Page 82 of Twisted Alliance

Ishani’s heart sank. Kailash Kayastha was one of the very few people to have seen Goddess Shakti’s statue unadorned.

Her father’s mentor looked at her. “Don’t worry, my child. I will try to remember whatever I can. I will describe it to Kedar, and he will draw an image.”

Kedar was Kailash Kayastha’s son and an artist.

Feeling hopeful, Ishani smiled. “Thank you, guruji.”

Kailash Kayastha asked Ishani about her mother.

“She is getting better, guruji.”

“That is such good news, my child. I recall how spirited and intelligent Sujata was. Ishwar used to always sing praises about his wife and tell me he was blessed to have her and you in his life.”

Ishani smiled with happiness. Although Kailash Kayastha had told her many times about her father’s admiration and love towards his wife and daughter, she never got tired of hearing it. She then told her father’s mentor about the clan meetings and how the peace treaties were being initiated. The elderly priest smiled while listening to her.

Soon after, Ishani joined Kailash Kayastha to visit the small temple on the retreat premises. She was surprised to see her husband joining her. She thought he would leave and return in the evening to pick her up.

But he stood next to her when they offered prayers in her father’s name.

It was late afternoon when they returned to the elderly priest’s house and bid the Kayastha family goodbye.

Her mind felt at peace when she sat in the SUV readying to head back to the Thakvar mansion.

She sneaked a look at Shivay Thakvar, and as usual, his handsome face was unreadable.

It was a silent ride through the city.

She was surprised when the SUV turned into the driveway of a tall, modern building with a lot of shiny glass around the structure. Her eyes widened when she read a name written discreetly next to the entrance.

It was a hotel, a place where people paid money to stay temporarily. She had never been to a hotel before and was intrigued.

As soon as the SUV stopped, a man in a Western suit with a tie opened the door.

“Welcome to the Palms Plaza,” the man greeted.

“Thank you,” she murmured after stepping out.

She noticed that the design was different from what she was used to seeing. While the Gujjar and Thakvar mansions were old-world royalty, the hotel had a modern luxury design. She could see glass elevators to the side of the hotel that moved up and down.

She was so lost in taking in everything she didn’t realize when a muscled arm wrapped around her waist and led her inside the building to a large lobby. She was surprised to see several tall palm trees inside the hotel. When she looked around, she noticed the place was bustling with people who mostly seemed to be foreigners and tourists.

As they walked through, she also noticed many people turning to look at her and Shivay.

Even through her veil, she could see how the women threw admiring gazes towards Shivay’s darkly handsome looks before glancing at her strangely.

She knew they must be thinking that someone like Shivay Thakvar looked completely at odds with a woman wearing a veil. Her cheeks heated with slight embarrassment.

She unconsciously stepped closer to him.

He looked at her briefly before looking back at the person standing behind a huge desk.

“Welcome to the Palms Plaza, Mr. and Mrs. Thakvar. Your Venetian suite is ready for your stay tonight. Your dinner reservation at our Michelin star restaurant, Cinnamon & Clove, is at eight. Here is your keycard and special access card, sir.”

“Thank you,” his deep voice said before taking the card and leading her away from the desk.

Ishani was shocked.

Why were they not returning home to the Thakvar mansion? It was just late afternoon, and there was plenty of time to drive back before it got too dark.

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