Page 17 of Twisted Deceit
The last resort was not a good choice for her. She would hurt her aunt and ruin her chances of ever leaving Singoor. She could not risk her aunt knowing the charade she pulled to marry the ‘man of her dreams’ but was cornered by a Thakvar. She wondered what he told her aunt about how the businessman she fell in love with happened to be a Thakvar.
"You can't escape the contract... wife," he said with a smirk on his handsome face.
With those words, he left her alone, shuddering on the inside. It felt like she had lost all control over her life. She was now a Thakvar despite everything she did to avoid the alliance.
Chapter 8
Aadhya stood in the middle of her bedroom in a dazed state after he left, processing the situation until she heard voices. One of them was her aunt’s. She wiped her face away like there might be angry tears before walking to the door with a smile.
“Where is my sweet Aadi?” Her aunt’s voice made her want to fall to the floor, beg for forgiveness, and confess but she could not.
“Rajji, so sorry I…” her aunt hushed her.
“It was a lot to handle for my sweet child. Are you feeling better now?” her aunt asked, adding, “Your husband was here to see you. You must be feeling better now.”
She nodded, trying to fake a blush. The heat that rose to her cheek, tinting it, when he was close just a couple of weeks ago, was nowhere to be seen. “Yes.”
Her aunt ran her hand over Aadhya’s cheek. “You are so lucky to have Nakul as your husband. He is so caring and considerate.”
“And fearless,” Meenabai added from behind, somewhat satirically. “Who would leave the temple in the middle of the event for his wife? That too to take her home.”
“Fearless, indeed.” Her aunt’s words held pride. “Just like your father, Aadi.”
Aadhya found it hard to meet her aunt’s eyes and excused herself to the bathroom. “I’ll be right back.” She shut the door and plastered her back to it, fighting back tears. The situation was overwhelming, and she could not tell her aunt the truth. She was deafened by her racing heart as she stepped into the shower and let the stress flow with the water. The angry sobs drowned in the running stream.
Shortly after, she stepped out of the bathroom to find a few more of the staff in her room. Her aunt looked up from the conversation with Meenabai. “Aadi, come sit here. Let’s get you ready for the evening.”
“What? Why?” she asked, scrunching her nose.
The women broke into laughter, and Meenabai shook her head. “You should be spending your nights in the tents on the holy lands, but your husband.” Meenabai let out a sigh. “He would not allow it since you are not feeling well. The boy is adamant to keep you home.”
“No. He loves her Meenabai. Aadi, you are so lucky,” her aunt said, a broad smile on her face. “He told me how he wanted you to fall for him for who he is as a person so you didn’t feel resentful about an arranged marriage. So thoughtful.”
What a web of lies her fake husband was weaving!
“That’s enough talking, everyone. Let’s prepare the bride for her first night with her husband.” Meenabai’s words made her stomach drop, but she could not find the energy to say anything.
Aadhya didn’t know how long she sat on the chair in her room as multiple women worked to prepare her for her wedding night. Her skin was softened with fragrant oil; her hair was dried with fragrant smoke; her face was prepped with turmeric for the glow. She didn’t have the heart to tell them it was all a waste. Even though they were married twice, once legally and the other traditionally, no wedding night was happening for a contract marriage.
“Finish getting her dressed. We cannot keep her husband waiting,” one of the women spoke, jolting Aadhya out of her thoughts.
“Did you set up the food for them to last the night?” another woman whispered, followed by giggles. These women had been a part of the household and were part of her growing-up years, but she never connected with them. She could not figure out if the women were trying to get her excited. It was sweet of them to try and ease her into an important night for any bride, but she was nowhere near that head space.
“That’s enough, ladies. Let’s take her to her husband now.” Meenabai’s words made everyone around her scramble to finish their tasks.
Aadhya took an extra moment to process the older woman’s voice. “Take me where?” She met Meenabai’s gaze in the mirror.
The older woman shook her head. “You were supposed to spend your first three nights on holy lands with your husband. But your husband,” she sighed and added, “We have prepared the north wing for you and your husband.”
A shiver passed through her. The north wing of the mansion had been shut down from the time her parents passed away. It was reserved only for the heir and their spouse. She had not been to that side of the mansion in years. Too many memories about her parents were attached to that part of the mansion, and even when her aunt insisted she check out the new updates, she never went. It only brought her more sadness when she thought of her parents. The main reason why she wanted to get away from Singoor.
“Everything is ready in the new wing.” Someone announced, and all the women got up. Her dress felt soft to her skin with no embellishments like she could sleep in it. She slowly stood up and waited as two women placed a heavy veil over her head, the heavy hem of the fabric keeping it from moving so it covered her face at all times.
Her steps were soft even as her heart beat hard in anticipation of the conversation she was about to have with her husband. She was in a tight spot and had to figure out another way to get out of the marriage.
Maybe make another deal?
She was still lost in thought even as she went up the wide, rounded stairs, missing out on the details of the décor that had been updated recently. She pushed aside the anxiety that surfaced from the familiarity of the space to stay focused on what she was going to say to him to set her free of the ties. Whatever way it was, it had to be aligned with the rules of the land; if not her aunt would disagree.
