with our allies will be restored.”
She smiled and took her aunt’s hand in hers. “I know you were upset with Mamma’s family after the accident, and I hope you didn’t feel hurt about me meeting them.”
Her aunt tsked. “What are you saying, Aadi? I’m pleased Nakul took you to Jangid Fort. He did something I could not do for years.” She paused like she had difficulty speaking. “I said some harsh words in my agony after your parents passed away, breaking all ties for years. I regret saying those words to them but never got a chance to apologize.”
“You don’t need to, Rajji.” She leaned close to her aunt. “They understand your reaction.”
Her aunt wiped off the edge of her ear and laughed. “And we will host everyone when you and Nakul give us the good news about your baby. Hopefully sooner than later.”
Stung by guilt, Aadhya could only smile and nod. “That’ll be nice.” She lowered her eyes to the plate in front of her.
There was no way she could confess to her aunt about the contract. But what worried her most was how her aunt would take the separation when the contract ended.
As per the contract, when she had drafted it, Nakul was an outsider to Singoor, and she knew it would be easy to get him out of her life. But now, with him being a Thakvar and the binding Singoor marriage, how was she supposed to get out of the wedding and move on with her life?
One of the staff came into the dining room as Aadhya continued to toy with her food, lost in thought. “Maaho, the guests have arrived.”
That caught Aadhya’s attention. “Who are we expecting, Rajji?”
Her aunt smiled knowingly. “Why don’t you go see for yourself?”
Aadhya was confused but stood up from the table and followed the staff member to the front of the main house.
“Surprise! We made it to your place, finally.” A unified set of female voices rang in her ears. “We are here to spend the mid-semester break with you!”
Aadhya let out a squeal when she saw her friends in the living room. She had never thought her friends could visit, given the unrest in the Singoor region. “Is this for real?” She was stoked.
Every one of her friends was there in her home. A mansion that never gave her comfort now meant something else. She was still in a daze as she showed her friends to their suite for their stay. She excused herself from her friends as they freshened up and looked for her aunt.
She found her aunt in the middle of a meeting with her staff but she did not hesitate to interrupt. “Sorry, everyone,” she said, hugging and kissing her aunt. “Thank you for having my friends visit.”
Her aunt laughed, patting her cheek. “Thank your husband, Aadi. He told me to keep it a surprise for you. It was his plan and he made sure there was security all along for your friends. Go enjoy!”
She blushed when she realized the staff was also grinning at such a sweet gesture from her husband. “Sorry again to interrupt.”
Aadhya stepped out of the meeting room, grinning like a fool. She remembered his annoying response when she had said she wanted to meet her friends. That was weeks back, and for him to plan this for her was rather sweet.
Maybe he wasn’t as bad as she thought. Maybe she should thank him with another kiss when he returned that night.
*****
Nakul was reviewing a contract for a new acquisition for Thakvar Corporation when he looked up from the computer toward the double doors of the space he had been using as an office. On the other side of the double doors was his wife, looking at him with anticipation in her eyes.
She was the last person he expected to see, considering her friends from college were visiting. A trip he planned to keep her busy and away from his thoughts. He gestured for her to come in, and she opened the door and stepped in wearing a beautiful traditional outfit. She held a tray of food as she walked to him.
She looked torturously stunning as she made her way to his large desk, and he had a tough time not following the sway in her hips and the beautiful movement of the curve that was exposed at her midriff.
“This is for you. Your afternoon snacks.” She placed the tray of fresh and dry fruits and looked at him.
“Thanks, you didn’t have to bring them to me.” He leaned back, enjoying the display of her beautiful curves in the traditional outfit.
She gently shook her head, and her earrings wiggled beautifully. “That’s okay. I was anyway coming up here, so I asked Nani to give it to me to bring to you.”
