Page 60 of Twisted Deceit
Nakul nodded. “Just as an icebreaker.”
Aadhya was impressed. There was no way any one clan could have pulled off such a massive re-engagement. It was what her father did, along with the other clans twenty years ago, including the Kabalis but went nowhere. She looked up at the sun setting over the mountains and thought of her father. He would have been so proud of her for marrying such a man. One who was working every minute to bring the region together and out of the turmoil.
She didn’t disturb him the rest of the way and wondered how she could help with what he and his brothers were doing. She told herself to overcome her selfish needs and find ways to work with him.
Aadhya kept to herself so he could continue working on his notes. She looked out of the window enjoying the scenery. She had not been to that part of Singoor ever but she felt at home. A region that gave her sadness was now a beacon of hope. The anxiety she used to feel about being in Singoor was non-existent. Thanks to her husband.
Temporary husband, a voice reinstated but she chose to ignore that voice.
By the time they reached the Jodha clan meeting place, she looked forward to meeting the clan head. It was led by a woman just like her aunt and she looked forward to gaining their support.
Her husband opened the door for her and she took his hand as she exited the SUV. She walked next to him in a conservative, traditional outfit. She had been in the dress all day and could not wait to get into her pajamas. He led her to a tent that was set up for the meeting. Unlike the last time, the clan meeting was not a family event, it would be a make-or-break situation.
She saw the leader of the Jodha clan to one side with her trusted clan heads; on the other side, her uncle sat with his men. Before taking one of the seats designated for them, she walked over to where her uncle sat. She bent to touch his feet for blessings before sitting next to Nakul.
She looked across the room, looking to make eye contact with someone in the Jodha clan but no one seemed to be interested. They were avoiding looking in the direction of Nakul and she was sitting. Her heart twisted at the thought of how many such meetings her husband had to endure, for the sake of the people.
Despite her being born in the region and having ties, she didn’t have the endurance to face so much animosity, and neither did many other clan heads. The reason why the land was in such turmoil. She slowly looked toward her husband and he turned to look at her at the same time. His eyes held concern for her and she smiled assuringly.
How could she not see his dedication to bring peace to the land, sooner?
Finally, the silence was broken by her husband speaking in the local dialect, with praise for the all-powerful Lord Shiva. The clan heads shifted uncomfortably in their seats as if they were taken aback by Nakul’s ability to speak the language.
Nakul led the conversations with introductions and set the stage for what they would be discussing. She noticed how much of a conviction his voice held while running the meetings. He first stated in every meeting that the Thakvar family would renounce any control over Singoor's resources, especially the oil.
Aadhya noticed the Jodha clan head’s reaction to his words. “What’s the guarantee you will not change your mind about the oil later?” a clansman asked.
Nakul shook his head. “I may change my mind, but my promise to follow the rules of the land will not alter.”
“You are business savvy and might find a way to fool others.” Jodha bai, the clan head was not trusting Nakul to stick to the peace treaty.
Aadhya knew Nakul to be patient, but his persistence was next level. As he answered questions the older woman fired away. After a few rounds of back-and-forth questions, Nakul paused before asking, “Jodha bai, what is your real concern in this matter? All I hear are excuses for not wanting peace in South Singoor.”
Jodha bai looked at the Jangid head, her uncle before looking straight at Aadhya. “The Kanwar heir, theMaaho,does not belong to this land.” She turned to look at Nakul and added, “You don’t belong to Singoor either. What do you really want?”
Aadhya had enough of the woman’s tantrums. “Respected clan head, Jodha bai, the Maaho of Kanwar is my aunt, Rajeshwari Devi Kanwar. She has been working tirelessly to bring everyone together since the time my parents passed away.”
Jodha bai shook her head. “You are the Kanwar Maaho now and this is the first time in twenty years that Kanwars have reached out to talk to us. How can we trust the Kanwar intention?”
Aadhya was taken aback by the accusation that her aunt had not been working on bringing people together. She maintained a calm manner. “My aunt took on the responsibility of the family and the clan after my parents’ demise. The way my parents passed away, was traumatic for me and everyone in my family. What was left of my parents after the accident haunted me for years and as a child I could not live in the mansion that reminded me of the tragedy. I was sent to boarding school to help heal my situation.”
She paused to get a read on the group and when there were no questions or retaliatory words, she continued, “It was so painful for my aunt, she cut off all ties that reminded her of her biggest loss. Her older brother was the mother and father she did not have.” She turned to look at her uncle, who was fighting back tears at the memory of the accident. “After the fire accident, I not only lost my parents but also my entire family on my mother’s side, until recently. Mistakes were made due to grief, trauma and now,” she paused to look at Nakul, “because of my marriage to the Thakvar heir, my husband gave me a gift of family. I may have spent decades away from this region but I am back and I belong to Singoor.”
There was a sudden silence in the tent where a hundred people were gathered. “We are on a path to peace, and I hope you will join us. Shakti wants us to be together, so she has made three marriages happen. She wants to come back to Singoor and she will not until we are all united.”
Jodhabai’s eyes flashed for a moment. “Is-is Shakti coming?” The woman’s voice was suddenly weak.
“Yes,” Nakul said with so much certainty that Aadhya thought he would reveal what they found about the sculpture, but he did not. “My parents are in the process of performing the rituals at all the temples as per the guidance. Only then can we start commissioning our Goddess.”
Aadhya noticed the surprise in her uncle’s eyes as well. Jodhabai stood up like she was done discussing but moved to where Aadhya stood.
“Maaho,” Jodha bai formally addressed her and added, “Now that you are married, you must perform the peace ritual. It will make our people feel safe and secure.”
Aadhya felt a shiver go down her spine. Fear and anxiety took root just at the thought of the ritual being performed. The one that took her parents away from her. She stood in shock, unable to respond, until her husband wrapped his arm around her gently. “Jodha bai, the ritual left two families broken forever, and we will need to—”
“We should,” she interjected and looked at Nakul. “We should perform the ritual. It was my parents' wish to perform the ritual, and they never finished it.”
With those words, Aadhya saw the shift in the room. Everyone in the room bowed to her as Jodha bai took her hand in hers. “May the Mahadev bless you with everything you wish for!”
